Cooperation and Competition in the Context of Organic and Mechanic Worldviews - A Theoretical and Case based Discussion

Authors: Ims, Knut¹; Jakobsen, Ove²

Source: Journal of Business Ethics, Volume 66, Number 1, June 2006 , pp. 19-32(14)

Publisher: Springer

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Abstract:

In this study we argue that there is an interconnection between; the mechanistic worldview and competition, and the organic worldview and cooperation. To illustrate our main thesis we introduce two cases; first, Max Havelaar, a paradigmatic case of how business might function in an economy based upon solidarity and sustainability. Second, TINE, a Norwegian grocery corporation engaged in collusion in order to force a small competitor out of the market. On the one hand, in order to encourage market behaviour that integrates economic, societal and environmental values we find that transparent cooperation within a context of an organic worldview takes care of important intrinsic as well as instrumental values. On the other hand, we find evidence for asserting that cooperation based upon a mechanistic worldview, typically leads to group egotistical consequences undermining the long term common good.

Keywords: collusion; competition; cooperation; fair trade; mechanistic worldview; organic worldview; sustainability

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10551-006-9055-z

Affiliations: 1: Email: Knut.Ims@nhh.no 2: Email: ove.jakobsen@hibo.no

Publication date: 2006-06-01