DEFINITIONS

Cambridge Advanced Learners Dictionary defines Ethos as the set of beliefs, ideas, etc. about social behaviour and relationship of a person or group. Ethos: the characteristic spirits and belief of community which expresses itself in the ways the members of the community live, take life, do things at work and in leisure, and think. Culture, tradition & customs shape the spirit or ethos of a community.

INDIAN ETHOS
Formally, the body of knowledge which derives its solutions from the rich and huge Indian system of ethics (moral philosophy) is known as Indian Ethos in Management (IEM). It is already becoming clear that a chapter which had a western beginning in business management will have to have an Indian ending, when the world adopts rich thoughts of Indian ethos and wisdom, if it is not to end in the self-destruction of the human race. Arnold Toynbee, Nobel Laureate

INDIAN ETHOS
India has a diverse culture, but despite the diversity there is a commonality that distinguishes Indians from Westerners. Most Indians, regardless of religion, are familiar with ancient Indian texts like the Upanishads, Vedas, Ramayana, Mahabharata, Panchatantra stories & Jataka tales. These texts deal with management of self and living in harmony with the rest of nature & environment.

MANAGEMENT
Management is defined as attainment of organizational goals in an effective and efficient manner through planning, organizing, leading and controlling organizational resources. Management is a systematic way of doing all activities in any field of human endeavour. It is about keeping oneself engaged in interactive relationship with other human beings in the course of performing ones duty. Its task is to make people capable of joint performance.

Basic principles of IEM

The world of mind and matter is but an appearance of a deeper reality which lies beyond the perception of our sense. One cannot simply interpret reality as perceived by the senses one must explain both sides of reality the changing & the unchangeable, impermanent & permanent. The basic unit of social life in India is the family the guardian, protector, mentor. The wider social networks, social organisations, cultural institutions, work place & State are extensions of the family. The unity of family life & values such as discipline, obedience, respect for elders & interdependence are to be projected to other institutions of which one is a member.

Basic principles of IEM

Work is a value, an offering to the divine. The joy of work and the opportunity to serve are stressed. Work is worship. Indian thought emphasizes the concept of balance. We develop an attachment to those we like and get pleasure from gaining them, and pain from being deprived of them. Both pleasure and pain are transitory. A balanced mind is aware of the transitory nature of these pleasures and pains and does not develop an attachment.

Basic principles of IEM

Every human being has immense potential, energy and talents for perfection as the ultimate principle of intelligence is present in everyone. Every being is divine & therefore worthy of respect. Holistic approach indicating unity between the Divine (The Divine means perfection in knowledge, wisdom and power), individual self and the universe.

One must develop ones Third Eye, the Eye of Wisdom, Vision, Insight and Foresight. Inner resources (Divine virtues) are much more powerful than outer resources (Capital, materials and plant & machinery).

Basic principles of IEM

Karma Yoga (selfless work) offers double benefits, private benefit in the form of self purification and public benefit. Yogah Karmasu Kaushalam - Excellence at work through self-motivation and self development with devotion and without attachment. Co-operation is a powerful instrument for team work and success in any enterprise involving collective work.

VALUES AND ETHICS

Ethics are the principles of right & wrong that are accepted by an individual, community, corporate entities or a social group. Values are our standards of right & wrong. Whether something is right or wrong is not a matter of fact, but rather of opinion. An action may be right for a certain individual but wrong for another, and this sense of right or wrong is based on our values.

Values are learnt from childhood from the contacts one has with persons, stories or situations. Fables & fairy tales reflect morals which are not explicitly articulated but implicitly conveyed. Characters are divided into good or bad, allowing children to decide whom they would like to emulate.

VALUES AND ETHICS

Positive values:
Honesty Commitment Obedience Humility Purity Respect for others Thoughtfulness Fairness Pursuit of excellence

Negative Values
- Untruth - Falsification - Greed - Anger - Hatred - Jealousy - Excessive pride

VALUES IN INDIAN CULTURE

Respect for the individual Cooperation & trust Top quality product/service Work is worship Contentment Ethical soundness Self-discipline & self-restraint Customer satisfaction Creativity Sharing Renunciation Detachment

VALUES IN INDIAN CULTURE

Modern management principles (planning, leading, organizing, vision, mission, teamwork, motivation etc.) are highlighted in Bhagvad Geeta.

The Geeta focuses on management of values through cultivating a sound philosophy of life. It does not undermine the western approach towards management, but focuses on Indias holistic attitude of lokasangraha for the welfare of many/good of many.

VALUES VS. SKILLS

To become, we need values. To do, we need skills. Becoming (needing values) must precede doing (needing skills). Values should act as the basis of the skills acquired. Values are internal, dealing with internal development of a person, purifying mind and heart. Skills on the other hand only make a person proficient. Values are the means of perfection of personality.

VALUES VS. SKILLS

Values bring about excellence and universal good. Skills see us through mechanics of management. Skills are not enduring, values are. Skills change with passage of time. Policy is flexible, principles and values are not. We have permanent fundamental values. Skills must pass through the corridors of values and the corridors have to be kept not dark and untidy, but well lit and clean.

MANAGEMENT CONCEPTS
Term Management General Definition Getting things done IEM Definition Helping others to produce extraordinary results. People centric

Productivity Motivation of people

Output centric

Maslows Theory Emphasis on of Needs self-motivation

MANAGEMENT CONCEPTS
Term Resources General Definition Reliance on external resources Emphasis on taking not giving. Rights become primary, duties subsidiary Focus job enrichment IEM Definition Reliance on internal resources Emphasis on giving not taking. Duties given great importance, rights secondary Focus mind enrichment

Rights and duties

Focus

MANAGEMENT CONCEPTS
Term

Profitability

General Definition In terms of money. Social costs not included

IEM Definition

Placement

As per qualifications & experience

In terms of good public image. Social costs internalized. Trust of customers & society As per natural inclination & character