Introduction
The King II Report is a cornerstone of corporate governance in South Africa, which sparked a debate about the role of the African philosophy of Ubuntu in shaping business responsibility. This article analyzes the tension between local values and global ESG standards. It reveals whether Ubuntu served as a genuine foundation or merely a symbolic gesture. We will delve into the report's true Western origins, such as stakeholder theory and Kantian ethics, which promote the idea of the corporation as a moral citizen.
The King II Report: African Roots and the Authenticity Debate
The King II Report is crucial for corporate governance in South Africa, yet it sparks controversy regarding its African roots. The document references the philosophy of Ubuntu, emphasizing values such as consensus and communality. Critics, however, argue that this is a superficial gesture. Ubuntu appears as a contextual backdrop rather than the report's analytical foundation. Its role seems primarily legitimizing – intended to embed global ideas within local culture, while the actual conceptual framework was imported.
Ubuntu vs. Kantian Ethics: Divergent Visions of Responsibility
The true philosophical foundations of the King II Report lie in Western thought. It is based on Edward Freeman's stakeholder theory, which views the corporation as a social entity, not merely an economic one. Underlying this is Kantian ethics, with its imperative to treat humanity always as an end, never merely as a means. The philosophy of Ubuntu, based on community ('I am because we are'), rejects instrumentalization due to its destructive impact on relationships. Kantian ethics, in contrast, does so in the name of protecting individual autonomy and dignity. King II creates a hybrid: Kantian duty-based ethics provides its formal foundations, while Ubuntu lends cultural dimension and social legitimacy.
The Corporation as a Citizen: Pillars of Three Philosophical Debates
The concept of the corporate citizen in King II is a synthesis of three key debates. First, it rejects Milton Friedman's doctrine in favor of corporate social responsibility (CSR). Second, in the debate over corporate moral agency, it sides with Peter French, recognizing the company as an entity capable of having intentions and bearing responsibility. Third, it implements stakeholder theory, mandating consideration of the interests of employees, customers, and the community. However, a tension exists between declarations and practice: although the philosophy is inclusive, the formal duties of the board are still primarily defined towards shareholders.
Conclusion
The evolution from King II to King IV strengthens the idea of the corporation as a social entity, for which its license to operate depends on the quality of its relationships with its environment. In response to the need to deepen this thinking, new concepts are emerging, such as OMNIBUS (Responsibility, Morality, Normativity, Inclusivity, Being, Participation, Solidarity). This calls for the transformation of ESG from a procedure into a moral practice. The King Report reminds us that the corporation is part of the community. Can we build an economy where ethics is not merely a facade for a game of interests?
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