Title: The transcendent character of the company

Authors: Bengt Gustavsson

Addresses: School of Business, Stockholm University, S-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden

Abstract: This paper discusses an alternative HRM-model based on a transcendent perspective of human consciousness. Drawing from the rich descriptions in the European and Indian philosophical traditions, the problems of identification of the self with the outer objects/definitions are highlighted. It is argued that the real and true self is found in the transcendent self, free of empirical content. The qualities of the transcendent self are the transcendent character of the individual. It is also argued that the transcendent character can be seen on macro-levels, e.g. in an organisation. The transcendent consciousness is claimed to be inter-individual and the degree to which the transcendent is enlivened sets the frame for the organisation and its behaviour. Empirical studies have indicated the individual as well as organisational transcendent character.

Keywords: organisational character; transcendent; consciousness; group consciousness; HRM; idealism; Veda; identity; unlearning; meditation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHRDM.2003.001042

International Journal of Human Resources Development and Management, 2003 Vol.3 No.1, pp.17-28

Published online: 18 Aug 2003 *

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