Rethinking relation in humanistic business

Two trends have emerged in economics and management literature. On the one hand, there is a 'systemic' approach, which, in line with the complexity paradigm, examines the interaction between subsystems – particularly between business, society, and nature. On the other hand, there is a 'humanistic' approach, which places people at the centre of business activity. However, despite the central role played in both paradigms by the concept of relation, no attempt has been made to thematise it explicitly. More recently, within the humanistic management perspective, Melé's (2024) proposal has made a significant contribution by redefining business in terms of a person-centred philosophical anthropology. In this context, the concept of a 'relationholder' provides valuable insights into the formal cause of the firm. However, we argue that this concept can realise its full potential if integrated into a metaphysics of the person that restores the individual's teleological dimension. This requires a radical rethinking of the concept of 'relation' understood as an act inherent to the person rather than a status occurring between persons and this enables the teleological dimension of the individual to emerge. In conclusion, we argue that by rooting a theory of business in a philosophical anthropology that gives primacy to the person and by grounding the person in a metaphysics that prioritises the final cause over the other causes, by virtue of a radical rethinking of the concept of relation, it is possible to achieve a better understanding of the nature, scope and purpose of business activity

Humanism · Metaphysics · Teleology · Family Business Performance and Succession