Fourth Annual IECO-RCC International Colloquium “Building Trust in Organizations through Meaningful Work."

Date: 

Monday, April 4, 2016, 9:30am to 2:00pm

Location: 

RCC Seminar Room, 26 Trowbridge St., Cambridge, MA 02138

RCC is pleased to announce this event organized by the Institute for the Ethics in Communication and Organizations (IECO).The purpose of the Colloquium is to bring together leading scholars and practitioners to shed light on what it takes to promote a workplace environment that brings out the best in people, creating not only trust, but also organizations that thrive.

The First IECO-RCC International Colloquium (2013) focused on The Role of Ethics, Values and Dignity in Building Trust” was recorded and is available at Harvard University’s YouTube Channel. The Second IECO-RCC International Colloquium (2014) examined The Role of Moral and Spiritual Motivation in Building Trust” (See on YouTube). And the Third IECO-RCC International colloquium (2015) focused on Developing Trust and Ethically Healthy Organizations through Humanistic Management.” (See on YouTube).

In today’s context, where employees are evaluated according to what they produce and how much they produce, there is a risk of also valuing them and their work following exclusively production related criteria, an approach that can easily erode the dignity of employees. There is a need, hence, to redefine the meaning of work not subject to the only criteria of efficiency and effectiveness. The aim of this colloquium is to bring together leading scholars and practitioners to shed light and foster dialogue on the issue of meaningful work and how some companies and employees make meaning of their work in challenging contexts. As a core element of the discussion, panelists will raise awareness of the value of professional work, not just as a job or a career, but also as a calling for personal flourishment, service and caring.

Guest speakers:

William English, PhD, Edmond J. Safra Center for Ethics, Harvard University (Moderator).

Lynn Barendsen, Graduate School of Education, Harvard University.

Frank Daly, CBE Executive Fellow, Bentley University.

Donna Hicks, PhD, Weatherhead Center for International Affairs, Harvard University.

Santiago Martínez, Finland IECO Researcher, University of Valencia.

Michael G. Pratt, PhD, Carroll School of Management, Boston College.

Sponsors: IECO Research Institute, University of Valencia and Real Colegio Complutense  

Contact: Manuel Guillen and Kim Conant