The Virtuousness of Ethical Networks: How to Foster Virtuous Practices in Nonprofit Organizations
研究基于美德伦理理论，通过分析意大利社会护理领域最大的伦理网络，发现共享的伦理价值观和宗教信仰促进网络构建，并提出一个四层次循环模型，说明伦理网络如何在战略、制度、组织和关系层面培养成员组织的美德实践。
Ethical networks are an emerging form of social alliance based on collaboration between organizations that share a common ethical commitment. Grounded in a theoretical framework of virtue-based business ethics and focusing on nonprofit alliances, this study investigates the virtuousness of ethical networks; that is, how they trigger virtuous practices in their member nonprofit organizations. Adopting a qualitative grounded theory approach, the study focuses on one of the largest Italian ethical networks of nonprofit organizations operating in the social care sector. The findings show that shared ethical values and religious beliefs are positively associated with ethical network building. Based on these findings, a circular model of virtuousness is proposed in which ethical networks foster virtuous practices among their members at four levels: (1) the strategic orientation level, (2) the institutional level, (3) the organizational level, and (4) the relational level. At each of these levels, ethical networks foster a habituation to virtues and the propagation of virtuous behaviors among their members. Theoretical, practical, and social implications of the research findings are discussed.