In this paper, we reflect on the role of the Other in ethical decision‐making in corporations. The Other, in the form of a corporation's stakeholders, has already been discussed in the scientific literature, but there are still some Others that remain unconsidered and that call on corporations to be responsible. Drawing on the philosophy of Levinas, we wish to highlight a green earth and future generations as two non‐immediate Others within a corporation's group of stakeholders whose voices are silenced. We argue that Levinasian ethics can be used as a framework to extend traditional stakeholder theory in a dynamic sphere. With this model, corporations can understand the vital role that both a green earth and future generations play in their existence and can respond to contingencies by considering delays. We enrich our paper with illustrative cases to present some serious environmental disasters that have occurred as a result of ignoring the Other. Finally, we show that understanding the Other as a part of a corporation's identity can create new avenues for “infinite responsibility” towards Others. We contribute to the relevant literature by highlighting that both a green earth and future generations are important but ignored stakeholder parties whose claims urgently need to be addressed.

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Two forces that dramatically affect the sustainability of firms' competitive advantage in the new competitive landscape have been identified as globalization and information and communication technologies (ICTs), such as the Internet and intranets (e.g., Castells, 2000; Porter, 2001). Organizations often rely on acquired knowledge from past experiences to make higher quality decisions on business strategies for better future performance. In this context, Knowledge Management (KM) and Organizational Memory (OM) become a central issue to the effectiveness of strategic decision-making and organizational performance. This paper examines the relationship between the (re)use of knowledge/organizational memory (OM) and the effectiveness of strategic decision-making in devising corporate strategies. As part of an exploratory case study approach, a number of interviews are being conducted among top executives at a multi-national firm. As a framework, the components of the modified version of McLean's IS Success Model by Jennex & Olfman (2002) are being used to examine for the impact of knowledge strategy and technological resources, along with the impact of individuals and members from wider organizational context on strategic decision making processes. These components are then analyzed within Galliers' (2002) IS Strategy Framework of emergent and deliberate strategizing. The analysis accounts for the inter-subjectivity of the concept of KM. Results from a continuous longitudinal study have clearly shown the significance of culture and human-driven knowledge requirements along side the use of an ERP system as part of an OMS. On-going findings of this study aim to contribute to a richer understanding of the impact of knowledge and OM/OMS on Organizational Learning (OL) and the effectiveness of managerial decision processes. In the context of the IS Success Model, this paper highlights the intermingled approaches to organizational knowledge management practices due to the contextual nature of knowledge and the human need for social interaction .

PurposeTo respond to recent calls for better understanding of the complexities related to happiness management, especially from the employees' perspective, this study examines how corporate volunteering (CV), as one form of corporate social responsibility (CSR), creates sustainable happiness in business organizations.Design/methodology/approachTheoretical knowledge of CSR and CV as well as the literature on happiness management was examined to form a preliminary understanding of the phenomenon. The empirical section includes a qualitative multiple case study including two company cases of CV in Finland. The data were collected through qualitative interviews. Empirical analysis was made using thematical coding based on existing theory but also by allowing themes to emerge inductively from the data as well.FindingsThe study found that CV enables the emergence of sustainable happiness by allowing individual employee volunteers to transition from individual and rational mindsets to collective and emotional mindsets. A third transition was also identified, a process of change in the volunteers' approach in life that the authors describe as “from actual to potential”.Originality/valueThe study provides a theoretical contribution to the existing literature on happiness management by identifying the third dimension, from actual to potential, and depicting the way this allows employees to move from a state of being to becoming and thus the emergence of sustainable happiness. The study also contributes to existing literature on CV and CSR by revealing the way CV, as a form of practical CSR activity, generates happiness. This study concludes that companies' strategic activities that engage with society can create sustainable happiness for employees who participate. In order to achieve this, volunteering employees should have the chance to reflect on their experience and constant support from managers.

The aim of this paper is to identify benefits of corporate volunteer programs gained on employee behaviors' side. Specifically, the following research question is posed: what benefits of corporate volunteer projects can be observed by employees participating in them?Methodology/approach: The paper is based on a qualitative study conducted in the form of semistructured in-depth individual interviews with employees participating in volunteer programs. Findings:The study shows that corporate volunteering leads to positive effects on employees, including increased work meaningfulness, competence development and strengthened interpersonal relationships at work. Simultaneously, the study suggests that work meaningfulness plays a focal role in the overall process.Implications: Results of the study deliver practical implications for companies implementing corporate volunteering. Volunteer programs should be organized in a way giving employees full autonomy in crafting their projects. The programs should also support and intensify employee interactions and favor volunteer actions requiring a wide range of skills.Originality/value: The study contributes to theory development in the field of both corporate social responsibility and organizational behavior. Specifically, it gives an insight on how responsible business practices may strengthen employees' sense of meaningfulness of work and subsequently improve their competences and mutual relations.