Foundationalism in Management: Bridging Divine Ethics and Secular Praxis

This article examines the types of Foundationalism in management and analyzes its importance in the contemporary world. In a situation where corporations are as powerful as governments, the principles of managerial decision-making have profound moral and social implications. By comparing religious (Islamic) and non-religious paradigms, this article shows how divine morality can challenge the relativism of secular models and offer a new path to synchronize profit and spirituality. Based on principles such as justice, trustworthiness, and public interest, Islamic management is introduced as a moral compass that is not only concerned with profitability, but also with responsibility towards society and the environment. In contrast, secular models, with their high flexibility, sometimes come into conflict with ethical principles and sustainability. Examples such as the Boeing 737 Max crisis and the success of Islamic banking in Bangladesh clearly demonstrate the central role of these fundamental principles in the success or failure of organizations. The results show that religious Foundationalism, while offering ethical and sustainable solutions, requires sacrifices that secular models usually avoid. At the same time, secular paradigms, despite their strengths, are vulnerable to corruption and deviation due to the lack of fixed and divine principles. The article suggests that integrating religious ethics with secular frameworks, such as environmental, social and governance (ESG) investing, can be an effective way to respond to contemporary management challenges. This article transforms Foundationalism from an abstract discussion to a tangible reality in boardrooms and supply chains, emphasizing the necessity of choosing ethical principles for future management.