This nexus consists of three overlapping categories of (i) building a virtuous managerial community, (ii) pursuing reasoned managerial discourse, and (iii) diligent and reasoned pursuit of the body of routine managerial duties such as capital budgeting and internal controls.

1. Introduction: The Nexus of Imperfect Duty and the Ethical Norm.- 2.Kant’s Categorical Imperative and Moral Duties.- 3. The Nexus of Managerial Duty and its Conceptual Advantages.- 4. Relations of Virtue.- 5. Reasoned Managerial Decisions.- 6. Due Diligence and the Profit Motive: Perfect Or Imperfect Duty?.- 7. Managers, Virtues, and Dispositions?.- 8. Fair Negotiations.- 9. Management Perquisites and Imperfect Duty.    

This book uses Kant's idea of imperfect duty to extend the theory of the firm. Unlike perfect duty which is contractual or otherwise legally binding, imperfect duty consists of those commitments of choice that pursue some moral value, but that have practical limits to their pursuit. The author presents a broad view of the imperfect duties of management, defined as a nexus of all commitments to do good involving relations internal and external to the firm. This nexus consists of three overlapping categories of (i) building a virtuous managerial community, (ii) pursuing reasoned managerial discourse, and (iii) diligent and reasoned pursuit of the body of routine managerial duties such as capital budgeting and internal controls. Specific applications of the nexus theory for stakeholder relations via fair negotiation, and for analysis of the effects on the managerial team of perquisite consumption are presented.This book has major implications for research in business ethics and allows critical insights into managerial decision making.

“With his background in economics and finance, Robinson’s conception of the philosophical underpinnings regarding imperfect duty is a valuable and insightful extension to the contracts theory of the firm.  Its relevance to stakeholder and managerial relations are significant and worth consideration.” (Dr. James E. Payne, Provost, Benedictine University, USA)

Poses a norm to better grasp the ethical or non-ethical behavior of managers Classifies imperfect managerial duuty into three broad categories Describes a managerial nexus of imperfect duty that makes clear the trade-offs involved