While Chair of the Philosophy Department in 1974 Michael Hoffman traveled to Washington D.C. to investigate why the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) had rejected his proposal to develop three interdisciplinary courses in business ethics, he had no idea that their rationale would be so simple.
“We have never heard of business ethics.”
That was the response the director of programs at the NEH gave based on the proposal reviews from his committee.
“This was not surprising because at that time, there was no real academic field or curriculum centered around the concept of business ethics,” said Hoffman.
Writing in the Harvard Business Review in 1958, Theodore Levitt stated, “Business must fight as if it were at war. And, like a good war, it should be fought gallantly, daringly, and above all, not morally.”
Levitt’s statement captured the attitude that had persisted at that time—the view that business is a morality-free zone. Hoffman dared not to accept this outlook, which led him to apply for a grant to establish business ethics courses at Bentley at a time when few had even heard of the term.
After requesting to take a look at the proposal reviews, Hoffman found no critical or rational comments from the committee members. The embarrassed NEH director told Hoffman that he wanted him to reapply for the grant, and that he was sorry for the oversight from his committee.
Soon after reapplying, Hoffman was presented with the funding and the teaching of business ethics at Bentley University commenced.
The creation of Bentley’s Center for Business Ethics
The grant issued by the NEH not only allowed Hoffman to weave business ethics into the foundation of
Bentley’s curriculum, but it allowed him to launch Bentley’s Center for Business Ethics (CBE), which celebrates its 40th anniversary this summer.
Founded in 1976, the center is credited with being a major influence in the development and success of the business ethics movement, both in the United States and around the world.
In the last 40 years, Bentley’s CBE has brought together a roster of national figures to affirm a new vision of responsible business, while remaining dedicated to educating the business leaders of tomorrow. Through a series of international conferences, national publications, teaching seminars and course implementation strategies, the Center continues to successfully live out its mission. (Learn more about the CBE’s history.)
“Every year, more than 1,500 business professionals leave Bentley with newly minted undergraduate and graduate degrees, joining global conglomerates, startups, Wall Street firms, non-profits and professional and financial services firms,” said Bentley President Gloria Larson.
“Our goal is to ensure that all graduates understand the enhanced value of business practices that embody the ideals of the CBE.”
Celebrating a legacy
To celebrate the CBE’s 40th anniversary, the Center hosted an academic conference and gala, inviting more than 65 previous visiting scholars from around the world who have worked with the Center and 17 Verizon Visiting Professors who have come to present public lectures at Bentley over the past four decades.
In a special announcement from President Gloria Larson, the Center was also officially named the W. Michael Hoffman Center for Business Ethics. This honor recognizes Hoffman’s 40 years of distinguished service to the university and visionary leadership in the international business ethics movement.
“Mike was one of the original pioneers in this arena, helping to create business ethics as a critically important field of study over the course of his long career,” shared President Larson. “He has spent a lifetime combining the scholarly underpinnings of ethical conduct, corporate social responsibility, and sustainability with actual business practices.”
“We are all better for the work Mike and his team have done with the Center.”