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Towards a Multi-Ends Leadership for the Common Good of
Business and Society: A Conceptual Paper
Emiliano Di Carlo, Cristina Quaranta
Pages - 77 - 101 | Revised - 30-09-2025 | Published - 31-10-2025
Published in Special Issue of 3rd Business Research & Management (BRM) Conference: Towards A More Sustainable World (SIBRM13)
MORE INFORMATION
KEYWORDS
Common Good, Corporate Purpose, Real Entity, Stakeholder Theory, Leadership.
ABSTRACT
This conceptual paper explores the nexus between “corporate purpose” and “leadership” in order
to answer the following research question: “How can a leader steer the organization and its
members toward the common good for both business and society?”
A review of the literature on leadership linked to corporate purpose has been adopted as the most suitable for finding results. The synthesis of the review accentuates the pressing need for an ethical context underpinned by leadership styles that embrace diverse moral attitudes towards stakeholders. However, the pursuit of such an ethical paradigm may has elicited concerns about potential economic repercussions that could compromise a firm’s survival and long-term growth.
The work considers a multi-dimensional objective of the firm consistent with the common good, a concept that represents a superior interest that harmonizes financial, environmental, and social variables. This purpose asks for a multi-dimensional leadership style since leaders must cultivate deliberate cognitive processes and harmonize all variables involved, ensuring the enterprise’s continuity while also upholding the well-being of its internal and external stakeholders.
In response the authors introduce a novel leadership paradigm—the Multi-Ends Leadership (MEL). The underpinning theory of MEL brings innovation by weaving together three distinct theories: the real entity theory, the stakeholder theory, and the common good theory, analyzing their strengths and weaknesses. Practitioners can adopt MEL as an integrated leadership approach that transcends dichotomies between individual-focused leadership and organizational success. By leveraging the strengths of various leadership theories while maintaining focus on sustained equilibrium and long-term continuity, MEL can effectively manage the complexities of a rapidly changing business landscape.
A review of the literature on leadership linked to corporate purpose has been adopted as the most suitable for finding results. The synthesis of the review accentuates the pressing need for an ethical context underpinned by leadership styles that embrace diverse moral attitudes towards stakeholders. However, the pursuit of such an ethical paradigm may has elicited concerns about potential economic repercussions that could compromise a firm’s survival and long-term growth.
The work considers a multi-dimensional objective of the firm consistent with the common good, a concept that represents a superior interest that harmonizes financial, environmental, and social variables. This purpose asks for a multi-dimensional leadership style since leaders must cultivate deliberate cognitive processes and harmonize all variables involved, ensuring the enterprise’s continuity while also upholding the well-being of its internal and external stakeholders.
In response the authors introduce a novel leadership paradigm—the Multi-Ends Leadership (MEL). The underpinning theory of MEL brings innovation by weaving together three distinct theories: the real entity theory, the stakeholder theory, and the common good theory, analyzing their strengths and weaknesses. Practitioners can adopt MEL as an integrated leadership approach that transcends dichotomies between individual-focused leadership and organizational success. By leveraging the strengths of various leadership theories while maintaining focus on sustained equilibrium and long-term continuity, MEL can effectively manage the complexities of a rapidly changing business landscape.
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Dr. Emiliano Di Carlo
Business and Economics/Department of Management and Law, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, 00133 - Italy
Dr. Cristina Quaranta
Business and Economics/Department of Management and Law, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, 00133 - Italy
quarantacristina.net@gmail.com
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