Religion and Management

From the Viewpoint of the Management Study of Religion

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between religion and management from the viewpoint of the management study of religion. In religious studies, the word “management” conveys an odd image. There are two factors at play here. First, the word management instantly brings to mind images of “profit making” or “profit seeking.” Second, the concept of managing a religious organization is inherently different to that of running a business entity. Obviously, however, both religious organizations and companies are socially constructed by human actions. In this sense, these two should be analyzed in the same arena. Therefore, scholars of religion may have something to learn from scholars of company, and vice versa. As a first step, I discuss the perspective of the management study of religion. Next, I discuss the relationship between religious thoughts and management philosophies. Then, I examine the similarities between religious organizations and companies. Finally, in order to deepen discussions on the similarities between the two, I focus on the “secrets of management,” which is a common problem both in religion and companies.