The Ethical Basis of HRM Professionalism and Codes of Conduct

In this chapter the extent, feasibility and desirability of the professionalisation of HRM and HRM professionalism is discussed. It will be argued that there are three broad marks of a profession. First, it meets a human need. Second it applies knowledge to this need, and third a profession has a social grant of authority. More specific criteria can be found in the literature, for example, one condition of full professionalisation is a self-enforced code of ethics and conduct. The question of feasibility and desirability of professionalisation is explored using the more specific criteria and the ethical framework of Neo-Aristotelian Virtue Ethics (NAVE). The chapter explores how HRM presently lacks some professional features but advocates pursuit of the professionalisation of HRM via adoption of the “concessional”, constitutional model of corporations (Bottomley, 1990; 1997; Dine 2000; 2005) and the addition of some features to reflect the monitoring role and contribution of HRM as corporate “conscience.”