The marketplace is an efficient arrangement for the satisfaction of economic interests. The realization of values, however, depends upon community-wide dialogue about the symbols, ideals, principles, and ideas of its culture. In short, economics and politics not founded on the Ethics of the community are without purpose and meaning. Ethics without economics and politics has no means to achieve community ends. Organizations as Communities .
Organizational integrity is ultimately tribe-like, but it is a tribe that learns.
It is the purposeful, knowledgeable, trusting exercise of authority in service to a broader community. We are first and foremost members of organized groups, with shared histories and established practices, and the organization itself is a member of a larger community. Membership Belonging and recognition are integral aspects of membership in a community. In any organization, there are overlapping and concentric circles of identity and responsibility, and a virtue in one arena may conflict with a virtue in another. Excellence An organization must encourage and insist upon service with excellence and defend the ideal of a meritocracy, a system in which excellence is honored and mediocrity is not.