Pope farsighted to involve youth in new economic culture

By Frida Toppo

Bengaluru: Caren Rodrigues, Assistant Professor at St. Joseph’s Institute of Management, Bengaluru, has been selected as a delegate to the global summit on “Economy of Francesco” commissioned by Pope Francis.

She teaches Organizational Behavior, Organizational Structure and Design, Human Resources Management, Research Methods, Performance Management; International HRM, and Entrepreneurship.

Her research interests include expatriate issues in organizations, “global careers,” intercultural contact in organizations, diversity; and corporate social responsibility.

For the global summit, Rodrigues was selected in the researcher category by an expert committee that evaluated thousands of applications from more than 120 countries and many religions.

Frida Toppo of Matters India spoke with Rodrigues through email. Excerpts:

Matters India: Congratulations. What is this ‘Economy of Francesco’ all about?

Caren Rodrigues: Thank you for the kind wishes and for interviewing me.

The Economy of Francesco was commissioned by Pope Francis for young people to conceptualize a new economic model and to propose concrete economic solutions that are environmentally sustainable and that promote justice and dignity for all, especially the disadvantaged.

There are two major events in the Economy of Francesco. The first, November 19-21, was entirely online. In the second event, the Pope would like to meet the participants face-to-face in Assisi, Italy.

While the pandemic compelled this two-part format, the summit also meant that the Economy of Francesco evolved spontaneously from a three-day event to a movement of young specialists, who, for months, will have exchanged and collaborated virtually, so that a new economic thought and action can emerge.

What was your feeling when you were selected for this summit?

I am excited to be a part of the Economy of Francesco. It was farsightedness of Pope Francis to actively solicit the contribution of young management and economics researchers in his endeavor.

I have participated enthusiastically in all the activities so far: brainstorming, workshops and dialogues with experts over several months, and in the online event in November.

How is the Economy of Francesco going to impact the world at large according to you?

I am optimistic that the Economy of Francesco will indeed accomplish Pope Francis’ stated mission. He specifically called for the movement to consist of young people, because he believed that we have passion for the things that excite us, concern us and make us indignant. He wanted young people to channel their passion into reflection, precision and serious work as they collaborate across countries, religions, ideologies and experiences to give birth to a new economic culture.

The Pope will then use his stature to appeal to organizations and individuals who are already working on the global level to create an economy consistent with these ideals.

Why did the Pope choose Assisi to launch the Economy of Francesco?

It is telling that the Pope chose to base this new movement in Assisi, the home of Saint Francis, in whose honor the Pope assumed his papal name.

In Pope Francis’ own words, St Francis of Assisi “changed history” because he stood up “against the luxury, pride (and) vanity of the civil and ecclesiastical powers of the time.”

Saint Francis lived among and served the lepers, the sick and other poor and outcasts of his time. He also believed that people should be in communion with nature and not in conflict with it.

Pope Francis visualizes a radical reconceptualization of the economy that works for all people, including disadvantaged people and developing countries, and is in harmony with nature: much like Saint Francis’ philosophy hundreds of years ago.

Your proposal in the online event was one of the 12 best that would help the world move forward through the Economy of Francesco. It will be promoted among national governments, international agencies and organizations. You proposed a new HRM paradigm that can serve as a gift to employees while creating economic value for organizations. Please elaborate on it.

My research examines HRM-related actions of around 200 national governments, 600 large companies as well as interviews with employees and managers, to specify tangible changes in HRM practices that will break away from the current transactional relationship between organizations and employees.

My proposal is explicitly addressed to large national and multinational organizations because their practices become norms for other organizations to emulate. It is also addressed to international multilateral agencies because their frameworks and conventions institutionalize management paradigms in organizations.

You integrate the fair principles of the free market with organizational social responsibility to promote the common good. What does it mean?

My research relevant to the conference falls into three bodies: the first deals with for-profit firms and their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities towards disadvantaged groups.

The second uses a business and management lens for issues affecting urban informal sector workers. The third covers exclusion and unfair practices in firms. These pieces of research integrate the fair principles of the free market–that is, encouraging firms to foster innovation, healthy competition, sustainable profits and meet employees’ needs – with organizational social responsibility – which are HRM policies and CSR and other practices that promote the common good.

What role do Bengaluru’s St Joseph’s Institute of Management and the Jesuit fathers who manage it play in your life?

I began my teaching and research career at St. Joseph’s Institute of Management and have been Assistant Professor here since 2016.

The institute is part of the larger St. Joseph’s group of Jesuit institutions which have catered to Bengaluru’s educational needs for over a century.

Our students come from diverse linguistic, religious, regional and socioeconomic backgrounds, but there is a familial atmosphere and teaching them is an enjoyable experience.

As an organizational researcher, I know that when organizations try to promote a vision, mission, or values, their attempts usually fail, unless employees or customers see the values authentically espoused by prominent organizational actors.

In that sense, there is a lot to learn from the Jesuit fathers. For example, you understand the concern for employees when you see a priest who, after a big lunch for visiting foreign delegates, discreetly asked the waiters to pack a meal, and, unseen by most, quietly handed it over to the watchmen and gardeners, so that they also have the same good meal that the delegates and faculty had.

Or you may learn about the front and center leadership, when you see a priest, who, on seeing that staff may not meet a deadline, himself join his staff at rather mundane tasks, instead of lecturing them on how to complete the work. Or realizing what truly matters to people when students recall that this director or principal unfailingly greeted every student with a smile, even when he was busy.

Please tell us more about yourself, family and education.

Professionally, before becoming Assistant Professor at St. Joseph’s, I had completed my doctorate in management from the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore, where I was awarded the Director’s Merit Award. I was a winner of the 2012 Wings of Excellence Award at the St. Gallen Symposium Switzerland, called the Oscars for young academics. I was also placed 6th in the world in the 2018 Peter Drucker Challenge by the Drucker Society USA/ Europe.

I am privileged to be in a close-knit family, with devoted parents who gave my brother and me their time, energy and affection.

I am also grateful for the solicitude I receive from a small circle of my best friends and extended family members. I have a wonderful husband, who is intelligent, adept, dedicated, and the kindest and gentlest person I know. My in-laws are also a very warm and caring family.

My husband and I have the most perfect little boy, and we are enjoying raising him and showering him with all our love, much like we experienced from our parents. I am grateful for these wonderful people closest to me and acknowledge how vital their support has been in my personal and professional life.