儒商文化内涵、特质与当代价值OACHSSCD

Based on a thorough exploration of the origins of Confucian merchants and Confucian busi-nesspeople,the connections and distinctions between Confucian businesspeople and merchant Confu-cianists,as well as the definitions of Confucian merchants and Confucian merchant culture,this paper argues that the characteristics of Confucian merchant culture are mainly defined by comparison with those of Western business culture.The philosophical essence of Western business culture is embodied in two cornerstones,its operational essence in three engines,its institutional essence in three pillars,and its ethical essence primarily in the evolution from utilitarianism to modern Corporate Social Re-sponsibility(CSR)and Environmental,Social and Governance(ESG).The core essence of Confucian merchant culture lies in the unity of fourfold balance,its practical essence in adhering to seven practi-cal principles,and its ultimate realm in the humanistic sublimation of commerce.In their practice of in-tegrating Confucianism into business operations,Confucian merchants conduct commercial activities in accordance with the moral ideals and pursuits of Confucianism,infusing the commercial behaviors with the Confucian values of"benevolence,righteousness,propriety,wisdom and faith"that Confu-cianism advocates and practices,thus forming a unique commercial personality and code of conduct.They achieve business success through their distinctive approaches to fulfill the Confucian pursuit of the"Three Immortalities"in life and facilitate the humanistic sublimation of commerce.On the prem-ise that Confucian merchant culture has gained international consensus,its contemporary value can be summarized in five aspects:reshaping the business morality and trust system to consolidate the ethical foundation;integrating humanistic care with institutional rationality to carry forward the managerial wisdom of Confucian merchants;driving the innovative development of enterprises through the integra-tion and creative transformation of Confucian merchant culture and modern economy;enhancing the personal cultivation of Confucian merchants to promote the self-improvement of entrepreneurship;and providing the oriental wisdom of inclusive development for global governance.