[THEME: ECOSYSTEM][YEAR: 2026][STATUS: ACTIVE]
Associate

International Humanistic Management Association

(IHMA)

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International Humanistic Management Association

"Protecting dignity | Promoting well-being." Global network of scholars, practitioners, and policymakers advancing humanistic management research, education, and practice.

The International Humanistic Management Association (IHMA) was founded to advance a vision of business grounded in human dignity, ethical reflection, and the flourishing of people and planet. In a time of converging ecological, social, and institutional crises, the question of what business is for - and whom it serves- has become both urgent and contested. We are witnessing a growing recognition that technical adjustments to business education are insufficient. What is required is a deeper shift in worldview: from extractive and instrumental logics toward human-centered, dignity-based, and regenerative paradigms.

IHMA operates at these intersections of scholarship, practice and policy. Through conferences, publications, academic collaboration, engagement with business leaders and policymakers, we seek to embed humanistic principles into management thought and education. Our community spans scholars, educators, and practitioners committed to reframing management as a moral and relational endeavor.

At present, what is most alive in our context is the call to integrate human dignity more explicitly into mainstream management education, accreditation standards, and leadership development frameworks. We see strong alignment with initiatives seeking to transform business education for flourishing and regenerative futures.

We are prepared to share: a) A dignity-centered framework for management education IHMA has developed conceptual and practical tools that place human dignity at the core of organisational purpose, governance, and leadership development. b) Scholarship bridging ethics and practice Through academic publications and convenings, IHMA has helped translate philosophical foundations (Kantian dignity, Catholic social thought, human rights frameworks, etc.) into actionable management principles. c) A global network of scholars and practitioners Our large growing community spans multiple continents and disciplines. We can connect GRLI partners with researchers and educators actively experimenting with humanistic curricula and leadership models. d) Experience cultivating reflective dialogue spaces IHMA events are intentionally designed to encourage deep inquiry rather than performative agreement. We can share methodologies for fostering meaningful, values-based dialogue across diverse stakeholders. e) Narratives of flourishing in practice We have documented and engaged with organisations seeking to operate in ways consistent with dignity and humanistic values. These case insights can inform curriculum reform and leadership development programs.

We believe the GRLI ecosystem can support IHMA in several important ways: a) Scaling systemic impact in business education GRLI’s institutional partnerships and innovation circles provide pathways for translating humanistic principles into structured educational transformation. b) Embedding dignity within broader regenerative agendas While IHMA has focused strongly on human dignity, collaboration with GRLI can help integrate this more explicitly with ecological regeneration and systems thinking. c) Connecting scholarship to institutional leadership GRLI’s network of Deans, Boards, and accreditation influencers offers opportunities to influence governance-level conversations about purpose and responsibility. d) Participating in structured collaborative experiments Through initiatives such as Transforming Business Education for Flourishing, IHMA members could engage in multi-school pilots or inquiry-based redesign efforts. e) Strengthening inter-organisational alignment GRLI’s living-system approach to ecosystem stewardship can help IHMA situate its work within broader system-change architectures.

IHMA proposes to build on the emergent collaborative initiative titled: “Transforming Business Education for Flourishing.”

This collaboration could include... 1. Share existing and collaborate to develop more positive examples of businesses that flourish through our award-winning documentary film series. Films can be viewed on HLI, our affiliate website here 2. Strengthen support and have wider reach by finding commonalities and shared resources 3. Provide opportunities and a platform for advancement for emerging leaders. We currently have a Fellowship program, opportunities to speak/host seminars, join a research group and publish. We have expert partners and advisors that we can connect and can be reached for guidance. We recognise that no single organisation can shift management education alone. Formal association with GRLI would allow IHMA to situate its humanistic inquiry within a broader ecosystem committed to collective impact.

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