ARE THERE MORAL VALUES IN MANAGERS’ SELF-REPRESENTATIONS? A QUALITATIVE STUDY ABOUT MORAL IN THE WORLD OF WORK

The contemporary world of work is characterized by flexibility, quality management, and the mobilization of individuals toward organizational goals. In this context, managers are expected to reconcile the achievement of results with the development of positive interpersonal relationships and the recognition of human needs. However, competitiveness and the ongoing pursuit of productivity may create tensions between personal values and professional demands, raising questions about the role of morality in management practices. This article aims to describe the presence or absence of moral values in managers’ self-representations, in both personal and professional dimensions, and to determine whether differences exist between their responses in these two spheres. To this end, thirty structured interviews were conducted, and the responses were analyzed based on the values mentioned by participants in their self-representations across the personal and professional dimensions. The results indicated a greater presence of moral values in personal self-representations than in professional ones. Among the moral values identified, care for the team and the appreciation of human life stood out. Conversely, among non-moral values, adherence to organizational rules and the pursuit of professional recognition were the most prominent.