Greed: Theoretical, Religious and Business Perspectives

Abstract

The utmost aim of this article is to explore the theoretical literature of greed in various disciplines such as philosophy, sociology, economics, business, and religion. Moreover, this study also surveyed the literature to know the outcomes of greed. It is determined that in all popular disciplines of the world, greed is treated as the evil desire. While in the business context, against all the odds, greed is found as a driver behind some negative as well as some positive outcomes. This article has value at both the scholarly and practice level. At a scholarly level, this review provides the insights about the greed phenomenon from different religion’s literature. At the practice level, the findings of this study will help in effective and efficient management by understanding the nature and outcomes of greed. Conclusively, greed is found a drive behind some positive outcomes such as individual and organizational performance, innovative workplace behaviors and organizational innovativeness. Moreover, it is also found that greed can promote envy and workplace deviance.