In this editorial, we highlight the journal’s awards for Outstanding Article and Outstanding Reviewer, which were handed out during the SBE conference in Seattle. Additionally, we introduce our revision for how to submit proposals for a special issue of BEQ. Finally, this issue inaugurates the new art review section.
BEQ Awards
The committee deciding on the BEQ Outstanding Article Award comprised Cedric Dawkins (chair), Laura Spence, and Bruce Barry. Their task was to select the winner and two runners-up from a short list of seven articles, compiled by the journal’s associate editors.
This year, the three articles that were short-listed powerfully showcase the variety of methodologies and perspectives published within BEQ. As such, they provide excellent examples of the quality expected of quantitative and qualitative work, as well as of philosophical analysis. The criteria applied across the board are novelty, rigor, flow, and worthiness of celebration. The winning article is “Ethics of the Attention Economy: The Problem of Social Media Addiction” (BEQ 31 [3]: 321–59) by Vikram Bhargava and Manuel Velasquez. This article sets itself apart through the way in which it combines an excellent literature review with razor-sharp argumentation. It is an excellent example of the rigor required in terms of argument and analytic philosophy, combined with a depth of engagement with existing debates around addiction. The two runners-up, mentioned in no particular order, are “Equality and Gender at Work in Islam: The Case of the Berber Population of the High Atlas Mountains” (BEQ 31 [2]: 210–41) by Claudia Eger and “Making Sense of ‘Good’ and ‘Bad’: A Deonance and Fairness Approach to Abusive Supervision and Prosocial Impact” (BEQ 31 [3]: 386–420) by Michael A. Johnson, Manuela Priesemuth, and Bailey Bigelow. Eger’s article sets itself apart through the excellent use of ethnographic methods and its focus on a unique group (Berbers) in a region that is not often studied (the Middle East and North Africa). Reviewers and judges were impressed by the “empirical magic” of getting access to the particularity of the Berber community and the skill of the author in challenging universal business ethics. Johnson et al.’s article is an excellent example of what is demanded from quantitative work that aspires to be published in BEQ. Not only does it draw on rich empirical data but it makes a unique and important theoretical contribution. It asks an interesting question about competing theories and finds an answer consistently across three well-designed studies with varying approaches to sampling. It succeeds in creatively standing up to the binary understanding around abusive supervision and makes for a novel contribution by offering a surprising set of outcomes.
The tradition to recognize a colleague who has served as an exemplary reviewer for BEQ over a period of recent years was also continued in Seattle. The BEQ Outstanding Reviewer Award highlights the essential contributions that quality reviewers make to the journal’s ongoing success as a leading multidisciplinary outlet in business ethics. While thanking all SBE members who generously offered their time and expertise in providing informative and constructive reviews, only one of them can receive this award. This year, the honor goes to our editorial board member Ken Butterfield (Washington State University). Ken is an outstanding reviewer because he delivers on his commitment to review; does so within the time allowed; and writes review reports that focus on major issues, argue for the points of his critique, and generously offer suggestions for improvement. Our congratulations and special thanks go to Ken Butterfield.
Submitting a Proposal for a Special Issue of BEQ
Special issues are important in amending the agenda for business ethics research, by developing new theoretical and/or empirical research on neglected or emerging topics in business ethics, corporate responsibility, sustainability, and related themes consistent with BEQ’s editorial aims.
Once a year, on average, BEQ publishes a special issue or section on a topical theme. We welcome proposals for future special issues or sections from groups of two to five individuals who would compose a guest editor team. Proposals for a special issue are to be submitted, once a year, by November 30, to the journal’s managing editor (ManagingEditor@beqjournal.org). The editors in chief select one of the submitted proposals. Their decision is communicated in January. The selected proposal may require further development; the final text is published on the journal’s website and in the July issue of BEQ. For further guidance, please refer to the guidelines on the journal’s website https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-file-manager/file/6320634aab5f480012d308cb.
Art Review Section
This issue inaugurates the first entry of a new journal section, baptized Art Review, and contains the introductory essay to the section by section editor Daniel Hjorth (Copenhagen Business School). Readers who are interested in recommending a piece of art for review or reviewing a piece of art themselves should contact Daniel Hjorth, Art Review Editor, ArtReviewEditor@beqjournal.org.
Corrigendum
The correct date for the presubmission virtual workshop associated with the call for papers for a special issue of BEQ on “Organizational Ethics of Life and Death,” is Monday, December 12, 2022. The application deadline for the workshop is still October 31, 2022, and the special issue submission window is April 1–May 31, 2023. All information is available at https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/business-ethics-quarterly/information/special-issue-open-calls-for-submission.
