This study aims to validate the existence of “rational sympathy” and “universal benevolence” prescribed by Smith’s Moral Sentiment Theory among business entities during the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak. The study has optimized the qualitative analysis on secondary data to gain an introspective pertaining to the objectives. The analysed subjects consist of the news reporting on the action taken by particular business actors during the pandemic outbreak and movement order control. The material are analysed in terms of the prescribed dimensions comprise of voluntary-based action, non-reciprocal giving and aim the good cause of society. The findings indicate that rational sympathy and universal benevolence do exist within the current context of business environment. The business participants’ rational sympathy and self-interest motive has benefited the society through the offering a wide range of products and services during the normal situation and tranquillity context. Nevertheless, in the highly agitated and disturbance context, the business players resort to universal benevolence motive, thus giving their utmost priority to the greater interest of the state and sovereignty.
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In-Text Citation: (Ishak et al., 2020)
To Cite this Article: Ishak, S., Omar, A. R. C., & Osman, L. H. (2020). Sympathy and Benevolence of Business Entities: Evidence during the COVID-19 Pandemic Outbreak. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 10(5), 102–113.
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