A Conception of Yi (義): Harmony, Fairness, and Justice in Management – A Prospective Inquiry Framework

This paper discusses the Chinese worldview on 公平正義 _gongping zhengyi_ (fairness and justice) and correlates it with equilibrium and nonequilibrium. Moving far from equilibrium (away from fairness and justice) is a social phenomenon that warrants understanding as a science. The collective phenomena far from equilibrium (far from fairness and justice) are explored with nonequilibrium dynamics concepts. The paper examines the concepts in the _Yijing_ to understand stability, instability, equilibrium, nonequilibrium, centeredness, and non-centeredness. Fairness, justice, and harmony (representing equilibrium and balance) are Chinese culture's most important values and highest aims because they lay the foundation for achieving harmony and balance. However, interpersonal and societal conflicts lead to social, cultural, and moral crises. This paper addresses a complex problem in the field of management scholarship. Specifically, the issue being examined is how to improve the effectiveness of management scholarship in promoting fairness and justice while simultaneously maintaining the pursuit of innovative concepts and rigorous theoretical frameworks. In response to this challenge, the paper offers a novel and prospective framework for inquiry centred on the concept of _Yi_ harmony and its relationship with fairness and justice in the context of management with reference to nonequilibrium dynamics. This paper proposes a prospective inquiry framework for exploring the relationship between _Yi_ harmony, fairness, and justice in management scholarship. By using nonequilibrium dynamics to expand the scope of theoretical work, this approach seeks to promote the formulation, exploration, and evaluation of alternative theories for achieving desired management values. Prospective inquiry expands the purpose, value, and application of theoretical frameworks within management research, allowing scholars to develop and implement theoretical frameworks that promote fairness and justice while maintaining theoretical rigour and innovation. Confucian culture highlights the unique ability of human beings to possess moral reason, which is essential for creating harmonious and rational existence. By promoting goodness and virtue, Chinese culture encourages establishing mutually beneficial systems and procedural justice, leading to a just society. This paper suggests that traditional Chinese culture effectively addresses contemporary social conflicts and crises by cultivating morality, social integrity, and harmonious righteousness.