Oliver Williams
Associate Professor
Management & Organization
574-631-5761
255B Mendoza College of Business
- Biography
- Background
- Publications
- Books
- Presentations
- Awards
- Media
Oliver Williams, C.S.C. specializes in the areas of business ethics, corporate governance, and Catholic social teaching. Williams is the editor or author of 22 books as well as numerous articles on business ethics in journals. He is the Director of the Notre Dame Center for Ethics and Religious Values in Business in the Mendoza College of Business at the University of Notre Dame. A former Naval Officer, Williams earned his doctorate from Vanderbilt University and his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Notre Dame. He is a Catholic priest in the Congregation of Holy Cross. He served as Associate Provost of the University of Notre Dame from 1987-94 and is a past chair of the Social Issues Division of the Academy of Management. He was elected as a Professor Extraordinary at Stellenbosch University in South Africa in 2014. In 2006, he was appointed a member of the five-person Board of Directors at the United Nations Global Compact Foundation. The United Nations Global Compact is the world’s largest voluntary corporate citizenship initiative with over15,000 businesses around the world as members. In 2019 he was presented with the SUMNER MARCUS Award from the Social Issues in Management Division of the Academy of Management "in recognition and appreciation for your outstanding contribution of service and scholarship to the field". In 2020 he was selected as a Pioneer in Business Ethics, a project designed to preserve the history of the academic discipline; a video record is available at the library of the University of Illinois. Williams is a priest in the Congregation of Holy Cross.
Education
BS, University of Notre Dame
MS, University of Notre Dame
Ph D, Vanderbilt University
Areas of Expertise
Sustainability
Catholic Social Teaching
Business Ethics
Corporate Governance
Editorial Boards
Editorial Board Member
Humanitas
April 26, 2017
Humanitas
April 26, 2017
Editorial Board Member
Journal of Business, Peace and Sustainable Development
September, 2014
Journal of Business, Peace and Sustainable Development
September, 2014
Editorial Board Member
South African Journal of Business Management
January, 2005
South African Journal of Business Management
January, 2005
Editorial Board Member
African Journal of Business Ethics
January, 2004
African Journal of Business Ethics
January, 2004
Editorial Board Member
Journal of Christian Business Management
January, 1995
Journal of Christian Business Management
January, 1995
Editorial Board Member
Journal of Corporate Citizenship
January, 2013 - February 28, 2018
Journal of Corporate Citizenship
January, 2013 - February 28, 2018
Special Issue Editor
Journal of Corporate Citizenship
May, 2016 - December, 2016
Journal of Corporate Citizenship
May, 2016 - December, 2016
"Retrieving Aristotle's Phronesis: A Focus on Character and Practical Wisdom in the Selection of Business Leaders", (With Oliver Williams, C.S.C., , ), Business and Professional Ethics Journal, 41, 2022
"Business for Peace (B4P): Can This New Global Governance Paradigm of the United Nations Global Compact Bring Some Peace and Stability to the Korean Peninsula?", (With Oliver Williams, C.S.C., Stephen Yong-Seung Park, ), Asian Journal of Business Ethics, 8, 2019
"Business for Peace (B4P): Can This New Global Governance Paradigm Bring Some Peace and Stability to the Korean Peninsula?", (With ), Asian Journal of Business Ethics, 8, 2019
"Restorying the Purpose of Business: The Agenda of the UN Global Compact", African Journal of Business Ethics, 12, 2018
"Adapting to and Expanding the Social Expectations on Business: The Common Theme in Laudato Si and the UN Sustainable Development Goals", Journal of Corporate Citizenship/Greenleaf Publishing, 64, 2016
"Sustainable Value For Stakeholders", (With Oliver Williams, C.S.C.), Global Compact International Yearbook 2015/ Macondo, 2015
"The United Nations Global Compact: What Did It Promise?", (With Oliver Williams, C.S.C.), Journal of Business Ethics, 25, 2014
"CSR: Will It Change the World?", (With Oliver Williams, C.S.C.), Journal of Corporate Citizenship, 18, 2014
"Advancing Human Rights in Developing Countries: A Voluntary Opportunity or a Moral Obligation for Business?", (With Oliver Williams, C.S.C.), Peace Forum, 28, 2012
"The Business Leader of the 21st Century: Catholic Social Teaching as a Moral Compass", (With Oliver Williams, C.S.C.), Journal of the Labor-Pastoral Council, Archdiocese of Seoul, 2012
"Is It Possible to Have a Business Based on Solidarity and Mutual Trust? The Challenge of Catholic Social Teaching to Capitalism and the Promise of Southwest Airlines", (With Oliver Williams, C.S.C.), Journal of Catholic Social Thought, 9, 2011
"Recasting the Bottom Line: The Role of the Principles for Responsible Management Education in Educating for Capitalism in the 21st Century", (With Oliver Williams, C.S.C.), Praxis: Journal for Christian Business Leadership, 17, 2009
"The United Nations Global Compact: What Did It Promise?", (With Oliver Williams, C.S.C.), Leadership and Business Ethics/ Springer, Ed. Gabriel Flynn, 2022
"Baptismal Witness in the World of Commerce", Wipf & Stock Publishers, What We Have Seen and Heard: Fostering Baptismal Witness in the World, 2017
"Catholic Social Teaching: Some Implications for Business Leadership", (With Oliver Williams, C.S.C.), Business Ethics: Wiley's Encyclopedia of Management, Business Ethics, 2014
"The United Nations Global Compact", (With Oliver Williams, C.S.C.), Business Ethics, Wiley's Encyclopedia of Management, Business Ethics, 2014
"Sustainable Developement: The U.N. Millennium Development Goals, The U.N. Global Compact and The Common Good", (With Oliver Williams, C.S.C.), University of Notre Dame Press, Edited, 2014
"Corporate Social Responsibility: The Role of Business in Sustainable Development", (With Oliver Williams, C.S.C.), Routledge, 2014
"Business in Society: A Changing Role", (With Oliver Williams, C.S.C.), Handbook of Spirituality and Business/Palgrave; ed. Laszlo Zsolnai, 2011
"Peace Through Commerce: Responsible Corporate Citizenship and the Ideals of the UN Global Compact", (With Oliver Williams, C.S.C.), University of Notre Dame Press, 2008
"Growing the Good in Business: The Role of the United Nations Global Compact", University of Nevada at Reno, 2023
"What Can We Learn From the Theranos Scandal?", Academy of Management/Society of Business Ethics, 2023
"ESG And Business Today", Kyung Hee University Global Collaborative, 2023
"Ethical Values in Business: The Challenge", Inspired Leadership Program Faculty Discussion, 2023
"Growing the Good i Business The Challenge and the Promose", Beta Gama Sigma Induction Dinner Speaker, 2023
"Growing the Good in Business Ethics and Society: Mary Hirschfeld and Candace Vogler", Centenary Celebration of the Mendoza College of Business, 2023
"Growing the Good in Business", Centenary Celebration of the Mendoza College of Business, 2023
"What Business Leaders Want From Business Education by Sanda Ojiambo, CEO of the United Nations Global Compact", Centenary Celebration of the Mendoza College of Business, 2023
"Growing the Good in Business: The Ethical Challenge", Notre Dame Alumni Club of Naples, Florida, 2023
"Doing Well and Doing Good: The Vision of Business", Notre Dame Alumni Club of Milwaukee, 2023
"How Can We Advance Ethics and Religious Values in Business", Glennon Symposium/University Lectures/ University of Dayton, 2023
"The Wisdom of Shareholder Welfare", Cahill Lecture: Terrence Keeley, BlackRock Senior Executive; Senator Phil Gramm; and Oliver Williams,csc, 2022
"The Changing Role of Business: The Sustainability Imperative", Kyung Hee Global Collaborative, Seoul, South Korea, 2022
"Sustainability: The Challenge For Business", Notre Dame Club of Western Carolina, 2022
"How Courageous Companies Thrive By Giving More Than They Take", Paul Polman, CEO Unilever and Sanda Ojiambo, CEO, United Nations Global Compact, International Zoom Meeting, 2022
"Business Ethics in a Medical Clinic", Mediclinic Corporate Office, South Africa, 2021
"Ethical Issues for Internal Auditors", South Africa Institute for Internal Auditors, 2020
"The Role of Business in Advancing the Sustainability Goals", Notre Dame Alumni Club of Phoenix, 2018
"Doing Well While Doing Good: Is It Possible?", Notre Dame Alumni Club of Raleigh, 2018
"The Role of the Private Sector in Sustainability", United Nations Global Compact Leaders' Summit, 2018
"A Spiritual Life in Business", Notre Dame Alumni Club of Minneapolis/St. Paul, 2018
"Making the World a Better Place: The Challenge and the Promise", Korean Local Network of the UN Global Compact, 2018
"UN Global Compact and Corporate Sustainability", Briefing Seminar on Global CSR: SDG Trends and UN Global Compact Activities, 2018
"How Businesses in South Africa Are Advancing the Work of the UN Global Compact", Stellenbosch University Business School, 2018
"The Role of Business in Meeting the Sustainability Goals", Stellenbosch University Business School, 2018
"Ethical Issues in Stock Trading", NASDAQ Stock Exchange Chicago, 2018
"Doing Well While Doing Good: The Challenge", Notre Dame Alumni Club of Hartford, 2016
"Recent Catholic Social Thought and Business Practice", Dayton Notre Dame Alumni Club, 2016
"The Global Compact and the UN Sustainability Development Goals", Atlanta Notre Dame Alumni Club, 2016
"The UNGC and the University", United Nations Global Compact Leaders' Summit, 2016
"Business and the UN Sustainability Development Goals", Nelson Mandela Municipal University, South Africa, 2016
"The Role of Business in Society", Inland Sea of Japan and South Korea/Notre Dame Alumni Association, 2016
"The Role of Ethical Reflection", National Structured Settlement Trade Association (NSSTA)/ University of Notre Dame, 2016
"Sustainability and a Religious Vision", Ethics Week/ Lewis University, 2016
"A Global Compact for Sustainable Development: Advancing Care for our Common Home", The UN Global Compact and the Encyclical Laudato Si/ University of Notre Dame, 2016
"Spirituality and Business", Mobile Notre Dame Alumni Club, 2016
"Business Leadership and Sustainability", United Nations University, Tokyo, Japan, 2016
"Business as a Noble Vocation", Albuquerque Notre Dame Alumni Club, 2015
"Doing Well and Doing Good: The Challenge", Orlando Notre Dame Alumni Club, 2015
"Business and Sustainable Development", Minneapolis/Saint Paul Notre Dame Alumni Club, 2015
"The Role of Business in Sustainable Development", Business Ethics/Saint Edward's University, Austin, Texas, 2015
"Baptismal Witness in the World of Commerce", What We Have Seen and Heard: Fostering Baptismal Witness in the World, Theology Department, University of Notre Dame, 2015
"Business and Peacebuilding", A Transformation Strategy for the Wine Industry, Cape Town, South Africa, 2015
"Ethics and Leadership", Nelson Mandela Municipal University, Port Elizabeth, South Africa, 2015
"Leadership and the Changing Role of Business in Society", Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber, Port Elizabeth, South Africa, 2015
"International Trends Pertaining to Ethics Offices: Challenges and Opportunities", Business Ethics Network Africa (BEN-Africa), Johannesburg, South Africa, 2015
"Corporate Social Responsibility: A Work in Progress", Barclays Bank Executives/ Johannesburg, South Africa, 2015
"The Vocation of a Business Leader", Moreau Seminary Conference, University of Notre Dame, 2015
"Creating Shared Value on the Korean Peninsula", Kellogg Institute Asia Working Group, University of Notre Dame, 2015
"Advancing Human Rights in Developing Countries: A Moral Obligation or a Voluntary Initiative?", Advancing Business and Human Rights Agenda/ Law School, University of Notre Dame, 2015
"Various Lectures About the Role of Business in Overcoming Poverty", Notre Dame Alumni Trip to Africa, 2015
"Ethical Challenges Around the World: North Korea", Ethics Week/ University of Notre Dame Business School, 2015
"Business and Sustainable Development", Orange County Notre Dame Alumni Club, 2015
"Can You Do Well While Doing Good", Hesburgh Lecture, 2014
"Sustainability in Developing Countries", United Nations University, 2014
"The UN Global Compact and Sustainable Development", Keio University, Mita Campus, 2014
"Business and Catholic Social Teaching", Hesburgh Lecture, 2014
"Sustainable Development: The Challenge for Business", Hesburgh Lecture, 2014
"Ethics in Business Today", Hesburgh Lecture, 2014
"The Contested Narure of the UN Global Compact", Showcase Symposium, 2014
"The Religious Perspective on Bribery", 2014 Annual Meeting, 2014
"CSR Trends and Best Practices", Korea-ASEAN Youth-CSR Conference, 2014
"Economics and Ethics of Sustainable Development", St Augustine College, 2014
"The Role of Business in Sustainable Development", Institute for Advanced Studies, 2014
"Sustainable Development", CSR: The Role of Business in Sustainable Development, 2014
"Economics and Ethics of Sustainable Development", Global Landscapes Conference/ King's College, 2014
"Catholic Social Teaching and Business Practice", Business Ethics Conference for Deans of Catholic Schools of Business, 2014
"Can You Do Well While Doing Good?", The Annual St. Joseph Aquinas Lecture and Hesburgh Lecture, 2014
"Environmental Justice and Economic Development", Stonehill Collete, 2014
"Can You Do Well While Doing Good?", Hesburgh Lecture, 2014
"Can You Do Well By Doing Good?", Hesburgh Lecture, 2014
"The Distinctive Vocation of Business Education in Catholic Colleges and Universities", McGowan Center for Ethics and Social Responsibility, 2013
"A Dialogue on Peace Through Commerce", The Global Collaborative Global Dialogue Series, 2013
"A Creative Economy in a Global Perspective: Some Ethical Reflections", The Next Society Forum, 2013
"Teaching Business Ethics: The Challenge and the Promise", Sogang University, 2013
"The Purpose of Business: A Work in Progress", The University of Cape Town, 2013
"Korean Business and CSR", Radio Interview, 2013
"Peace Through Commerce", Conference, 2013
"Peace Through Commerce: The Possibilities", The Graduate Institute of Peace (GIP), 2013
"Peace Through Commerce: The Global Corporate Role in Promoting More Peaceful Societies", Diamond Jubilee Lecture, 2013
"Research in Business Ethics: Catholic Social Teaching and CSR", De La Salle University, 2013
"Business for the Common Good: The United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) and the Principles for Responsibile Management Education (PRME)", The Catholic Educators Association of the Philippines, 2013
"Corporate Social Responsibility", The Asian Institute of Management (AIM), 2013
"The Business Leader of the 21st Century: Catholic Social Teaching As A Moral Compass", De La Salle University, 2013
"Responsible Corporate Citizenship: A Research Perspective", De La Salle University, 2013
"Sustainable Development: The Challenge for Business"
"Corporate Responsibility and Human Rights", Ford Family Program on Human Development Studies, 2010
"The United Nations Global Compact: Strengths and Weaknesses", Global Collaborative and Global Governance, 2010
"Meeting the Millennium Development Goals: The Challenge for Business", Korean Local Network of Companies of the UN Global Compact, 2010
"30 Minute TV Interview on UN Global Compact", Heart to Heart, 2010
"What is the Social Responsibility of Business?", Human Resource Managers of South Korea, 2010
"Recent Catholic Social Thought, The Challenge and the Promise", Notre Dame Club of Philadelphia, 2009
"The Vision of the UN Global Compact", Net Impact Annual Meeting, 2009
"Ethics and the Financial Crisis", Club of 20 Presidents, 2009
"The Un Global Compact and Net Impact", Mendoza College of Business, Univ of Notre Dame, 2009
"The Role of the Principles for Responsible Management Education(PRME)", University of Cape Town Faculty Seminar, 2009
"Ethics for Business in the 21st Century", Nelson Mandela University, 2009
"Educating for Capitalism in the 21st Century: The Role of the Principles for Responsible Management Education(PRME)", The World Civic Forum, 2009
"The Role of the UN Global Compact", Can Shareholder Interests and Society's Interests Be Aligned?, 2009
"Business Ethics in the 21st Century", Notre Dame Club of Fort Wayne, 2009
"Recasting the Bottom Line", Dominican University Series on Globalization, Sustainabliity and U.S., 2009
Award
"Selected to be an EXTRAORDINARY PROFESSOR AT STELLENBOSCH UNIVERSITY", Stellenbosch Business School, South Africa, 2024
"Selected to be in Pioneers in Business Ethics", University of Virginia Business School, 2020
"2019 Sumner Marcus Award", Social Issues In Management Division of the Academy of Management, 2019
"The United Nations and Global Citizenship", Third Asia Leadership Forum, Univ of Notre Dame, 2018
"Office of the Dean Mission Award 2017", Mendoza College of Business, 2017
"Selected to be the guest-editor of the Journal of Corporate Citizenship special issue on "The UN Global Compact and the Encyclical Laudato Si". Issue 64, 2016.", Journal of Corporate Citizenship, 2016
"Writer of an Introduction", Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, 2014
"Elected to Professor Extraordinary at the University of Stellenbosch, South Africa", 2014
"The Christopher Chair in Business Ethics at Dominican University", Dominican University, Chicago, 2011
"Elected to the Board of Directors of King's College", King's College, Wikes Barre, PA, 2009
"Selected to be on of the three Board of Directors of the UN Global Compact Foundation.", United Nations, 2008
"Selected to be a member of the Advisory Council of the Unit for Corporate Governance in Africa at the University of Stellenbosch", Stellenbosch University, 2008
"Elected to the Board of Trustee of Education Africa Inc", Education Africa, 2008
"Elected to the Board of Trustees of St. Augustine College, Johannesburg, South Africa", Catholic Bishops of South Africa, 2008
"Selected to give the graduation address", St. Augustine College, Johannesburg, South Africa, 2007
"Visiting Professor and the Donald Gordon International Scholar at the Graduate School of Business at the University of Cape Town and Stellenbosch University", University of Cape Town and Stellenbosch University, 2007
Yoojin Jung, The Chosun Daily is one of the major newspapers in South Korea., August 16, 2016