A study of the institutional logics of Christian businesses using the Wesleyan quadrilateral as an ideal type

Twenty case studies are conducted that explore the interplay of the quadrilateral dimensions of experience, scripture, reason and tradition. The findings illustrate a strong interaction between scripture and reason while in some cases experience played a major part in determining both the logic and the actions that are undertaken.

It is noticeable that Christian Church tradition only played a minor role in shaping the logics being used in the situations being examined. The work also concludes that there is a level of complexity within these businesses which makes a simplistic view of a ‘Christian Business’ being a unit of analysis as being questionable. It suggests that the Wesleyan Quadrilateral could be used not only make comparisons between businesses identifying broadly as ‘Christian’ but could be used to analyse businesses from other faith-based communities.