Civilization and human society are deeply linked to each other and to the idea of progress. In this inclusive vision, aligned with the values common to a universal civilization that defends responsible progress, humanism emphasizes the individual and collective value of human beings, and prefers critical thinking over the acceptance of dogmas. Thus, in general, humanism refers to a behavior or attitude that exalts the human race from a perspective that affirms freedom and responsible progress.

Economics has to do with how society manages its scarce resources, and aims to improve people’s well-being (their living conditions in daily life) and, as far as possible, contribute to their happiness. The reference point of humanism-infused economics lies in welfare economics, expressed not only in economic terms but also through quality of life. As such, it must take into account economic, social, political, health and environmental factors in order to foster human development.

The humanist enterprise, embedded within an economy that advocates for well-being, emerges as the appropriate business institution of a universal humanist civilisation. A humanist enterprise operates in a manner that respects human rights and the biosphere. In striving to enhance its competitive position and value, it actively contributes to the well-being and prosperity of its stakeholders and supports the improvement of the common good, in line with its civic commitment.

Humanist governance within an enterprise is a mode of governance aimed at achieving lasting economic, social and institutional development. It entails a commitment to contributing to the advancement of humanity through principles and actions inherent in corporate humanism. In humanist governance, humanist motives and outcomes are integrated alongside traditional management objectives. This does not imply any renouncing of results, but rather the achieving of those results in a manner that respects human dignity and the environment.

A humanist enterprise must implement its policies of valuing and respecting individuals, the biosphere and societal impact in a coherent holistic manner. Neglecting any aspect affecting its stakeholders may entail risks, compromise efficiency or even threaten long-term sustainability. Focusing on customer or supplier relations while disregarding the management of employees (or managing personnel well while failing to use natural resources efficiently) can damage a corporate reputation or result in lost opportunities when compared to more diligent operators.

Leadership comprises the set of personal abilities that enable individuals to influence the behaviour or attitudes of other people or teams. It is a complex phenomenon, as a person may be influenced by multiple leaders across a variety of spheres (professionally, ideologically, socially, etc.), and may in turn influence others. In the business world, both formal leadership and informal or influence-based leadership exist. Within complex organisations, many individuals exercise leadership. While there may be a formal figure designated to be the 'leader of leaders', different individuals at various organisational levels act as leaders within their teams.

The culture of a business, together with the organisation’s vision and mission, constitute its overarching philosophy. Given its importance in shaping a humanist nature, explicit commitment to each stakeholder group must be added. The values adopted by the enterprise are reflected in its culture, defined as the set of principles, norms, symbols, myths and behavioural patterns shared by its members, serving as a reference framework and shaping the personality of the enterprise.

In exercising governance, the organisation’s philosophy and policies establish its guiding framework. Revealing its vocational ethos. Business policies are formal statements of intent and principles regarding conduct in specific matters, establishing a basis for decision-making and setting management objectives and goals.

In its origins, economics was deeply linked to ethics and could be considered one of its branches. Philosophers such as Aristotle approached economics within the framework of morality and justice, reflecting on the proper use of resources and equity in economic relations.

Semiotics – or semiology – is the discipline concerned with the study of signs, their coherence, their meaning and their use. A sign is understood to be anything which, by nature or convention, represents another object or idea. The specific meaning that a sign seeks to convey through its expression – its signifier – is what grants it significance within a given context.