Abstract
The qualitative, instrumental single case study describes how leaders and other
stakeholders of Recrea Colombia Empresarial (RCE) promoted the dignity of low-income
populations through their business practices. The data analyzed were direct observations,
semi-structured interviews, and artifacts. The results of this research evidenced that RCE
promoted the dignity of recreational workers (RW) developing a business to break the
cycle of inequality, encouraging a “dream big” mindset, and fostering autonomy and
flexibility. The case study provided a starting point in the theory continuum of inclusive
businesses (IB) and dignity and offered insights for the literature of transformational
leadership related to dignity and IB. The study presented five practical recommendations
designed to strengthen the promotion of the dignity of low-income RW at RCE. These
recommendations responded to Immanuel Kant’s ethical perspective to always treat
individuals as ends in themselves and never as a means to ends.
Keywords: dignity, inclusive business, inequality, transformational leadership,
low-income populations, recreational workers, social clubs, case study, Colombia.