Ethics and Cultural Issues

A new economic order

Based on comparative cultural advantage.
Much more than outsourcing. Many countries have cheap labor. Only a few have become economic powerhouses

A new economic order

Japanese quality Korean manufacturing Indian information technology Chinese entrepreneurship Western technological innovation

Implications for business ethics

Successful countries will retain and emphasize the cultural traits that bring them success. Different ethical norms derive from different conceptions of human nature.
Rule-based cultures
Humans are autonomous, rational individuals.

Relationship-based cultures
Human existence is defined by its relatedness to others. Family, community.

Rule-based cultures
Autonomous, rational individuals must have equal status.
Ethic of justice, equality, human rights. Grounded in rationality Equal authority
Allegiance is to rules rather than persons. The rules must be self-evident and therefore universal.

We must change the focus of business ethics.

Away from primary emphasis on Western ethics. Toward a deeper understanding of value systems that stem from different conceptions of human nature.

Abandon the project of Universalizing ethics along Western lines.

It is difficult to ground a distinction between fundamental international norms and culturally specific norms.

Does this allow coexistence?

Most cultural/ethnic conflicts are between peoples of very similar cultures. Perhaps radically different cultural systems can coexist in a mutually beneficial way, much as ecosystems

Ethical issues across cultures

Cultural factors Differences in systems of laws Unethical behavior Bribery part of fabric of life Rules of conduct Clear guidelines Puritan origins

Ethical issues across cultures

Right to choice Satisfy needs of overall society Nature of business relationship Personal advocates Everything in harmony Efficiency and effectiveness Different cultural backgrounds

Ethical issues across cultures

Friendships quickly formed Banquets mechanism for learning Concerned with numbers Education and persuasion Negotiation and compromise Interpersonal relations

More issues about ethics

Remember that ethics does not refer only to financial favors, i.e., corruption, but includes: Conflict of interest, Misuse of position by abusing ones office (e.g. misusing confidential information, government property, official time etc.). According to Gbadamosi (2004), high ethical standards, and low corruption perception will always be relevant in organizations and human societies.

More issues about ethics contd.

We already use ethics as a basis for decision making family situations etc. there is no law that requires one answer or another you might believe that you should act one way or another because it is the right thing to do This is your personal ethic and which stems from the society/culture one belongs to.