Business Ethics and Global Economy
6433ch10.qxd_lb 10/19/06 10:43 AM Page 260
CHAPTER OBJECTIVES
◆
CHAPTER 10
Business Ethics in a Global Economy
CHAPTER OUTLINE
Ethical Perceptions and International Business Culture as a Factor in Business Adapting Ethical Systems to a Global Framework Global Values The Multinational Corporation Sexual and Racial Discrimination Human Rights Price Discrimination Bribery Harmful Products Pollution and the Natural Environment Telecommunications Issues Intellectual-Property Protection World Trade Organization
To understand the role of culture as a factor in business ethics To discuss cultural relativism and global business ethics To explore global values To assess the role of multinational corporations in business ethics To gain awareness of a number of ethical issues around the globe
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6433ch10.qxd_lb 10/19/06 10:43 AM Page 261
AN ETHICAL DILEMMA*
At the Dun and Ready (D&R) Company, Sid was responsible for monitoring the Japanese stock market to determine patterns and identify stocks that could become active. One of ten company representatives in Japan, Sid, who was of Japanese descent and fluent in the language, had been assigned to Tokyo. Being relatively new to the firm, he was told to gather information for his boss, Glenna. Glenna had been with D&R for ten years, but because of the cultural barriers, she was not enthusiastic about her Tokyo assignment. Glenna encouraged Sid to get to know the Japanese brokers, traders, and other key people in the business, and, thanks to his background, he found that he blended easily into the culture. In Japan, ceremony and giving favors is a way of life. Sid learned that, by observing Japanese customs and perfecting his Japanese, he not only became an information resource on the Japanese stock market and its players for his company but also a resource for the Japanese who wanted to invest in the U.S. market. He found that the locals would talk to him about important investments rather
CHAPTER OBJECTIVES
◆
CHAPTER 10
Business Ethics in a Global Economy
CHAPTER OUTLINE
Ethical Perceptions and International Business Culture as a Factor in Business Adapting Ethical Systems to a Global Framework Global Values The Multinational Corporation Sexual and Racial Discrimination Human Rights Price Discrimination Bribery Harmful Products Pollution and the Natural Environment Telecommunications Issues Intellectual-Property Protection World Trade Organization
To understand the role of culture as a factor in business ethics To discuss cultural relativism and global business ethics To explore global values To assess the role of multinational corporations in business ethics To gain awareness of a number of ethical issues around the globe
◆
◆ ◆
◆
6433ch10.qxd_lb 10/19/06 10:43 AM Page 261
AN ETHICAL DILEMMA*
At the Dun and Ready (D&R) Company, Sid was responsible for monitoring the Japanese stock market to determine patterns and identify stocks that could become active. One of ten company representatives in Japan, Sid, who was of Japanese descent and fluent in the language, had been assigned to Tokyo. Being relatively new to the firm, he was told to gather information for his boss, Glenna. Glenna had been with D&R for ten years, but because of the cultural barriers, she was not enthusiastic about her Tokyo assignment. Glenna encouraged Sid to get to know the Japanese brokers, traders, and other key people in the business, and, thanks to his background, he found that he blended easily into the culture. In Japan, ceremony and giving favors is a way of life. Sid learned that, by observing Japanese customs and perfecting his Japanese, he not only became an information resource on the Japanese stock market and its players for his company but also a resource for the Japanese who wanted to invest in the U.S. market. He found that the locals would talk to him about important investments rather