PowerPoint Presentation

Values in Tension: Ethics Away From Home-Thomas DonaldsonPresented ByShruti Mohite P39Sanket Jadhav P33Shradha Mahadik P38

Concept of Ethical RelativismAccording to the school of ethical relativism . . What is ethical or unethical must be judged in light of local moral standards and can vary from one country to anotherSome Companies code of conduct based upon the principle of ethical relativism assume that local morality is an adequate guide for ethical behavior

Ethics and Culture

Ethical Relativism

Suggest that there is no one right way to behave; cultural context determines ethical behavior

Cultural Relativist

Country has the right to establish it own health and safety regulations

5To make matters more complex, culture place a significant role in determining ethical behavior. What is accepted in one country may be unethical or even illegal in another.

Drawbacks of Ethical Relativism

The ethical relativism rule of when in Rome, do as the Romans do presents problems

It is ethically dangerous for company personnel to assume that local ethical standards are an adequate guide to ethical behavior.

Ethical ImperialismDo everything the same as in our home country

Same standards of what is right and what is wrong are universal and transcend most cultures, societies, and religions

Universal agreement on basic moral standards allows a multinational company to develop a code of ethics that is applied evenly across its worldwide operations

Problems with ImperialismDifferent Cultural Traditions must be respected

There is more than one set of concepts to define moral truth

Core or Universal Values Respect for human dignityCreate culture that values employees, customers, and suppliers.Keep a safe workplace.Produce safe products and services.

Respect for basic rightsProtect rights of employees, customers, and communities.Avoid anything that threatening safety, health, education, and living standards.

Be good citizensSupport social institutions, including economic and educational systems.Work with local government and institutions to protect environment

Approaches to EthicsRelativismCulture: every culture has a different set of ethical standards

Each individual creates their own ethical standards

Imperialism1 set of ethical rules for everyone regardless of culture/ religion Common to all societies

Moral Free SpacesManagers with moral ambiguityBusiness practices either ethical or unethicalGrey zoneEx-Indian companies and nepotismWestern countries and their valuesNepotism violated by EEOC(Equal Employment Opportunity Commission)Tension between nepotism and equal opportunities

Continued.Whether other country should accept India as partnerNepotism in India exits in moral free spaceCompanies must be clear with core values and code of conductDifferent conflicts over ethical standards in different countriesConflict of relative development ex-Lower wage rate in India not accepted by developed countriesConflict of cultural tradition ex-Saudi Arabia does not allow women to serve as corporate

THANK YOU FOR LISTENING