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The Development of International Business Norms

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  • Windsor, Duane

Abstract

International business norms do not exist. Content and development of such norms is a significant research question for business ethics scholarship. Any norms must address difficult practical and moral problems facing multinational enterprises. The author’s thesis is as follows. A key circumstance is that international relations remain a Hobbesian state of nature. The theoretical solution of a global sovereignty for norm formulation and enforcement is unlikely. The business ethics literature proposes other insightful but theoretical and conflicting solutions to abstract wealth-responsibility and universalism-relativism controversies. Theoretical convergence seems unlikely. Evolution of multiple international policy regimes fragmented by policy arena is more probable. Regimes will typically be neither morals by agreement nor a morality of the marketplace. Regime development can occur in various other ways. Moral leadership, by firms, stakeholders, nongovernmental organizations or governments, can be a vital force. Formal ethical theories can inform and guide such leadership initiatives. This process perspective is applied to several recent case examples cited here as supporting evidence: anti-corruption, labor, environmental, human rights, and fiduciary responsibility initiatives.

Suggested Citation

  • Windsor, Duane, 2004. "The Development of International Business Norms," Business Ethics Quarterly, Cambridge University Press, vol. 14(4), pages 729-754, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:cup:buetqu:v:14:y:2004:i:04:p:729-754_00
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    Cited by:

    1. Salla Laasonen & Martin Fougère & Arno Kourula, 2012. "Dominant Articulations in Academic Business and Society Discourse on NGO–Business Relations: A Critical Assessment," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 109(4), pages 521-545, September.
    2. Geert Demuijnck, 2015. "Universal Values and Virtues in Management Versus Cross-Cultural Moral Relativism: An Educational Strategy to Clear the Ground for Business Ethics," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 128(4), pages 817-835, June.
    3. Lisa Calvano, 2008. "Multinational Corporations and Local Communities: A Critical Analysis of Conflict," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 82(4), pages 793-805, November.
    4. Till Talaulicar, 2009. "Barriers Against Globalizing Corporate Ethics: An Analysis of Legal Disputes on Implementing U.S. Codes of Ethics in Germany," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 84(3), pages 349-360, February.
    5. David Ralston & Allison Pearson, 2010. "The Cross-Cultural Evolution of the Subordinate Influence Ethics Measure," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 96(1), pages 149-168, September.
    6. Carole Jurkiewicz, 2012. "Developing a Multicultural Organizational Code of Ethics Rooted in the Moral Obligations of Citizenry," Public Organization Review, Springer, vol. 12(3), pages 243-249, September.
    7. Bahoo, Salman & Alon, Ilan & Paltrinieri, Andrea, 2020. "Corruption in international business: A review and research agenda," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 29(4).

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