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When Ethics are Compromised by Ideology: The Global Competitiveness Report

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  • Harald Bergsteiner
  • Gayle Avery

Abstract

The Global Competitiveness Report raises ethical issues on multiple levels. The traditional high ranking accorded the US is largely attributable to fallacies, poor science and ideology. The ideological bias finds expression in two ways: the inclusion of indices that do not provide competitive advantage, but that fit the Anglo/US ideology; and the exclusion of indices that are known to offer competitive advantage, but that do not fit the Anglo/US ideology. This flaw is compounded by methodological problems that raise further doubt as to the reliability and validity of the survey results. The resultant false high ranking of the US, a strong proponent of Anglo/US capitalism, pseudo-legitimizes the propensity of US-dominated institutions and entities to persuade, coerce and, in the worst-case force other countries and their constituents to adopt Anglo/US practices and behaviours. This is ethically reprehensible because research shows that these practices and behaviours, when compared with other approaches, are sub-optimal in the results they produce for individuals, corporations and nations. The report also unjustly and unnecessarily stigmatizes entire groups of countries with little conceivable benefit to anyone. Given the report’s gravitas through the profound global influence it exerts on the decisions of top government and business leaders, these are serious ethical and economic issues. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2012

Suggested Citation

  • Harald Bergsteiner & Gayle Avery, 2012. "When Ethics are Compromised by Ideology: The Global Competitiveness Report," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 109(4), pages 391-410, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jbuset:v:109:y:2012:i:4:p:391-410
    DOI: 10.1007/s10551-011-1136-y
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Clare J. M. Burns & Luke Houghton & Deborah Delaney & Cindy Shannon, 2023. "Ethical Decision-Making in Indigenous Financial Services: QSuper Case Study," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 186(1), pages 13-29, August.
    2. Vera, Celia & Rendon, Silvio, 2021. "Is the Global Competitiveness Index a Reliable Tool for the Design of Labor Market Policies? Evidence from Peru," IZA Policy Papers 180, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    3. Harald Bergsteiner & Gayle C. Avery, 2019. "Misleading Country Rankings Perpetuate Destructive Business Practices," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 159(3), pages 863-881, October.
    4. Ivan A. Kapitonov & Irina V. Zhukovskaya & Rustem R. Khusaenov & Valentin A. Monakhov, 2018. "Competitiveness and Competitive Advantages of Enterprises in the Energy Sector," International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, Econjournals, vol. 8(5), pages 300-305.

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