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The Cultural Roots of Ethical Conflicts in Global Business

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  • Carlos Sanchez-Runde
  • Luciara Nardon
  • Richard Steers

Abstract

This study examines the cultural roots of ethical conflicts in the global business environment. It begins with a brief look at worldviews on ethical behavior in general. Based on this, it is argued that an in-depth understanding of ethical conflicts has been hampered by an overreliance on Western models and viewpoints. Three common sources, or bases, of ethical conflicts are discussed as they relate to business practices, including conflicts over tastes and preferences, the relative importance of moral imperatives compared to legal requirements, and people’s level of tolerance for different values among others. It is then argued that an understanding of ethical conflicts can be facilitated through different levels of understanding, including the meaning of universal values, the relationship between values and practices, and the existence of multiple levels of conflict within the same organizations or industries. These specific and interrelated ingredients in cross-cultural ethical conflicts form the basis for a broader discussion of the meaning of truth as it relates to such conflicts. The paper concludes with the need for more research that is cross-cultural and multidisciplinary in order to improve theory building and managerial practice. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2013

Suggested Citation

  • Carlos Sanchez-Runde & Luciara Nardon & Richard Steers, 2013. "The Cultural Roots of Ethical Conflicts in Global Business," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 116(4), pages 689-701, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jbuset:v:116:y:2013:i:4:p:689-701
    DOI: 10.1007/s10551-013-1815-y
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Kit-Chun Lam & Guicheng Shi & Guicheng Shi, 2008. "Factors Affecting Ethical Attitudes in Mainland China and Hong Kong," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 77(4), pages 463-479, February.
    2. Yungwook Kim & Soo-Yeon Kim, 2010. "The Influence of Cultural Values on Perceptions of Corporate Social Responsibility: Application of Hofstede’s Dimensions to Korean Public Relations Practitioners," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 91(4), pages 485-500, February.
    3. Alex Chan & Hoi Cheung, 2012. "Cultural Dimensions, Ethical Sensitivity, and Corporate Governance," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 110(1), pages 45-59, September.
    4. Michael Gift & Paul Gift & QinQin Zheng, 2013. "Cross-Cultural Perceptions of Business Ethics: Evidence from the United States and China," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 114(4), pages 633-642, June.
    5. Kam Chan & Hung-Gay Fung & Jot Yau, 2010. "Business Ethics Research: A Global Perspective," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 95(1), pages 39-53, August.
    6. J. Kuntz & J. Kuntz & Detelin Elenkov & Anna Nabirukhina, 2013. "Characterizing Ethical Cases: A Cross-Cultural Investigation of Individual Differences, Organisational Climate, and Leadership on Ethical Decision-Making," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 113(2), pages 317-331, March.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Mirela Popa & Irina Salanță, 2014. "Corporate social responsibility versus corporate social iresponsibility," Management & Marketing, Economic Publishing House, vol. 9(2), Summer.

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