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The Role of Ethics in the Commercialization of Indigenous Knowledge

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  • David Orozco
  • Latha Poonamallee

Abstract

Much has been written about indigenous knowledge and intellectual property rights (IPRs) in fields like anthropology and law. However, it remains an under-examined topic in business and management literature. In this article, we review the emerging contentious discourse, definitional issues and underlying assumptions of the western IPR and indigenous knowledge management systems. We highlight the similarities and differences between the two approaches. We argue that adopting a view that law is socially constructed with ethical underpinnings helps sort out the thorny issues related to indigenous knowledge ‘expropriation’. To do this, we draw on the role of ethical norms in the historical evolution of IPRs regimes. Finally, grounded in Stakeholder Theory, we conclude with a discussion of managerial implications. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2014

Suggested Citation

  • David Orozco & Latha Poonamallee, 2014. "The Role of Ethics in the Commercialization of Indigenous Knowledge," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 119(2), pages 275-286, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jbuset:v:119:y:2014:i:2:p:275-286
    DOI: 10.1007/s10551-013-1640-3
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    Cited by:

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    2. Wynberg, Rachel, 2023. "Biopiracy: Crying wolf or a lever for equity and conservation?," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 52(2).
    3. Carolina Castaldi, 2023. "Off the mark? What we (should) know about the bright and dark sides of corporate trademark practices," Industrial and Corporate Change, Oxford University Press and the Associazione ICC, vol. 32(5), pages 1046-1062.

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