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Google in China: A Manager-Friendly Heuristic Model for Resolving Cross-Cultural Ethical Conflicts

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  • J. Brooke Hamilton

    (University of Louisiana)

  • Stephen B. Knouse

    (University of Louisiana)

  • Vanessa Hill

    (University of Louisiana)

Abstract

Management practitioners and scholars have worked diligently to identify methods for ethical decision making in international contexts. Theoretical frameworks such as Integrative Social Contracts Theory (Donaldson and Dunfee, 1994, Academy of Management Review 19, 252–284) and more recently the Global Business Citizenship Approach [Wood et al., 2006, Global Business Citizenship: A Transformative Framework for Ethics and Sustainable Capitalism. (M. E. Sharpe, Armonk, NY)] have produced innovations in practice. Despite these advances, many managers have difficulty implementing these theoretical concepts in daily practice. Using the example of recent decisions by internet service providers Google, Yahoo, and MSN regarding censorship requirements in China, we offer six heuristic questions to help managers to resolve cross-cultural ethical conflicts in which the firm’s way of doing business differs from the practice in the host country. Recognizing that companies can take different approaches to law and ethics (Paine, 1994, Harvard Business Review 72(2), 107–117), our aim is to provide a management decision process to deal with demands or opportunities for engaging in questionable business practices in a host country.

Suggested Citation

  • J. Brooke Hamilton & Stephen B. Knouse & Vanessa Hill, 2009. "Google in China: A Manager-Friendly Heuristic Model for Resolving Cross-Cultural Ethical Conflicts," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 86(2), pages 143-157, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jbuset:v:86:y:2009:i:2:d:10.1007_s10551-008-9840-y
    DOI: 10.1007/s10551-008-9840-y
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Hamilton, J. Brooke & Hoch, David, 1997. "Ethical Standards for Business Lobbying: Some Practical Suggestions," Business Ethics Quarterly, Cambridge University Press, vol. 7(3), pages 117-129, July.
    2. Velasquez, Manuel, 1995. "International Business Ethics: The Aluminum Companies in Jamaica," Business Ethics Quarterly, Cambridge University Press, vol. 5(4), pages 865-882, October.
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