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Business Ethics Across Cultures Article Review

Business Ethics Across Cultures Article Review

Name
XMGT 216
XX/XX/12
Teacher
Grade 95/100

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Business Ethics Across Cultures Article Review

First I would like to challenge you to take some time out of your day to
consider how countries have not only become closer together through
globalization and how globalization as also created a unified moral
perspective for countries that are conducting business with each other. Once
you have, you will discover that management teams from across the world
are realizing there are significant moral and ethical issues just waiting to be
discovered by the enhanced progress we are seeing on a world wide scale.
When ethics become a problem inside a specific country, just try to imagine
the various issues which present themselves after the amount of people
affected expands to a global scale. Now we are seeing different cultures that
speak different languages all trying to find a solution to the problem. In the
following essay we will cover two different articles, both focused on dealing
with moral issues in two different countries from two different continents,
China of Asia and India of the India-sub continent. Both of these articles help
us to understand ethics on an international scale and how the business
ethics of China and India compare to the business ethics of the United
States.

Business Ethics in the Chinese Context is the second article we will

take a deeper look at. This article was authored by Stephen Rothlin and
printed by the Santa Clara University, SCU. Rothlin writes about the
unbelievable growth that was seen regarding Chinese business ethics during
2006 and 2007. Prior to writing this article, Rothlin was employed at the

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Business Ethics Across Cultures Article Review

Center for International Business Ethics in Beijing, China as a general

secretary. Back in January of 2008, the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics
Business and Organizational Ethics Partnership became modernized by
Rothlin. He used the expansion he had seen in his previous trip to China in
2006 as an example for the growth he wanted to see. Mr. Rothlin covers five
different topics; customer privileges, conditions and standards for moral
businesses, anti-corruption steps, ecological sustainability, and the role of
community. In each of the types, he discusses both developments seen
including the suggested fields that needed attention for progress.

The employee rights and work standard in China have improved from
the implementing of Chinas revised Labor Contract Law. This law protects
workers from being let go or terminated from a business when a particular
reason is not present. In addition, this law requires companies to make a
deposit to the employee social security accounts and it strengthens the
employees protection by making the standards and rules of work conditions
better. The new law also defends kids through child labor laws and now they
are trying to make sure that China pursues these new rules and regulations
(Rothlin, 2010).

China had to deal with a huge setback caused by a wave of

merchandise recalls back in 2007. In his article, Rothlin explained that it was
imperative for China to revise and better their product security and

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advertising and that the steps China had made on these problems was a key
moral issue for China. He also discussed the anti-corruption measures for
China in addition to repercussions China saw after Mayor Chen Liangyu was
released from his position in an effort to destroy corruption in the country.
Rothlin later stated that We have to depend on the dedication of top officers
to fight corruption, and that they (top officers) lose reliability by doing
nothing." Pay-offs by gift giving has been a key issue when it comes to
corruption in China. Rothlin believes in China, rejecting a gift would be
against their cultural standards, but top officers must focus on how a rule of
conduct will set restrictions on gift giving for pay-offs.

The way China convinced executives to find a solution to the polluted air
and water problem in the wake of the 2008 Beijing Olympics as well as
ecological sustainability was covered in this article. A new tax scheme was
implemented in order to encourage the local communities to help with the
pollution problems. Due to this, social obligation ended up becoming a
popular topic and interest, especially in schools. The last topic Rothlin
discussed was the implementation of improved standards for moral business
in an attempt to discover the business in China that displayed the most
moral business ethics. Rothlin also listed 18 rules of International Business
Ethics (Schulman, 2010). The 18 rules are as follows:

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1. If you try to know the values of various cultures, you will discover common
points.
2. If you study the realities, you will realize that dependability as well as
honesty benefits you.
3. If you study case studies from various perspectives, you will find out the
advantages of fair play.
4. Respecting your coworkers is the cleverest investment you can create.
5. To boost production, provide healthy as well as secure working environments.
6. To encourage confidence, make your execution clear.
7. Your devoted opposition can lead your organization in the correct direction.
8. Trimming your work force is only advantageous when you value each
stakeholder.
9. To create your brand name, work as a reasonable rival.
10.

Decrease the space between the rich and poor by creating a fresh

social security system.

11.

If you take action against discrimination, you will enhance your

earnings as well as production.

12.

If you defend intellectual property, all stakeholders will get their due

share.
13.

Constant changes in information technology need new types of

devotion.
14.

Your advertising tactic will only make safe your standing if it witnesses

your desire for superiority and quality.

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15.

Your financial accomplishments will only stand on firm ground if you

reduce corruption.
16.

Long-term achievement urgently calls you to continuously care for the

surroundings.
17.

To turn out to be a sophisticated player, develop your insight and

develop good behavior.

18.

Care for your company by caring for people.

The second article I will present to you was authored by Margaret Steen
and was also printed by SCU. Margaret Steen is a self-employed writer who
examines a lector that was addressed by Jagdish Sheth to the Markkula
Center for Applied Ethics in her article Business Ethics in a Global World:
India's Changing Ethics. Jagdish Sheth works at Emory University as a
professor of marketing and is also the executive director at the India, China,
and America Institute. Back in 2007 on the 9th day of March, Sheth discussed
Business Ethics in a Global World during his lector at the Markkula Center
for Applied Ethics.

Sheth talked about some the unique and outstanding methods that Indian
businesses practice were talked about in Sheths lecture. Sheth believed that
these unique business methods could help to promote the ethical business
practices of the western opinion that have increasingly become more popular
in the international business market. Favors, clanship, friendship, and

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corporate social obligation are only a small part of the business practices
that are being implemented in India.

It was Sheths belief that the fall of the Soviet Union and Communism was
a key factor that inspired the change to the current 21st century ethical
business models from the prior ethical behavior of the 20th century. Sheth
claims that old Communist countries are now countries like China and India
which are the greatest capitalist countries of current times. Another key
factor is the rich nations who are aging and the conventional industry is no
longer creating new jobs with as much ease as they did in previous decades.
Those who hold elected positions of power in shifting nations are quickly
realizing that the current state of economy greatly weighs in on the decision
of voters during election times. Advances in technology, specifically
information technology, that have helped balance the playing field for every
economy is the final key factor that helped to shape the business ethics of
the 21st century.

In his lecture, Sheth explained how he believed that India and China were
both on the verge of creating inventive economies that are no longer just
attractive locations for outsourcing low-end and low-paying jobs to. Once a
change of this caliber occurs, Sheth believes it will ultimately redefine and
alter the current business practices. The business methods of India are so
exception that they could possibly be equivalent the practices of the western

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world in the near future. Although, due to the fact that India sees clanship,
companionship, and favors as being of importance to business, the western
world believe this to be a clash of interest that will interfere with business.
Personal, multigenerational family, and school companionships are all highly
respected in the culture of India.

After reading both of these articles it is easy to see that the different
cultures and business practices of China and India have had their own impact
on globalization. Being raised in a family with where my father traveled to
both of these countries for business, I was always taught that everything
south of the Himalayas is part of the India-sub Continent. I never truly
believed it until I spent a year in China and India where I learned how
different their cultures are and heard the locals explain that they truly
believed that they belonged to different continents. Both China and India
have business practices that are extremely dissimilar from the practices seen
in the United States of America. China is finally beginning to understand how
vital the state of their economy is during election times. In Steens article,
Sheth explains that our unsteady economy was the key factor in George
Bush Sr. not being re-elected for a second term. It will be interesting to see
how the business world changes and if new super powers will begin to arise
as more countries come to realization that the economy comes into play
during election times.

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It is predicted that both China and India will like gain top positions as
super economies during this time of globalization in the 21st century. There
are still those who feel that the 19th Century, also known as the American
Century, had yet to meet its end. They think that this is just a slow period
but that ultimately the United States will maintain its highly coveted top
position. China and India have discovered during this time of globalization
that business ethics can actually change their surrounding environment and
management teams inside of these two countries are beginning to draft new
moral programs that enable them to effectively work together with efficiency.
We must not forget the important factors like population growth, cultural
differences, and language barriers that may hinder this progress. Even with
these potential hazardous factors being present, both countries have been
able to make great progress in recent years. During this essay we covered
two articles printed by SCU which covered the ethical and business practices
of two vastly different countries, China and India, in addition to how their
practices compare to those of the United States of America. Hopefully this
progress will continue through the years without compromising the Economy
of the United States.

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References
Rothlin, S. (2010). Business Ethics in the Chinese Context. Retrieved from
http://www.scu.edu/ethics/practicing/focusareas/business/china-update.htm
Schulman, M. (2010). Business Ethics in China. Retrieved from
http://www.scu.edu/ethics/publications/ethicalperspectives/businesschina.html
Steen, M. (2010). Business Ethics in a Global World: India's Changing
Ethics. Retrieved from
http://www.scu.edu/ethics/practicing/focusareas/business/conference/2007/pr
esentations/sheth.html

Overall Score: 95 of 100 points

Student/Group Name(s)

Date

Course

Assignment

MGT216

XX/XX/12
Wk8

Content/Development 50%: Your Score: 45%

Subject Matter:

Key elements of assignments covered

Content is comprehensive/accurate/persuasive
Displays an understanding of relevant theory
Major points supported by specific
details/examples
Research is adequate/timely
Writer has gone beyond textbook for resources

Higher-Order Thinking:

Good resource support

Writer compares/contrasts/integrates

What ethical theory do you think best

aligns with your position in this paper?

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theory/subject matter with work

environment/experience
At an appropriate level, the writer analyzes and
synthesizes theory/practice to develop new ideas and
ways of conceptualizing and performing

Consider framing your papers in an

ethical theory (consider the ones we are
learning); doing so demonstrates a good
grasp of the subject content.

Organization 20%: Your Score: 20%

The introduction provides a sufficient background on

the topic and previews major points
Central theme/purpose is immediately clear
Structure is clear, logical, and easy to follow
Subsequent sections develop/support the central
theme
Conclusion/recommendations follow logically from the
body of the paper

The introduction is an important part of

logically structuring your papers. Good
job on the introduction!

You can increase the depth by

identifying the specific areas of the
topic to be discussed. For example,
how are you comparing the
countries? Comparison of the same
elements will be much more
effective.
Transitional sentences allow the reader
to bridge the discussion from one
paragraph to the next. Remember,
connectivity creates a logical flow to
your work products.

Style/Mechanics 30%: Your Score: 30%

Format--10%

Citations/reference page follow guidelines

Properly cites ideas/info from other sources
Paper is laid out effectively--uses, heading and other
reader-friendly tools
Paper is neat/shows attention to detail

Grammar/Punctuation/Spelling--10%

Rules of grammar, usage, punctuation are followed

Spelling is correct

Readability/Style--10%

Sentences are complete, clear, and concise

Sentences are well-constructed with consistently
strong, varied structure
Transitions between sentences/paragraphs/sections

Remember, each sentence must be

able to stand alone outside the
context of the paper and still convey a
complete thought. To test, read each
sentence aloud and separate from the
paragraph and see if it conveys a
complete thought.
Refer to APA guidelines as you
develop your academic papers.
Remember, in order to develop a
reference page, you must use the cite
in the body of your papers. Consider
how you can bridge past the text
resource. How effective do you think
the UOPX library is for finding
sources?

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help maintain the flow of thought

Words used are precise and unambiguous
The tone is appropriate to the audience, content, and
assignment

Comments / Grade

The Writing Style Handbook is a good tool to help with developing your
formal papers.