International Issues in Business

Unit 1 Discussion Board

International Legal and Ethical Issues in Business

Shiketa M Harper

March 27, 2011

International business is all the commercial transactions that take place between two or more nations. Sometimes private business undertakes these transactions for profit and governments undertake for profits and political reasons. Starting a business can be a hard task within itself but when it comes to taking it internationally this is a whole new ball game. Culture and the expectations within cultures affect all business transactions. (Ethical issues across cultures)It is vital for Western marketers to understand the expectations of their counterparts around the world. (Ethical issues across cultures) Even at the threshold of the millennium, inability to master the basic cultural factors still leads to failure. (Ethical issues across cultures) Ethics play a very large role in running a business, and it also has a very important part in culture as well. When an individual takes a business across the border ethical issues varies a lot of different ways. Difference in currency must also be considered as well. Culture values are transmitted to culture members through parenting, education, religion and socialization.

Bribery is one key way that it can affect a business internationally. It correlates the business world politically and culturally. Usually bribery allows for easy access to places and to important individuals also. Many companies give in to bribery in order for their company to be a success. The individuals do no think of the long term effects of their decision. No company under any circumstances should engage in these activities, because there are consequences for their actions.

I feel that it is both ethically and morally wrong to engage in these activities. Sometimes individuals may prey on you because they feel that you should engage in these activities for your company to be successful, but one should not be pressured to be...