International Hit

Abstract:

Many international business training programs present a viewpoint of cultural

relativism that encourages business people to adapt to the host country's culture.

This paper presents an argument that cultural relativism is not always appropriate

for business ethics; rather, a code of conduct must be adapted which presents

guidelines for core ethical business conduct across cultures. Both moral and

economic evidence is provided to support the argument for a universal code of

ethics. Also, four steps are presented that will help ensure that company ethical

standards are followed internationally.

Full Text:

Copyright Kluwer Academic Publishers Group Jan 1998 [Headnotel ABSTRACT. Many international business training programs present a viewpoint of cultural relativism that encourages business people to adapt to the host country's culture. This paper presents an argument that cultural relativism is not always appropriate for business ethics; rather, a code of conduct must be adapted which presents guidelines for core ethical business conduct across cultures. Both moral and economic evidence is provided to support the argument for a universal code of ethics. Also, four steps are presented that will help ensure that company ethical standards are followed internationally.

Introduction

In many executive training seminars for international business, executives are taught to honor customs in other countries and "Do as the Romans Do." The emphasis on international business training is on learning how other cultures do business and adapting to their way of business (Wines and Napier, 1992; Paige and Martin, 1983). To some companies, adapting to foreign cultures often requires ethical compromises. That is, companies may conduct international business operations in a manner that is

http://proquest.umi.com/pqdlink?Ver I&Exp=07 03 2002&VAULT=I&FMT=FT&DID=O... 7/2/2002

XanEdu Research Engine Page 2 of 13

contrary to its standards of conduct in...