In Focus:  Ethics in International Business

Just between you and me: did you cheat on last year’s tax re- turn?  Maybe “pretty it up” a little in your favor?  No?  Yes?  Is that illegal?  You bet!  Is it unethical?

Not everyone seems to think that it is.  The United States Internal Revenue Service estimates that 17% of the American taxpayers cheat.  According to a recent survey, more than thirty million Americans consider it acceptable to make incorrect statements on their tax forms.  Apparently, the lines are blurred quickly when it comes to determining proper ethical conduct.  As the tax example shows, what is technically illegal may not necessarily be considered unethical.  The inverse argument fares no better.  One but needs to look at debates over abortion rights or death penalty to realize that a large number of people do not agree that something is ethical just because it is not illegal.

This topic gets even more complicated when looking at inter- national business practices.  What may be ethically acceptable to few in one country might be widely supported in another.  To revisit our tax example, it is believed that far more than half of Italy’s taxpayers submit incomplete or untruthful forms.

Yet, in cross-cultural business interactions there is a strong need for finding or establishing common ground between the parties.  When trying to establish agreement and identify potential issues, it may help to categorize the before- mentioned differences.  Three possible constellations warrant our consideration:

a.  A practice that is widely considered ethical within both
     cultures.

An example could be paying an intermediary between two parties. We will assume that both sides know of the arrangement.  No real issue exists here. Fortunately, many such practices exist in inter- national business, providing plenty of common ground for coopera- tion and collaboration.

b.  A practice that is widely considered unethical within
     both cultures.

An example might be corrupting officials or company represent- atives by offering them significant personal benefits in exchange for their support.  Assuming the practice is also illegal, which is usually the case, the issue here is not so much one of ethics, but one of enforcement.

Take China, for instance: while a majority of the Chinese believes that corruption is wrong and while the country’s leaders have attempted to curb it, the practice continues to be a significant factor in everyday business.  The only resort for foreign companies trying to resolve such issues is to seek the help of local author- ities, their own government, and of organizations such as the WTO or Transparency International.

c.  A practice that is widely considered ethical within one
     culture, but not within the other.

This is the field where cultural tensions most often mount. Examples are numerous and can go both ways: Chinese and South Korean businesspeople will view attempts to re-negotiate a contract perfectly acceptable even after they signed it – Ameri- cans will likely cry foul.  Japanese companies will find it very un- ethical if a U.S. partner terminates a cooperation agreement be- cause they found a more promising alternative – most Americans see no issue with that.  American companies usually have no problem with simultaneously cooperating and competing with the same business partner – many Asians and Latin Americans, as well as quite a few Europeans, will consider that unethical.  Amer- icans will refuse paying a government official a small bribe – many people in the Middle East (and elsewhere) may view that perfectly acceptable.

This last example may bother some a lot.  After all, did I not, under point b., list corruption as an issue both sides should work to eliminate?  Correct - but that was about officials receiving sig- nificant personal benefits.  In the “small bribe” case, think of customs or immigration officers expecting an insignificant sum for their services.  To them, such payments come with the job and help increase their otherwise (in the Middle East) dismal salaries.  Most members of their own cultures will find nothing wrong with that expectation, viewing it comparable to tipping a waiter in the United States.

To resolve these and other ethical disagreements, the party taking issue needs to recognize that it may be facing a cultural difference rather than intentionally unethical behavior.  That gives them two options, either to tolerate or comply with the other side’s practices, or to work with them by bringing the concern out in the open and then trying to resolve it together.

Nations and cultures are never unethical.  People, maybe.  How- ever, more often than not it “lies in the eyes of the beholder” whether a practice is ethical.  Rather than taking the high moral ground, you will be better off understanding what is going on and taking appropriate action to reconcile positions.

(This article is also available on our web page)
  Link to article on web page
 

Workshop On May 10 in Richardson, TX:
Effective Collaboration In International Settings

This all-day project management workshop is the first in
UTD's "Managing Projects Across Borders" series.
It will be facilitated by Dr. Sue Freedman and Lothar Katz.

 



Book Of The Month
Working GlobeSmart

 

Presents a global intercultural model that is based on a bundle of interpersonal, group, and organizational people skills.

(click title for full book review)

 


Web Site Of The Month
Thailand.com

 

In addition to the expectable hints for tourists, this site provides lots of useful trade and export information.

(click title to visit this web site)

 


Quote Of The Month
 

A culture is the sum
of all things about which
humanity can choose to differ

(Brian Eno)

 

Leadership Crossroads
is a global resource for

  • International Team Development
  • Global Business Coaching & Training
  • Cross-Cultural Project Management Assistance
  • Outsourcing Preparation
  • Cross-Cultural Negotiation Training and Assistance
  • Organizational Learning and Development
  • Executive Coaching
Would you like to know more about us?


 

The right place for your
and your company's
international and
cross-cultural
competency development


Lothar Katz is the founder of Leadership Crossroads.  He has a wealth of experience in achieving productive coopera-tion across cultures and driving business success on a global scale.
A seasoned former executive of a For­tune 500 company, he regularly interacted with employees, cus­tomers, out-sourcing partners, and third parties in more than 25 countries around the world.

 

Contact : info@leadershipcrossroads.com
 
Leadership CrossroadsTM, 2005

Global Business Practices:
Ten Tips For Doing Business in Thailand

  • Thailand is the only Southeast Asian country that was never under European rule. People are proud of their history. "Thai" means "free".
  • Saving face, ie, always talking and behaving in a way that others won't be embarrassed, is very important in everything you do.
  • However, Thai hierarchies can be very formal and managers quite authoritarian.
  • Be eloquent, but remain humble and respectful. Let people know you value them.
  • Negative replies are very impolite.  Instead, say "maybe",
    "we will consider it", or the like.
  • Buddhism discourages competition. Thai businesspeople may appear relaxed and not focused on achievements.
  • Realize that negotiations may take a long time. Spend significant efforts to build relationships first.
  • Telling the truth is not viewed as positive if it could be hurtful.
  • When seated, keep your feet planted on the ground rather than crossing them.
  • Do not expect to discuss business over lunch.

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