Analyze the impact of Ethics from a global perspective
Artifact
Dialogue Post, Week Four: Read the 1993 Parliament of the World’s Religions’ “Declaration Toward a Global Ethic (Links to an external site.)“. Share a few lines that you found interesting and/or beneficial. Overall, how persuasive do you find the case for commonality between the moral cores of different religions?
Rationale
I don’t see that ethics is having much of a global impact. I don’t see that MNEs are using sound judgment or creating and upholding ethical codes in their business practices. In week four we focused on global documents which attempt to establish some type of moral and ethical guidelines for people (moral agents) to follow. I am glad these resources are in-place, I was not aware they existed and I feel this is a good place to start addressing our global ethical issue. However, these documents are powerless unless they are visible and living (being utilized).
Change
I realize there is a problem with the absence of ethics and values in our world. I understand we have covenants and codes and declarations, but they are not visible and are not used, and are not required. I realize the world needs to come together and create a global ethical code for which we can operate and for which we can be held accountable.
Articulate the affect of globalization on culture, the environment, and the global economy
Artifact
Dialogue and Collaboration Posts, Week Three: D3-Our purpose in this discussion is to put together a picture of what humans are doing to our environment, using globalization as a lens. For example, you can research and describe what’s occurring globally (i.e. ocean acidification, water pollution, deforestation, etc.). OR you can also look at what is going on in a specific culture or nation-state (such as Nigeria, Brazil, India, China, etc…).
Once the problem is described, identify two or more causes for this effect. Is it something in the culture or legal system? Perhaps conflict, poverty or a bad leader contributed to the effect. As one of my bosses told me, “A problem properly defined is already half solved.”
C3: Identify the relationship between liberalism and globalization. How does one affect the other? Analyze the ethical considerations and frameworks when addressing the topics of liberalism.
Rationale: In week three we learned about the negative effect globalization is having on the environment and other factors involved, such as cultural (a bad leader) or economic (poverty). We also addressed liberalism in terms of globalization and different views on whether or not liberalism is good for globalization. In essence, globalization can have detrimental effects upon an area or several areas across cultures. Because we do not have a global ethical code for MNEs to follow, responsibility is largely up to the leadership of the MNE and the government of the culture with which it works. The environment, the economy and the people will pay the price of unethical, socially and environmentally irresponsible behavior from MNEs. Liberalism offers some regulation within globalization and therefore is not supported by many MNEs, governments and those profiting from the exploitation.
Change
My understanding of poverty and why it exists in this world has increased. I see the connection between the MNE, a location’s land, economy and working class people. I understand how MNEs are using (and abusing) these people of all cultures for profit. I realize globalization is having a negative effect in most areas and we need more MNEs like Patagonia if there is going to be an improvement. I have become more aware and thus more empathetic with the people of the cultures in which MNEs operate.
Evaluate different national and cultural contexts in terms of ethical theories/practices and related leadership theories/practices
Artifact
Dialogue Post, Week Five: Discuss a scenario (from the readings, videos or your own life) that involved a cultural difference that resulted (or could have resulted) in misunderstanding or in your offending someone. How can we apply “cultural intelligence” to our personal and professional life to avoid cultural gaffes? Why is respecting another’s culture so important?
Resources relating to the artfact:
- Olsen, J. (2010). Cultural gaffes at home and abroad . Retrieved fromhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHRcAPTxw0k
- Cultural Differences Video.wmv. (Uploaded 2011, May 14). . Retrieved fromhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l17q6GegVlc
- Peterson, B. (2004). Cultural intelligence: A guide to working with people from other cultures. Yarmouth, ME: Intercultural Press.
Rationale
Until we have some type of cultural intelligence, we cannot address ethical and sound leadership practices in other cultures. That being said, week five’s resources on cultural intelligence are a good place to start. The two videos and the Peterson text were on the mark for emphasizing the importance of cultural understanding before we enter into situations with different cultures. We really have a responsibility to internalize as much as possible if we want to build a business relationship. We cannot be blind (cultural blindness) and we cannot think our culture is superior. If we do, we risk missing out on the relationship as well as better ways of doing business. I also want to pull in Hofestede’s dimensions (week nine) for assessing national cultures as a tool for learning about these differences and as a guide when designing a intercultural management strategy. Knowing about the culture’s norms in terms of business aspects is key (individualism, masculinity, uncertainty avoidance and more).
Change
The paramount change in me is a better understanding of the importance of the differences and the similarities of every culture. We must understand the differences in order to respect one another and we must also celebrate the differences as well as the similarities. If we can be intelligent enough to do this, we have a chance of building meaningful relationships with intercultural people.
Evaluate the relationship between global and local perspectives today in terms of ethical theories/practices and related leadership theories/practices
Artifact
Collaboration Post, Week Nine: How can you apply these concepts (from the videos below) in your own organization or how could you apply them in your future career?
Collins, R. (2011). Intercultural management . Retrieved fromhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mrMNQ518WI (Links to an external site.)
Creating Cultural Synergy. (2012, June 22). Retrieved fromhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVCZ8QFlsMw (Links to an external site.)
Rationale
Attempting to apply a global ethic across cultures seems to be a feat of gigantic proportions. Local perspectives on human rights, morals, ethics and values vary greatly across cultures. Look at Hofestede’s cultural dimensions… every culture is different, not one is the same in all of the dimensions… how do we accommodate that when trying to find common ground? How can we find a common thread that every culture will relate to, embrace and implement within their ethical practices and leadership practices? On a smaller scale, week nine offered some resources on managing interculturally and preparing for interactions in business. Different cultures view the world and business in different ways and understanding these differences is key if one wants to be successful in international business. We cannot forget that there is opportunity to learn from other cultures and adapt new ways of doing business. Approaching diversity in a synergistic manner is best and the manner in which will bring the best possible outcomes.
Change
Aside from the frustration of realizing that creating a global ethical code is daunting, I have hope in the thought that we are all part of a whole. We are segmented and separated but we are all a part of the human race. The Dalai Lama reminds us we are all different, but we are all traveling on the same road. Professor Sonnier’s slideshow on Creating Cultural Synergy was a great resource because it warned of the dangers of cultural blindness, superiority and explained the potential for synergy among cultures working together. I will take care in the future to use the leadership approach which will maximize cultural synergy.
Apply ethical theories/practices and related leadership theories/practices to issues of global ethics
Artifact
Dialogue and Collaboration Posts, Week Two:
D2: View the two videos about Nike.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDOHExtc7WY (Links to an external site.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5uYCWVfuPQ (Links to an external site.)
Discuss the ethics and leadership at Nike in a Global context. What is the general impact that Nike is making on its market niche? Then, examine whether the organization is really achieving sustainability, as suggested by one of the videos. What is the impact of Nike on the suppliers and workers in it’s supply chain? Is this ethical?
C2: Deontological ethics endows all human beings with an absolute moral status. This has significant implications for thinking about ethics in the global marketplace. In particular, discuss the specific implications that a deontological ethic has on the multinational enterprises’ (MNE) practice of outsourcing labor to economically emerging communities (consider Arnold and Bowie’s Sweatshops and Respect for Persons). Secondly, consider how a utilitarian ethic might be used to support this MNE practice, but why this should be outweighed by a deontological ethic? Finally, assuming that sweatshops are a global problem, what might be a global solution to this problem?
Rationale
During week two, we were introduced to Nike’s sweat shops and discussed Deontological and Utilitarian ethical theories and the leadership of MNEs. We learned about the shadows MNEs can cast upon cultures when they do not operate ethically and choose a model of profit over people. The ethics, values and good will of the company is found in and modeled by leadership. Therefore, when values are not upheld, it falls upon leadership’s shoulders, such as what has happened with Nike. We examined the utilitarian view of any means to meet an end and the deontological view of rules based on higher morals. We agreed that MNEs operating unethically would favor the utilitarian view and would reject the deontological view due to cultural differences in religion. Later in the course we learned about Patagonia, which is an MNE that operates with the utmost care and responsibility. I was refreshed and inspired to learn how well Patagonia manages processes and procedures in order to respect and honor the people and the cultures with which it works.
Change
I became more aware of my responsibility as a consumer, to educate myself on how corporations operate, before I purchase their products. I also became more aware of injustice and how MNEs violate human rights. Just as I was disappointed in Nike, I was impressed by Patagonia and will use some of the methods I learned from their resources in my own life. One such process is auditing. Creating an auditing process to ensure quality is a great idea, and requiring departments to pass periodic quality audits is even better.
References
Chacon, C. (2011). Patagonia corporate responsibility [Patagonia youtube video]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WexueycQgmY.
Collins, R. (2011). Intercultural management . Retrieved fromhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mrMNQ518WI (Links to an external site.)
Creating Cultural Synergy. (2012, June 22). Retrieved fromhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVCZ8QFlsMw
Cultural Differences Video.wmv. (Uploaded 2011, May 14). . Retrieved fromhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l17q6GegVlc.
Hofstede, G. (2012). ITIM International. Retrieved from: https://geert-hofstede.com/countries.html.
Declaration Toward a Global Ethic
Olsen, J. (2010). Cultural gaffes at home and abroad . Retrieved fromhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHRcAPTxw0k.
Peterson, B. (2004). Cultural intelligence: A guide to working with people from other cultures. Yarmouth, ME: Intercultural Press.
Nike. Behind the Swoosh. Retrieved from: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDOHExtc7WY.
Shannon Corpuz 