Week 4

Question 1

Explain ethics

Answer 1

The study of morals and systems of morality, or principles of conduct. The standards of right and wrong, good and bad, in respect to character and conduct, which ought to be accepted by a class of individuals. 
(Greek ethos = habit, custom)

Question 2

Explain morality

Answer 2

The standards that a person or a society profess or what
they actually do.
(Latin moralis = customs)

Question 3

Outline the difference between ethics and morals

Answer 3

Ethics and morals both relate to “right” and “wrong” conduct. However, ethics refer to the series of rules provided to an individual by an external source. e.g. their profession. On the other hand, morals refer to an individual’s own principles regarding right and wrong.

Question 4

Define ‘personal integrity’

Answer 4

Personal Integrity is a strongly held sense of commitment to openness, honesty, inclusiveness and high standards in oneself. A person with integrity stands for what is right and acts as a role model to his or her peers.

Question 5

Outline the perspectives of western and eastern perspectives

Answer 5

Individualism vs Collectivism
The West:
Equality of individuals, their moral rights and responsibilities

North Asia: China, Japan & Korea

• Confucianism
• Collective ethical responsibility

Question 6

Outline some similarities between western and eastern perspectives

Answer 6

• Sense of right and wrong
• Compassion
• Pragmatic
• Order
• Tolerance
• Reciprocity

Question 7

Outline some ethical issues effecting an Intercultural Manager

Answer 7

• Product safety
• Labour and employment practices
•  Human rights and security
•  Bribery and corruption

Question 8

How do you respond to Cultural Problems with Personal Integrity?

Answer 8

• Reconcile. Don’t convert the other into your own culture
•  Reconcile. Don’t give up the integrity of your own culture.
• Reconcile. Realise that every individual mediates with the cultural system one is born into. And finds themselves at variance with their own cultural system, until another system shows up.

Conflict is essential to the cross-cultural dilemma just as it is to life. Therefore,

• Competence comes from dealing with the individual(s) from the other culture at an individual level.
• Mediate with a cultural system together with the person(s) of the other culture.

Question 9

Explain the Individual/personal global mindset applied to ethics and corporate sustainability

Answer 9

Self: Clarify and understand my beliefs about ethical behaviour
Other: Clarify and understand other beliefs about ethical behaviour in the context of other cultures and principal theories of moral philosophy
Choice: Belief in and commitment to a set of ethical principles

Question 10

Explain the organisational global mindset applied to ethics and corporate sustainability

Answer 10

Self: Clarify and understand my organisation’s approach to corporate sustainability.
Other: Clarify and understand other corporate approaches to sustainability in the context of other industries, other cultures and principal codes of conduct.
Choice: Belief in and commitment to an approach to corporate sustainability

Question 11

What does the US law Foreign Corrupt Practices Act state?

Answer 11

US citizens as well as foreign companies with securities listed in the USA to make a payment to a foreign office to obtain business for or with, or directing business to, any person or company.