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Business Ethics and Globalization

Wendy Lile

XMGT216

University of Phoenix

Due March 30, 2012

Allan Bardos

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Business Ethics and GlobalizationOne ethical issue is that, in other countries, bribes are an acceptable part of business

transactions. People in different cultures actually see taking money exchange for having

business done right as okay. In the American culture, of course, this is not okay. So it could be

very confusing and stressful for an American international business manager to have to do

business in these kinds of countries because to them bribery is wrong but if they want the job

done correctly and the transaction taken care of they must either do something wrong or stand by

their own culture, explain that in American culture that it is wrong and hope for the best. Thanks

to the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act though, this is not as much of a problem anymore because

Americans can cite the law if the issue of a bribe arises.

Misinterpretation could be another ethical issue that will most likely arise during a

business transaction. The text says that different “corrupt countries” can use misinterpretation to

play “dirty tricks” on an American business person with their “negotiation styles and tactics.”

Accepting gifts from customers by an employee is another situation that should be

handled very lightly. In the United States, it would not be right for an employee to accept a

personal present unless it is clearly stated in the job description that employees work for tips.

Most companies here will say that it is okay to accept a gift on behalf of the company, and then

display it in the lobby of the store or office to show the customer appreciation. But if an

American business person was to go to another country and was offered a gift for doing a job

well done, I would definitely have to check into that first with my superiors. Actually, before

going to another country this business person should have taken the time to learn as much as they

could about their culture first. Is gift giving a commonality in this country? Do they expect

anything in return? Or is it simply a token of appreciation? Are they going to get offended if the

gift is rejected? It might also all depend on the situation, so they know they’re from another

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country so they should not be offended. Anything too personal though should not be accepted in

any situation because they are representing a company and the gift could only be accepted on

behalf of the company.