Question

What is ethical in one country may be unethical       or illegal in other countries – and vice versa. Nevertheless, ethical imperialism (absolute belief that “there is only one set of Ethics, and we have it!”) is alive and well.  You may be able to identify some values that seem to be almost universally accepted.  However, such is not the case with all values.  As a result, does a global company need to “pick sides” in ethical controversies and thus be an “ethical imperialist?” (10 marks; max 1000 words).

Answer 1

There could be several examples where we can find some situations are ethical in one country and any similar situations are unethical in other country. Let me share such examples like we can see child labor in underdeveloped or developing countries, they are doing such work to meet their daily needs like foods, shelter, living just life, they do support their home by doing such kind of hard working. Child labor event may not be always banned in underdeveloped countries. Here, they are compelled to take such hard working tasks at the low age. Such work may not be illegal in their countries, as there are cause like children and their family need to live with their daily life and they need earning to serve their family. Hence, in underdeveloped country, such works go ethical. However, in developed countries, child labor is strictly prohibited and Govt. is finding alternative way to send improvised children to school as to get education and children are also fed at free of cost. Children can’t be employed at such low age. Even, any company employs any children at their company for doing hardworking; such event can be considered as illegal practice. Such company could scratch their reputation as well.

Again, another example like discrimination, where people are judged and discriminated based on Religion, this could be looked as ethical in many countries. People are somehow divided, many people has restricted access to some areas as they are belong to another community. However, in developed countries, people are judged irrespective of their religion.

We can find many companies follow practices of “ethical imperialist”, here; they build some practices which are followed in all divisions. MNC or Multi National companies are implementing ethical practices, these are viable in segments, and even any deviation in underdeveloped country could bring issues with losing reputation in their domestic place. Hence, they are keeping more focus on implementing such practices at all the places or divisions, they could be falling into controversy and ethical dilemma could be happened, to get away from such situation, they should be working on building ethical practices and keep the work environment free from any ethical issues.