Corporate Ethics and Global Business: Philosophical Considerations on Intercultural Management

ETHICS IN INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS, B. N. Kumar & H. Steinmann , eds., Berlin/New York: Walter de Gruyter, pp. 13-46, 1998

37 Pages Posted: 16 Feb 2010

See all articles by Horst Steinmann

Horst Steinmann

University of Erlangen-Nuremberg-Friedrich Alexander Universität Erlangen Nürnberg

Andreas Georg Scherer

University of Zurich - IBW Department of Business Administration

Date Written: 1998

Abstract

In this paper we discuss the ethical challenges of Multinational Corporations operating in various cultures with different social expectations and ethical values. In particular, we focus on the contribution of the US model business principles for ethical conduct of Multinational Corporations and point to some limitations of this initiative. We discuss the philosophical problems of universalism and relativism of ethical standards and develop a culturalist perspective based on the constructivist approach of recent German philosophy. Finally, we outline the implications for the management of international companies.

Keywords: Business ethics, intercultural management, philosophy

Suggested Citation

Steinmann, Horst and Scherer, Andreas Georg, Corporate Ethics and Global Business: Philosophical Considerations on Intercultural Management (1998). ETHICS IN INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS, B. N. Kumar & H. Steinmann , eds., Berlin/New York: Walter de Gruyter, pp. 13-46, 1998, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1553111

Horst Steinmann

University of Erlangen-Nuremberg-Friedrich Alexander Universität Erlangen Nürnberg ( email )

Schloßplatz 4
Erlangen, DE Bavaria 91054
Germany

Andreas Georg Scherer (Contact Author)

University of Zurich - IBW Department of Business Administration ( email )

Plattenstrasse 14
Zurich, 8032
Switzerland
+41 44-63 45302 (Phone)
+41 44-63 45301 (Fax)

HOME PAGE: http://www.business.uzh.ch/professorships/as.html

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