Convergence and Divergence of Ethical Values across Nations: A Framework for Managerial Action

Abstract

The paper presents a comprehensive survey and critique of literature on human values and ethics in business across diverse cultures. According to the author, the key issue in this discourse is not about whose values and morality, but about what values and morality. The author argues for a holistic paradigm in this discourse, grounded in deep philosophy and drawing upon the spiritual values of humanism. The consumerist, market economy Western models of ethics cannot be the only answer to values issues surfacing in the wake of increasing economic globalization.The most exciting thing about international business is that it offers the opportunity to discover the human values that resonate through all cultures.1What is more ethical—considering all nations as if they were same or accepting different standards of behaviour in different contexts?