How misconduct in business contributes to understanding the supply side of corruption in international business

Abstract

Purpose This study aims to offer a better understanding of supply side of bribery and corruption in an international business perspective by conceptualizing it in the narrower concept of misconduct in business (MIB) derived from the deontological perspective to business ethics. Design/methodology/approach The authors use a case study methodology of professionals working within Canadian mining multinational corporations operating in Africa. The authors conducted 2 focus groups, 25 in-depth interviews, document search and an open-ended questionnaire to 15 professionals. Further, they drew on a combination of the classic relationalist sociological framework and its recent revision, that they named the relationalism-substantialism framework to analyze the data. Findings The triangulated empirical data show that the reason why MIB in the form of bribery supply occurs is not exclusively tied to any given perspective, whether the individual, the organization or the wider societal context. Rather, these different layers are tightly intertwined and interact with each other for the supply of bribery to occur. Originality/value Although the three siloed perspectives of MIB have been studied in the literature, they have not been addressed in relation to one another, and even less with a relationalism-substantialism framework. Yet, this perspective contributes compellingly to the understanding of the supply side in bribery. The authors propose a net of conceptually related constructs that intervene in the process of bribery supply occurrence, namely relationality influenced by institutional dysfunctionality and conflation and substantiality through agency and culture.

Corruption Environment and Foreign Direct Investments in Croatia

“…The author concluded that FDI inflows improve when investors' perceptions of the level of corruption in these countries are more favorable for investment. Ertz et al (2019) used the case study methodology of experts working in Canadian mining multinational corporations operating in Africa. Triangulated empirical data showed that misconduct in business (MIB) in the form of bribery is not exclusively related to an individual's perspective, organization, or a broader social context.…”

Linking Ethical Standards for Healthcare Professionals with Indian Cultural Values

“…[18] It can be said that the right action is judged by the action itself and a person's intention to morally act. [19] Therefore, individuals are required to act in line with the rule or code of conduct without considering the impact of their actions. [20] Likewise, healthcare professionals are also expected to perform the duty that is at the heart of healthcare ethics.…”

“…[14] According to this school, the right action is judged by its outcome (e.g., the greatest good to the greatest number of people who are affected by the action). [19] Accordingly, healthcare professionals should be able to effectively assess the outcome of their conduct. [19] So teleological theory is useful to enhance the healthcare system to accomplish healthcare equality in India where citizens are varied in many respects.…”

“…[19] Accordingly, healthcare professionals should be able to effectively assess the outcome of their conduct. [19] So teleological theory is useful to enhance the healthcare system to accomplish healthcare equality in India where citizens are varied in many respects.…”

“…The assessment of healthcare professionals' ethical behavior needs to explore how well they provide a good service to the maximum number of citizens. [19]…”