Searching for New Paradigms in a Globalized World: Business Ethics as a Management Strategy

Abstract

The process of globalization is an undeniable reality of today's world. Yet, paradoxically, the cornerstone of this phenomenon, economic performance, varies widely across the world whatever indicator (for example, GDP/habitant, competitiveness) we choose to use to compare countries. Increasingly, studies tend to explain this apparently paradoxical situation with reference to the issue of corruption and ethics. In essence, corruption is perceived to be an important impediment to the economic development of a country (or area). Many studies of corruption are focused at the national level. The aim of this conceptual paper is to explore the role of the firm (as opposed to national states or international institutions) as an influence on national corruption. We call for firms to reconsider their behavior regarding corruption, particularly in relation to their relationships with their stakeholders. We argue that by focusing on issues such as cooperation and stakeholder theory, a firm will change the way it does businesses by reducing private‐to‐public as well as private‐to‐private corruption and incorporating business ethics into its management strategies.

Influence of theory, seniority, and religiosity on the ethical awareness of accountants

“…The importance of ethical behavior in business life has once again been emphasized following several worldwide corporate scandals. These scandals revealing corruption are largely due to the misconduct of accounting practice; Ogrean et al (2008) consider accounting irregularities as one of the main reasons for corruption. The makings of an accountant do not depend solely on technical knowledge, but also include ethical awareness in the face of serious ethical issues and dilemmas.…”

An Empirical Investigation of the Effects of Ethical Climates on Organizational Corruption

“…It also appears that corruption has existed since ancient times (Aguilera, Vadera 2008). Several studies have documented the negative effects of corruption -these negative effects range from economic development to different measures of economic welfare (Dumludag 2009;Mauro 1995;Ogrean et al 2008;Rose-Ackerman 2002;Rivera-Batiz 2001;Shleifer, Vishny 1993;Venard 2009). As one can infer from the evidence, studying the causes and consequences of organizational corruption is quite an important cause!…”

Hoshin Kanri: Policy Management in Japanese Subsidiaries Based in Poland

“…The Hoshin Kanri method developed in Japan in the late 1960s has now become an integral component in numerous organizations implementing new management concepts, such as TQM, Lean Management or Six Sigma. It is perceived as a main source of successful managemenent although not the one (Kazlauskaite, Buciuniene 2008;Nita 2008;Ogrean et al 2008). Yet it was not until the publication of an English translation of a seminal book edited by Y. Akao titled Hoshin Kanri: Policy deployment for successful TQM (Akao 1991) that it actually gained popularity among the methodologists and practitioners of management.…”