Ethics in International Management: Virtue Ethics and Kant's Theories

This essay delves into the realm of ethics in international management, focusing on two key areas: virtue ethics, as defined by Aristotle, and the categorical imperative, as conceptualized by Kant. The essay begins by explaining virtue ethics, emphasizing the importance of moral character and the role of virtues like patience in business success. It then contrasts the categorical imperative with Kant's 'end in itself' theory, highlighting how these ethical frameworks influence decision-making and stakeholder relations. The essay provides practical examples, such as navigating ethical dilemmas and managing stakeholder interactions based on their virtues. By analyzing these ethical theories, the essay aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of ethical considerations in the international business environment, offering insights into how managers can make morally sound decisions.

Running head- ETHICS IN INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT
Ethics in International Management
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1Ethics in International Management
Answer to 1
As per the Virtue ethics laid defined by Aristotle, it is a pursuit to lead a life with
moral personality, including the decision-making process that will be based upon the morality
and the virtues of the person. As per his theory, virtue is gained through continuous practice.
Virtue ethics is currently considered as one of the significant approaches to normative ethics
(Fernando & Moore, 2015). It focuses on the virtue and the moral character of the person
relating to the duties that he ought to do or any decision that he needs to take. Out of the
virtues, the most effective virtue in the business context would be patience. Without patience,
an empire cannot be built and successful as it is known that success is not achieved in one
day, and a person needs patients to makes successful business bits by bits (Kar, 2014). For
example, various ethical dillemas are very complicated and need the patience to understand
and solve them. As per the saying of the industrialist J Paul Jetty, “ Patience is the greatest
business asset,” and as per American Industrialist Henry Ford, “ Patients and foresight are
the two most important qualities in business.” Hence, without patience, a person will not be
able to analyze that situation and provide a solution for the same, and he will not be able to
accept his failures and learn from that. Hence in order to make the business successful, the
essential virtue is patience.
Answer to 2
In ethics, the categorical imperative is defined as the law that focuses upon the
morals that it is unreserved or complete for all mediators and the rationality or entitlement of
that is not dependent upon any hidden cause or end (Lindner & Bentzen, 2018). Whereas the
end in itself theory of Kant signifies that upon the application of it the humanity is treated as
an end in themselves (Nyholm, 2016). So it is the utmost importance to treat people, whether

2Ethics in International Management
themselves or someone else as an end and not a means. So both these theories contradict each
other as one depends upon the means and other as the end. For example, lying in business as-
is is the duty of a person to tell the truth, and not lie about anything. Even if in a situation, the
lie can bring better situations, we shall never lie. Another example is loyalty, as it will not be
right if a person is loyal to someone evil. It will make the other person evil, and the virtue of
loyalty will not remain good and turn evil.
Different stakeholders shall be treated differently based on their virtues both by the
employer and the manager. A person is known by their virtue, and the behavior with that
person also relates to the virtue he possesses. For example, a stakeholder who behaves badly
and very arrogantly cannot be treated with dignity (Formosa, 2014). Treating him with
dignity can induce pride in that person for which the outcome may be contrary. Whereas a
stakeholder who is helpful and friendly will be treated with dignity by others based on his
virtues.

3Ethics in International Management
Reference
Fernando, M., & Moore, G. (2015). MacIntyrean virtue ethics in business: A cross-cultural
comparison. Journal of Business Ethics, 132(1), 185-202.
Formosa, P. (2014). Dignity and respect: how to apply Kant's formula of humanity.
Kar, S. (2014). Ethical leadership: Best practice for success. IOSR Journal of Business and
Management, 1(14), 112-116.
Lindner, F., & Bentzen, M. M. (2018). A Formalization of Kant's Second Formulation of the
Categorical Imperative. arXiv preprint arXiv:1801.03160.
Nyholm, S. (2016). On K ant's Idea of Humanity as an End in Itself. European Journal of
Philosophy, 24(2), 358-374.