Ethical Decision-Making in International Business: A Detailed Analysis

This report delves into the complexities of ethical decision-making within an international business context. It explores concepts such as "moral free space" and the influence of cultural values on stakeholder attitudes and behaviors. The report examines major forms of CSR initiatives undertaken by MNEs, highlighting examples and analyzing the need for managers to consider values beyond shareholder interests. It addresses challenges related to global ethics, offering strategies for international managers to navigate ethical dilemmas in diverse business environments, including the application of ethical decision-making models. The report also discusses strategies to overcome discriminatory employment practices, the implications of software piracy regulations, and the differences between relativist and absolutist perspectives on ethics. Furthermore, it emphasizes the importance of written codes of conduct and analyzes ethical management strategies employed by companies like Johnson & Johnson, Motorola, and Levi's. The report provides a comprehensive overview of ethical considerations in global business, offering valuable insights for managers and stakeholders.

Running Head: MANAGING IN INTERNATIONAL CONTEXT
Managing in international context
Student’s Name
University Name
Author’s Note

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MANAGING IN INTERNATIONAL CONTEXT
Question 1: What is referred to as “moral free space” in international business?
 Explore what Dunfee & Donaldson 1994 has to say about international business
environment.
 Reiterate the ethical values and beliefs we discussed in the first class in order to
understand the major factors that influences the attitude and behaviors of stakeholders in
international businesses
 Also take in to view the cognitive complexities that comes in to context while managing
international businesses
Question 2: What are the major forms of CSR initiatives that are supported by the MNEs?
Identify three most important categories and give example of CSR activities of three different
MNEs in context to those categories.
 It is preferable not to consider the CSR initiative that have been undertaken with the
intention of maximizing stakeholder’s values
 Explore why the managers of international businesses need to think beyond the
“shareholder value”
Question 3: What can international managers do in order to overcome the challenges related to
global ethics? Align your discussion with context to business environment in three different
countries.
 Discuss the potential strategies that are undertaken by the international managers in order
to ensure that their actions are ethical
 Discuss your views in context to the PLUS Ethical decision making model /Character
based decision making model

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MANAGING IN INTERNATIONAL CONTEXT
Question 4: Discuss the strategies to overcome the discriminatory employment practices in a host
country.
 Explore why many countries lack strict environmental and health regulations
 Do major MNEs employ expatriates or local national employees in the top management
positions?
 Identify the cultural differences that managers need to overcome with reference to three
major international case studies. Select the strategies with emphasis on the issues
highlighted in the case studies.
 Lastly, evaluate the importance of the ERPG model in handling international staffing
Question 5: What are the potential regulations against software piracy in USA? Discuss the
competency of those laws in preventing breach of business ethics in the software industry of
USA.
 Compare the regulatory framework of USA with that of Germany, Italy and Japan
 Identify and reflect the implications of The 1995 Annual report of Software Publishers
Association.
Question 6: What are basic differences of perception between the relativists and absolutists?
 Discuss your answer in context to real life examples of ethical standards of two
international managers who adopted each one of these two managerial styles.
Question 7: Discuss the importance of a written code of conduct.
 90% of the Fortune 500 listed companies have a written code of conduct
 70% of them have statement of vision and values

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 Identify why the US companies do not have statement of values or Code of Conduct
Question 8: Analyze the most appropriate model of maintaining ethical conduct in organization
in light of the ethics management strategies that have been employed in the organizations like
Jonson & Johnson, Motorola and Levis.
 Discuss the importance of The Credo Challenge sessions of Jonson & Johnson
 Identify the strategies for reduction of acceptance of bribery in the “away from home”
businesses