Week VII

PHI 6301, Professional Ethics 1

Course Learning Outcomes for Unit VII Upon completion of this unit, students should be able to:

2. Assess ethical behavior to current high-profile events. 2.1 Explain the failure of ethical leadership in a business organization. 2.2 Discuss corporate culture and/or governance of a company.

3. Consider businesses’ ethical obligations to the environment.

3.1 Explain a business’ ethical obligation to an environment issue.

4. Evaluate current ethical issues in business. 4.2 Explain the importance of whistleblowing in the workplace and why it needs protecting. 4.3 Discuss two forms of discrimination in the workplace.

6. Evaluate global ethical issues in business.

6.1 Assess one topic in global business ethics. 6.2 Determine a solution for an issue in global ethics.

7. Critique the ethical approaches used in contemporary business marketing techniques.

7.2 Explain an ethical business practice and its impact on a company’s bottom line.

Required Unit Resources Chapter 12: International Business and Globalization In order to access the following resources, click the links below. Chan, J., Pun, N., & Selden, M. (2013). The politics of global production: Apple, Foxconn and China’s new

working class. Business Source Ultimate, 28(2), 100–115. https://libraryresources.columbiasouthern.edu/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?dire ct=true&db=bsu&AN=89149713&site=ehost-live&scope=site

Berkey, B. (2021). Sweatshops, structural injustice, and the wrong of exploitation: Why multinational corporations have positive duties to the global poor. Business Source Ultimate 169(1), 43–56. https://libraryresources.columbiasouthern.edu/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?dire ct=true&db=bsu&AN=150472168&site=ehost-live&scope=site

Unit Lesson There will be a short discussion on the history of globalization in this lesson and how it relates to business ethics. We will also discuss the advantages and disadvantages of globalization. Finally, some of the most pressing contemporary issues facing business ethics in the global arena today will be identified. The beginning of globalization can be traced back to the old silk road which flourished between 130 BC until 1453 AD. It is during this time the early beginnings of globalization can be traced from East to West (Sarwar, 2017). Some may wonder why a discussion about the old silk road is important today. There are many ways the world has changed since that time. Technological innovations and advances, increasing digitalization, and the rate of modern globalization progressively continues to move at a faster rate.

UNIT VII STUDY GUIDE

Pressing Global Business, Issues, and Its Ethical Implications

PHI 6301, Professional Ethics 2

UNIT x STUDY GUIDE

Title

The Silk Road was a series of trade routes beginning in China to Persia, to Central Asia, and finally to Europe. The silk road was recognized as an economic corridor and a place to purchase spices and silk. The old silk road is an appropriate place to begin this lesson since its origin lies in the ancient Chinese city of Xi’an located in North-Central China (Britannica, 2021). Today, China has increasingly become one of the most dominating world economic powers which is expected to overtake the U.S. as an economic powerhouse by the year 2028 (BBC News, 2020). The prediction is China will replace the United States as the leading economic power soon (BBC News, 2020). The world may in fact be witnessing the renaissance of the old Silk Road. Although the author of the textbook raises a question about the definition of globalization, this term should be explained more thoroughly. According to Melina Kolb, assistant vice president for digital communications at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, globalization can be thought of as the increasing interrelationships and interdependence of peoples, cultures, and economies. The result is transnational trades of capital investments and assets, services, goods, technologies, and information services across the world (Kolb, 2021). Since the beginning of the old Silk Road, countries have built interrelationships regarding trade and other areas with each other over the course of many centuries. However, the contemporary use of the term, globalization, came into prominence as a result of the fall of the Berlin wall in 1989 and the eventual collapse of the former Soviet Union (Vanham, 2019). It was about 1995 that the newly created World Trade Organization (WTO) advocated for all nations to enter into free trade agreements, including China, which was formerly known to be somewhat isolated, having at that time an agrarian economy, though had also just begun engaging in manufacturing and exporting around the world (Vanham, 2019). As a result of free trade agreements along with several additional factors, globalization has since been increasing at a dizzying speed of pace. Today, globalization has entered both the digital economy and the cyber world as well (Vanham, 2019). Although there are many benefits of globalization and the new ways businesses engage in commerce and trade, there are also disadvantages associated with globalization. First, let us examine some benefits of globalization and its relationship to commerce and business. It should be mentioned that more generally, globalization has benefited many people around the world, putting them essentially into the global middle class (Vanham, 2019). Yet, there are also an additional number of benefits associated with globalization, some of which include:

• The rise of trans-border investments,

• increased cooperation amongst countries, and

• economic growth, including access to resources, jobs, and labor around the world (Stobierski, 2021). As intended or unintended consequences, some benefits as described above also aim at the ethical well- being of human beings. For example, think of how people in some foreign countries have benefited from higher wages which led to a higher standard of living which may include better access to healthcare and additional benefits. Now that there has been some idea of the benefits of globalization, there should also be a discussion of the disadvantages as well. One of the greatest disadvantages of increasing globalization is climate change as a result of ever rising greenhouse gas emissions, the cutting down of forests, and the increase of pollution as a further result of the rising populations around the world (Stobierski, 2021). Of course, just the aforementioned could be cause for alarm regarding the moral implications of global warming, though there are also additional disadvantages as well that should be mentioned. Some of these disadvantages include:

• Disproportionate growth within and among nations.

• An increase in competition amongst and between organizations and workers around the world (Stobierski, 2021).

For example, think of companies that outsource employment to a foreign country as a result of workers willing to be paid lower salaries or wages.

PHI 6301, Professional Ethics 3

UNIT x STUDY GUIDE

Title

One emerging area of concern falls under the domain of labor standards across the globe. This includes the rise of sweatshops in developing countries. Arguments have been made regarding obligations of fairness as a result of some companies offering lower pay and/or poor working conditions than the host countries that are hiring the workers. Also, safety protocols are an issue, since there is a difference in safety standards across different countries (Ast, 2018). Another area of concern falls under the domain of human rights. Some companies confront the issue of operating in countries that have been accused of human rights violations. This issue comes up frequently in the news today. Not long ago, it has been alleged that Google agreed to the Chinese government’s request to censor key words from its search engine such as Dalai Lama or Tiananmen Square and other related persons and/or forces hostile to the Chinese government (Ast, 2018). Another area of contention falls under the domain of cultural diversity. International law contains language that states corporations should respect the values, cultures, social norms, and customs of host countries they operate in. One last area of concern that should be mentioned is the corruption that occurs in many places across the world with regard to global business interactions. This occurs in many ways, levels, and formats. For example, corruption may occur through the use of bribes ranging from a few dollars to bribe a low-level government official to million-dollar bribes to high-ranking government officials. Part of the problem with respect to this type of corruption is that bribery is, in some cases, not considered morally wrong in some foreign countries. In fact, bribery may be viewed as the norm for business practices in some countries (Ast, 2018).

References Ast, F. (2018). The moral dilemmas of global business. https://www.intechopen.com/chapters/60620 Britannica. (2021, June 14). Xi'an. https://www.britannica.com/place/Xian-China BBC News. (2020). Chinese economy to overtake the U.S. by ‘2028’ due to Covid.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-55454146 Freepik. (n.d.). Hand drawn business ethics (Illustration). https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/hand-drawn-

business- ethics_11189389.htm#query=business%20philosophy&position=12&from_view=search&track=ais

Kolb, M. (2021, August 24). What is globalization? Peterson Institute of International Economics.

https://www.piie.com/microsites/globalization/what-is-globalization#Intro-AhF37Q07lb Sarwar, L. (2017). The old silk road and the new silk road: An analysis of the changed discourse. The Journal

of Central Asian Studies, 24(1), 13-22I. https://www.proquest.com/scholarly-journals/old-silk-road- new-analysis-changed-discourse/docview/2240072666/se-2?accountid=14375

Stobierski, T. (2021, April 1). 6 pros and cons of globalization in business to consider. Harvard Business

School Online. https://online.hbs.edu/blog/post/pros-and-cons-of-globalization Vanham, P. (2019, Jan 17). A brief history of globalization. World Economic Forum.

https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2019/01/how-globalization-4-0-fits-into-the-history-of-globalization/

Suggested Unit Resources In order to access the following resource, click the link below. The following article discusses and re-evaluates the moral authority of global ethical norms, so they are not merely a reflection of the prevailing hegemonic ideologies and values of Western economic power.

PHI 6301, Professional Ethics 4

UNIT x STUDY GUIDE

Title

Michaelson, C. (2010). Revisiting the global business ethics question. Business Source Ultimate 20(2), 237– 251. https://libraryresources.columbiasouthern.edu/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?dire ct=true&db=bsu&AN=49005034&site=ehost-live&scope=site

PHI 6301, Professional Ethics 1

Course Learning Outcomes for Unit VII Upon completion of this unit, students should be able to:

2. Assess ethical behavior to current high-profile events. 2.1 Explain the failure of ethical leadership in a business organization. 2.2 Discuss corporate culture and/or governance of a company.

3. Consider businesses’ ethical obligations to the environment.

3.1 Explain a business’ ethical obligation to an environment issue.

4. Evaluate current ethical issues in business. 4.2 Explain the importance of whistleblowing in the workplace and why it needs protecting. 4.3 Discuss two forms of discrimination in the workplace.

6. Evaluate global ethical issues in business.

6.1 Assess one topic in global business ethics. 6.2 Determine a solution for an issue in global ethics.

7. Critique the ethical approaches used in contemporary business marketing techniques.

7.2 Explain an ethical business practice and its impact on a company’s bottom line.

Required Unit Resources Chapter 12: International Business and Globalization In order to access the following resources, click the links below. Chan, J., Pun, N., & Selden, M. (2013). The politics of global production: Apple, Foxconn and China’s new

working class. Business Source Ultimate, 28(2), 100–115. https://libraryresources.columbiasouthern.edu/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?dire ct=true&db=bsu&AN=89149713&site=ehost-live&scope=site

Berkey, B. (2021). Sweatshops, structural injustice, and the wrong of exploitation: Why multinational corporations have positive duties to the global poor. Business Source Ultimate 169(1), 43–56. https://libraryresources.columbiasouthern.edu/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?dire ct=true&db=bsu&AN=150472168&site=ehost-live&scope=site

Unit Lesson There will be a short discussion on the history of globalization in this lesson and how it relates to business ethics. We will also discuss the advantages and disadvantages of globalization. Finally, some of the most pressing contemporary issues facing business ethics in the global arena today will be identified. The beginning of globalization can be traced back to the old silk road which flourished between 130 BC until 1453 AD. It is during this time the early beginnings of globalization can be traced from East to West (Sarwar, 2017). Some may wonder why a discussion about the old silk road is important today. There are many ways the world has changed since that time. Technological innovations and advances, increasing digitalization, and the rate of modern globalization progressively continues to move at a faster rate.

UNIT VII STUDY GUIDE

Pressing Global Business, Issues, and Its Ethical Implications

PHI 6301, Professional Ethics 2

UNIT x STUDY GUIDE

Title

The Silk Road was a series of trade routes beginning in China to Persia, to Central Asia, and finally to Europe. The silk road was recognized as an economic corridor and a place to purchase spices and silk. The old silk road is an appropriate place to begin this lesson since its origin lies in the ancient Chinese city of Xi’an located in North-Central China (Britannica, 2021). Today, China has increasingly become one of the most dominating world economic powers which is expected to overtake the U.S. as an economic powerhouse by the year 2028 (BBC News, 2020). The prediction is China will replace the United States as the leading economic power soon (BBC News, 2020). The world may in fact be witnessing the renaissance of the old Silk Road. Although the author of the textbook raises a question about the definition of globalization, this term should be explained more thoroughly. According to Melina Kolb, assistant vice president for digital communications at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, globalization can be thought of as the increasing interrelationships and interdependence of peoples, cultures, and economies. The result is transnational trades of capital investments and assets, services, goods, technologies, and information services across the world (Kolb, 2021). Since the beginning of the old Silk Road, countries have built interrelationships regarding trade and other areas with each other over the course of many centuries. However, the contemporary use of the term, globalization, came into prominence as a result of the fall of the Berlin wall in 1989 and the eventual collapse of the former Soviet Union (Vanham, 2019). It was about 1995 that the newly created World Trade Organization (WTO) advocated for all nations to enter into free trade agreements, including China, which was formerly known to be somewhat isolated, having at that time an agrarian economy, though had also just begun engaging in manufacturing and exporting around the world (Vanham, 2019). As a result of free trade agreements along with several additional factors, globalization has since been increasing at a dizzying speed of pace. Today, globalization has entered both the digital economy and the cyber world as well (Vanham, 2019). Although there are many benefits of globalization and the new ways businesses engage in commerce and trade, there are also disadvantages associated with globalization. First, let us examine some benefits of globalization and its relationship to commerce and business. It should be mentioned that more generally, globalization has benefited many people around the world, putting them essentially into the global middle class (Vanham, 2019). Yet, there are also an additional number of benefits associated with globalization, some of which include:

• The rise of trans-border investments,

• increased cooperation amongst countries, and

• economic growth, including access to resources, jobs, and labor around the world (Stobierski, 2021). As intended or unintended consequences, some benefits as described above also aim at the ethical well- being of human beings. For example, think of how people in some foreign countries have benefited from higher wages which led to a higher standard of living which may include better access to healthcare and additional benefits. Now that there has been some idea of the benefits of globalization, there should also be a discussion of the disadvantages as well. One of the greatest disadvantages of increasing globalization is climate change as a result of ever rising greenhouse gas emissions, the cutting down of forests, and the increase of pollution as a further result of the rising populations around the world (Stobierski, 2021). Of course, just the aforementioned could be cause for alarm regarding the moral implications of global warming, though there are also additional disadvantages as well that should be mentioned. Some of these disadvantages include:

• Disproportionate growth within and among nations.

• An increase in competition amongst and between organizations and workers around the world (Stobierski, 2021).

For example, think of companies that outsource employment to a foreign country as a result of workers willing to be paid lower salaries or wages.

PHI 6301, Professional Ethics 3

UNIT x STUDY GUIDE

Title

One emerging area of concern falls under the domain of labor standards across the globe. This includes the rise of sweatshops in developing countries. Arguments have been made regarding obligations of fairness as a result of some companies offering lower pay and/or poor working conditions than the host countries that are hiring the workers. Also, safety protocols are an issue, since there is a difference in safety standards across different countries (Ast, 2018). Another area of concern falls under the domain of human rights. Some companies confront the issue of operating in countries that have been accused of human rights violations. This issue comes up frequently in the news today. Not long ago, it has been alleged that Google agreed to the Chinese government’s request to censor key words from its search engine such as Dalai Lama or Tiananmen Square and other related persons and/or forces hostile to the Chinese government (Ast, 2018). Another area of contention falls under the domain of cultural diversity. International law contains language that states corporations should respect the values, cultures, social norms, and customs of host countries they operate in. One last area of concern that should be mentioned is the corruption that occurs in many places across the world with regard to global business interactions. This occurs in many ways, levels, and formats. For example, corruption may occur through the use of bribes ranging from a few dollars to bribe a low-level government official to million-dollar bribes to high-ranking government officials. Part of the problem with respect to this type of corruption is that bribery is, in some cases, not considered morally wrong in some foreign countries. In fact, bribery may be viewed as the norm for business practices in some countries (Ast, 2018).

References Ast, F. (2018). The moral dilemmas of global business. https://www.intechopen.com/chapters/60620 Britannica. (2021, June 14). Xi'an. https://www.britannica.com/place/Xian-China BBC News. (2020). Chinese economy to overtake the U.S. by ‘2028’ due to Covid.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-55454146 Freepik. (n.d.). Hand drawn business ethics (Illustration). https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/hand-drawn-

business- ethics_11189389.htm#query=business%20philosophy&position=12&from_view=search&track=ais

Kolb, M. (2021, August 24). What is globalization? Peterson Institute of International Economics.

https://www.piie.com/microsites/globalization/what-is-globalization#Intro-AhF37Q07lb Sarwar, L. (2017). The old silk road and the new silk road: An analysis of the changed discourse. The Journal

of Central Asian Studies, 24(1), 13-22I. https://www.proquest.com/scholarly-journals/old-silk-road- new-analysis-changed-discourse/docview/2240072666/se-2?accountid=14375

Stobierski, T. (2021, April 1). 6 pros and cons of globalization in business to consider. Harvard Business

School Online. https://online.hbs.edu/blog/post/pros-and-cons-of-globalization Vanham, P. (2019, Jan 17). A brief history of globalization. World Economic Forum.

https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2019/01/how-globalization-4-0-fits-into-the-history-of-globalization/

Suggested Unit Resources In order to access the following resource, click the link below. The following article discusses and re-evaluates the moral authority of global ethical norms, so they are not merely a reflection of the prevailing hegemonic ideologies and values of Western economic power.

PHI 6301, Professional Ethics 4

UNIT x STUDY GUIDE

Title

Michaelson, C. (2010). Revisiting the global business ethics question. Business Source Ultimate 20(2), 237– 251. https://libraryresources.columbiasouthern.edu/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?dire ct=true&db=bsu&AN=49005034&site=ehost-live&scope=site