Reconciling ethics in the global market assignment

For example, assuming similarities between two English speaking cultures can create a block to intercultural communication, because two English speaking countries may have different alcohol tolerance regulations for the workplace and this can create an ethical conflict. How does a company or an individual bridge this gap? Knowledge and understanding of the other culture and its ethical values is one way to start shortening this gap. To understand and appreciate a different country or culture, one must first get to know the culture, and from knowing comes understanding.

Knowing one’s own culture and understanding is the other side of this equation in order to make comparisons and determine the differences versus the similarities. A business that wants to provide goods across a global, multicultural market, must know the tastes and preferences of the current geographical market versus those of the other markets where they want to invest. Does the firm have a product that can be changed and adapted to meet the local needs? Is the company willing to make these changes? Localizing a product may require making certain compromises and decision by the company (Guilty).

A critical challenge for global companies is reconciling the differences between the company and the country’s cultural and ethical beliefs. Understanding the differences is critical in determining whether to adapt existing products and strategies, or adopt new ones, to meet the different ethical, cultural, and religious expectations. References Axinn, C. & Blair, M. & Heorhiadi, A. & Thach, S. (2004). Comparing Ethical Ideologies Across Cultures. Journal of Business Ethics. 54, 103 ??? 119. Retrieved on October 19, 2007 from EBSCO database.

Stajkovic, A. & Luthans, F. (1997). Business Ethics Across Cultures: A social cognitive Model. Journal of World Business. 32(1), 17-34. Taylor, B. (2000, July). United Colors of Benetton ad campaign featuring death-row inmates. Reason. Retrieved October 21, 2007 from Gale Group. Lucky, C. (2007, April. Where’s the Beef? Meatless McDonalds Burgers in India. Retrieved October 21, 2007, from ProQuest database. Shapiro, Eben. (1992, April 17). Company news; Overseas Sizzle for McDonalds. New York Times. Retrieved October 21, 2008 from ProQuest database.