how can we become ethical intercultural communicators?

Corporate responsibility

vs.

local customary practice

ethical algorithm formula

contemporary issues affecting ethical dilemmas

• Global standard procedure vs. local justice issues

1) is it possible to conduct businesses successfully in the local culture without undertaking this practice?

2)is the practice a clear violation of a fundamental international human right?

the practice is permissible, if and only if the answer to both questions is NO

cultural variability framework

five-phase ethical decision making model

other questions to check ethical action..

corporate responsibility

vs.

local customary practice

moral duty of international organizations for social justice

Are you ethically confident and comfortable in defending your action in both the private and the public sectors?

Would you want the same action to be happening to you or directed at a close member of your family?

If you were designing an ideal global organization, would you want your employees to act that way?

problem recognition

information search

construction of alternatives

decision-making choice

implementation

Universalistic Value Orientation

Particularistic Value Orientation

Questions to consider

a set of consistent rules should apply to all individuals, regardless of relationship types or circumstances

what is legal or illegal, right or wrong, takes precedence over the particular details of who is involved in the particular situation

moral reasoning: "as the seriousness of the event increases, the obligation for helping the friend/relative decreases. The law was broken"

the nature of particular close friendship or relationship guides the ethical decision making

protecting the friend/relative takes precedence over what is right or wrong

moral reasoning: my friend/relative needs my help more than ever now.

Learning Objectives

cultural value clash and communication preference

Multiple Ethical Positions

Ethical absolutism

hypothetical scenario

emphasizes the principles of right and wrong in accordance with a set of universally fixed standards regardless of cultural differences

Ethical universalism

emphasizes the importance of deriving universal ethical guidelines by placing ethical judgments within the proper cultural context

Ethical relativism

emphasizes the importance of understanding the cultural context in which the problematic conduct is being judged

(+) integrative culture-universal and culture-specific interpretive framework

(-) imposed ethics / Eurocentric moral philosophies

(+)cross cultural consistency

(-)culturally imposed perspective

(+) cultural context is maximized

(-) too much cultural flexibility

• Define ethics
• Identify the key contemporary issues in pondering about an intercultural ethical dilemma situation
• Recommend some creative strategies to deal with ethical dilemmas
• Compare and contrast the ethical positions in making sound intercultural ethical judgments

• Who/which group perpetuates this practice; with what reasons?
• Who/which group resists this practice; with what reasons? Who benefits? Who suffers?
• Does practice cause unjustifiable suffering at pleasure of another group?
• What is my role, my “voice” in this dilemma?
• Should I reject this practice publicly and withdraw?
• Should I go along and find a solution?
• Can I visualize alternative solutions that honor cultural traditions yet reject intolerable practice?
• At what level can I implement this solution? Who are allies? Enemies?
• Should I act as change agent via grassroots effort?
• What changes in culture are needed to sustain the solution?

Your sister shoplifts at an expensive clothing store. You are the only person who sees this. Two police officers come in and start interrogating you.

What kind of action would you take?

How would this action be different if you saw a stranger shoplifting?

Is there an ethical dilemma between your reactions?

Ethics defined...

community's perspective on what is good and bad in human conduct

it leads to norms that regulate actions

regulates what should be and helps set standards for human behavior

Honor Killings and Ethics

how can we become ethical intercultural communicators?