Deck 10: Think Local, Act Global: International Business

Question 1

Appiah points out some examples of how Western products and media have become popular in traditional, non-Western cultures. Is this a bad thing? What if traditional cultures are lost and everyone becomes more Westernized? Does this sometimes constitute "cultural imperialism"? If so, when?

Answer 1

No Answer

Question 2

Explain the distinction that Donaldson draws between cultural relativism and absolutism (or ethical imperialism). Do you think that one of these views is the correct one? Donaldson tries to create a middle ground between them. Does he succeed in doing this?

Answer 2

No Answer

Question 3

What are good reasons for adopting compassion as a fundamental value? List five or six. What are the limits of compassion? Should businesspeople be more compassionate? Why or why not?

Answer 3

No Answer

Question 4

Explain Donaldson's "Three Guiding Principles" for balancing competing values. Choose one of the case studies at the end of the chapter and apply Donaldson's principles to it. Are they helpful in that case?

Question 5

Write five guidelines for an ethical corporate culture that would work in any society.

Question 6

What do you think of Donaldson's "Guidelines for Ethical Leadership"? How can you improve them?

Question 7

Explain Wettstein's conditions for determining when a company is complicit in human rights violations. In the case of "IBM's Business with Hitler," which of these conditions, if any, did IBM meet? Does Wettstein's theory show that IBM was complicit?

Question 8

Explain the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Find three problems with this act. How could these problems be solved?

Question 9

In your own words, explain the argument from Matt Zwolinski outlined in the box on p. 367. How would Arnold and Bowie object to this argument? Are you more sympathetic to Arnold and Bowie or to Zwolinski? Why?

Question 10

Write three short scenes illustrating different misunderstandings that could arise between a businessperson with Confucian beliefs and one with typical Western beliefs about business.

Question 11

Explain the quandary at PureDrug. How would you solve the quandary?

Question 12

Disagreements about values are not always about who is right and who is wrong, according to Isaiah Berlin. He says:

A) "Values can clash, that is why civilizations are incompatible."
B) "Justice yields to markets."
C) "No culture's ethics are better than any other's."
D) "Moral judgment is a kind of coinage valid only in its country of origin."
E) "Values are soft and unspoken."

Question 13

Some traditional ways of living are disappearing in the face of globalization. Appiah's opinion of this is that:

A) We should preserve as many options as possible, so that people can make choices.
B) We should preserve traditional ways of living, because they are valuable in themselves.
C) We should allow people to abandon old ways that no longer make economic sense.
D) Both (a) and (b)
E) Both (a) and (c)

Question 14

What is Appiah's opinion of "cultural imperialism"?

A) Americans export too many English-language movies to France.
B) Western media overpowers local media and drowns it out.
C) Traditional cultures are changed in damaging ways by Western media.
D) People are not "blank slates" to be overwritten by Western culture.
E) We should try to protect the purity of other cultures.

Question 15

What is Appiah's point about authentic culture?

A) More authentic cultural practices are more valuable and should be preserved.
B) Dumping cheap Western clothes into the market means that people cannot afford their own traditional attire.
C) Most people are not that interested in their own culture's authentic traditions.
D) It is hard to say what is "authentic" because cultures have always blended with and influenced each other.
E) It is hard to say what is "authentic" because so much has been forgotten.

Question 16

The researchers who studied international viewers of American soap operas discovered:

A) People tend to prefer local programs that are close to their own culture.
B) People tend to prefer American programs instead of local ones.
C) People respond to the American programs according to their existing cultural context.
D) Both (a) and (c)
E) Both (b) and (c)

Question 17

Why does Appiah praise "contamination"?

A) Traditional cultures are sustained and protected.
B) Cultures have always blended and become enriched by the process.
C) Globalization is unrealistic and unappealing.
D) Cultural purity would be better, but unfortunately it is no longer possible.
E) None of the above; Appiah thinks we should avoid contamination.

Question 18

Moral clarity "often blurs" when we do what, according to Donaldson?

A) Go to another country
B) Read an anthropology textbook
C) Go to an esoteric sports game
D) Visit the Olympics
E) Fall in love with someone we know we shouldn't

Question 19

Cultural relativism must be content that there are no __________ ethical guidelines.

A) international
B) intergender
C) interracial
D) interdicting
E) None of the above

Question 20

According to Donaldson, neither __________ nor __________ is truly helpful to real-world decision making by businesses.

A) moral isolationism, Smithian economics
B) relativism, absolutism
C) revelation, absolutism
D) revaluation, absoluteness
E) capitalism, socialism

Question 21

The "hard truths" that Donaldson contends must guide all managers' moral compasses are termed:

A) Moral guidelines
B) Core human values
C) Moral agents
D) Ethical imperatives
E) Dogmatic principles

Question 22

Absolutism in ethics is the view that:

A) A company must consider its ethical code as an absolute, not negotiable.
B) Different cultures must be respected.
C) There is one set of ethical truths that call for the same behavior anywhere in the world.
D) The host country's ethics must overrule any other considerations.
E) Core human values must be respected, come what may.

Question 23

Donaldson's recommendation for building an ethical corporate culture is to:

A) Obey the ethical standards of the country in which you are doing business.
B) Obey American ethical standards, wherever you are.
C) Rely on a company code of conduct that offers specific guidance.
D) Trust your intuition and personal core values.
E) Be flexible about corporate values and moral standards.

Question 24

The main question of Wettstein's paper is:

A) Why would a business speak out against human rights violations?
B) What should businesses do to prevent human rights violations?
C) What does it mean to be silently complicit?
D) What are the different ways in which one can be complicit?
E) Under what conditions is a business silently complicit in human rights violations?

Question 25

Silent complicity is:

A) Failing to fulfill a positive duty to help protect others
B) Failing to fulfill a negative duty to avoid harming others
C) Failing to fulfill a passive duty to avoid harming others
D) Failing to realize that you have a duty to protect others
E) Failing to realize that you are actively harming others

Question 26

Wettstein says that we all have a passive negative duty to do no harm, as long as one condition has been met, which is:

A) Connection
B) Legitimization
C) Voluntariness
D) Silence
E) Influence

Question 27

A company that has the power or influence to improve the situation of victims therefore has:

A) A passive duty
B) A positive duty
C) A negative duty
D) Beneficial complicity
E) Active complicity

Question 28

The legitimization requirement means:

A) The company has verified that there is a legitimate human rights violation.
B) The company's silence is taken as an endorsement of the human rights violation.
C) The company is legally and morally allowed to do business in a country.
D) The company's protests against the violation legitimize its presence in the country.
E) The company has a reputation for being honest and legitimate.

Question 29

In the case of Ken Saro-Wiwa, Wettstein believes that Shell:

A) Had enough influence to stop Saro-Wiwa's execution if they had wanted to
B) Was silently complicit in Saro-Wiwa's execution
C) Was actively complicit in Saro-Wiwa's execution
D) Both (a) and (b)
E) Both (a) and (c)

Question 30

Which of these concerns is NOT addressed in the U.N.'s Global Compact?

A) Preventing child labor
B) Protecting collective bargaining
C) Environmentally friendly technology
D) Eliminating corruption and bribery
E) Paying a fair living wage

Question 31

Noonan points out that bribing has historically been what?

A) Socially disapproved
B) Accepted
C) Needed
D) Wanted
E) A cause of war

Question 32

Noonan suggests that religion is what on a grand scale?

A) Justice
B) Bribery
C) Illicit behavior
D) Etiquette
E) Immortality

Question 33

One of Noonan's points is that there is a fundamental distinction between a bribe and:

A) Justice
B) "Kissing up"
C) A gift
D) A weapon
E) None of the above

Question 34

The bribe is ideologically __________, according to Noonan.

A) advantageous
B) neutral
C) hindering
D) foolish
E) wise

Question 35

When bribing is discovered, the punishments are often carried out in which manner?

A) Directly by the people
B) By military forces
C) By law enforcement
D) Directly by the judicial system
E) Indirectly through social sanctions

Question 36

The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act applies to:

A) All companies in the world
B) American companies
C) Companies doing business or trading in the United States
D) Companies that have been caught offering bribes in the past
E) Both (b) and (c)

Question 37

Which of the following is not a reason Arnold and Bowie cite for why multi-national enterprises should pay employees enough to satisfy basic needs?

A) Doing so provides them with opportunities for moral development
B) Doing so will benefit the local economy
C) Doing so allows for the cultivation of self-esteem
D) Doing so ensures the physical wellbeing and independence of employees
E) Doing so contributes to the development of their rational capacities

Question 38

According to Arnold and Bowie, using coercion to compel employees to work overtime is wrong because

A) It causes unnecessary suffering
B) It causes inequality
C) It is tantamount to treating employees as mere tools
D) It is tantamount to stealing from them
E) All of the above

Question 39

Confucius refers to the refined, trustworthy person as a person of:

A) Jen
B) Gen
C) Ten
D) Ken
E) Len

Question 40

According to Confucianism, the virtuous person should:

A) Take pity on those who are less refined, not hate them
B) Denounce evil people in order to reform the depraved
C) Help others realize what is good in them
D) Both (a) and (c)
E) Both (b) and (c)

Question 41

According to Koehn, which of these is NOT a good Confucian response when your trust is betrayed?

A) Consider whether you demanded too much of the one who betrayed you.
B) Don't let their actions distract you from trying to become a better person.
C) Tolerate abuse and repay it with a good turn.
D) Be mindful of whether you have misjudged the person.
E) Examine yourself to see if you are trustworthy before judging another.

Question 42

What is the Confucian opinion of contracts?

A) They are morally wrong.
B) They are morally binding.
C) They are useless and unnecessary.
D) It is better to rely on a relationship of trust.
E) It is better to do business on an informal basis.

Question 43

How is the Confucian notion of trust different from the usual Western one?

A) Confucians focus more on becoming trustworthy, not on trusting others.
B) Confucians believe that trust is earned, while Westerners do not.
C) Confucians believe that betrayal is not important.
D) Confucians do not expect others to be perfect.
E) Confucians believe that trust can be regained after betrayal.

Question 44

Berlin thinks it a rare thing for civilizations' values to clash.

Question 45

Almost all cultures arose from integrating older ones.

Question 46

Appiah thinks that cultural purity should be protected.

Question 47

Viewers from different cultures found different messages in American soap operas.

Question 48

Donaldson believes that we should resolve ethical dilemmas by following the rules of the country we are in.

Question 49

Ethical absolutism would set one standard for behavior, regardless of global context.

Question 50

Donaldson suggests allowing foreign business partners to assist in writing ethical codes and standards for doing business.

Question 51

In order to be complicit, a company must have a positive duty.

Question 52

A negative duty means a duty to do something even though it has negative consequences.

Question 53

Wettstein believes that Ken Saro-Wiwa was guilty of murder.

Question 54

There is a double, even contradictory, message regarding bribery in religion, as Noonan sees it.

Question 55

Bribe-takers and bribe-givers are usually criminal in other respects as well.

Question 56

Before 1000 A.D., it was normal to give an offering to a ruler who was also a judge.

Question 57

The FCPA is an act intended to forestall certain payments from government officials to corporations.

Question 58

The FCPA requires corporations to keep accurate financial records.

Question 59

According to Arnold and Bowie, one of the most common workplace hazards in sweatshops is fire.

Question 60

According to Arnold and Bowie, workers in sweatshops must be paid enough money in a 35-hour work week to pay for basic food and non-food necessities.

Question 61

Confucians believe that trust can be gained or lost.

Question 62

Confucians believe that one should be willing to learn from anyone, even a madman.

Question 63

A Confucian should repay an injury with a good turn.

Question 64

A Confucian would prefer to sign a detailed contract as a basis for trust between parties.

Question 65

Students at a vocational college were required to complete an "internship" at Foxconn, during which they made cables for the iPhone.

Question 66

Appiah compares finding _____________ culture to peeling an onion.

Question 67

Appiah points out that we all live _______________ lives, influenced by many cultures.

Question 68

The export of Western goods and media to developing nations is sometimes seen as cultural _________________.

Question 69

The theory of __________ appears inadequate once we consider issues greater than "petty bribery" or "insider trading," according to Donaldson.

Question 70

One guideline for ethical leadership, according to Donaldson, is to treat corporate values and formal standards of conduct as __________.

Question 71

Donaldson seeks ________ values that are the same throughout different cultures.

Question 72

Isaiah Berlin believes that civilizations are ___________.

Question 73

According to Wettstein, a company must meet the omission and the ______________ requirements to be guilty of silent complicity.

Question 74

Direct, indirect, beneficial, and silent are the main forms of ______________.

Question 75

Ken Saro-Wiwa protested against the activities of ___________ in Nigeria.

Question 76

The Global Compact is a set of principles for businesses created by ___________.

Question 77

The __________, according to Noonan, originated in religion.

Question 78

Both multinational businesses and __________ businesses have used bribes.

Question 79

Noonan points out that "enforcement of law against bribes has nearly always been a function of __________ discretion."

Question 80

The __________ made it more difficult for American companies to provide payments to foreign governments.