Question

Is it ethical for a United States based firm to allow sales staff to participate in forms of bribery to facilitate business deals, if the custom of the country allows/expects this practice? using the book below.

"The Ethics of Management" by LaRue T Hosmer

Application of Theory/Hosmer Model: How are the tools of ethical analysis from Hosmer and the course material being employed to develop a specific and compelling moral argument? Is there economic, legal and normative philosophy applications? Are the normative philosophies named and explained? Are the tools from the theory/Hosmer model applied to build a compelling and convincing argument for a specific decision?

implications: What are the implications of your decision on the various stakeholders? What are the short-term and long-term implications of this position?

Influencing Core Values: What are the core values/believes and the source or origin of those values/beliefs that are shaping your position on the issue?

Stakeholders and Perspectives: Who are the various stakeholders impacted by this issue and what are the competing interests and perspectives?

Answer 1

No, it is not ethical for a united state's business to indulge in bribery even if another country’s systems allow for it. It is important for a business to maintain its ethical conduct no matter where it performs its operations. This is a thing businesses should look forward to. They should have an entire department separated from the HR department to keep oversight over the working of the company especially overseas. Even if the other country’s laws allow such a practice to be continued, it affects the integrity of the company as a whole and also impacts its social responsibility. It is especially important for a US based company to not indulge in such activities because of the foreign corrupt practices act in place which takes legal actions against companies that indulge in such behaviour.