Question

Do corporations have a right and/or a responsibility to influence ethics in the countries in which they operate? Defend your position

Answer 1

Corporations have to comply with the laws, regulations and business ethics prevalent in a country. While doing so, a corporation needs to bring in best practices that are desired, but not enforceable by the laws in that country. It influences the ethics n that country. So, it is the responsibility of the corporation to influence and improve the ethical environment in the country and help the country to improve. Here, the action taken up by the corporation is only to improve the ethical practices as part of influence, rather making it in their own favor. For example, a country allows child labor or allows company give poor working conditions, then it is the corporation that can prohibit child labor, provide safe working conditions and contribute in community development projects so that the society can improve. By this way, the corporation influences the ethics by improving it, rather bending it in their own interests.
It is an important aspect of the corporations when they operate in overseas business environment. They work to improve the local conditions, participate to resolve the local issues and helps in educating & developing communities. It increases the local acceptability of the products and services offered by the corporations among the local people.