The globalization of commerce has made the topic of non-Western moral values more than a matter of curiosity. Increasingly, U.S. companies have created global footprints. They in some cases manage operations on several continents reflecting a variety of national, ethnic, and religious cultures that are quite different from their American counterparts.

This lesson will focus on the moral values common to several major religions. These belief systems are very often the basis of the ethnic and national cultures in which they are common. We will see that HRER policies and practices that are common to the U.S. cultural environment are often at odds with non-U.S. settings. The difficulties can exist in even what a U.S. manager might consider an otherwise simple matter: avoiding, if at all possible, the appearance of impropriety by hiring blood relatives over more qualified applicants.

 

Lesson Objectives

After successfully completing this lesson, you should be able to do the following:

• Compare and contrast non-Western and Western approaches to making ethical decisions.
• Explain how exposure to non-Western ethical perspectives does not necessarily commit one to moral absolutism or moral relativism.
• Apply non-Western ethical values to a common HRER-related problem.

 

Readings and Activities

Check the Course Schedule for specific details on what to read this week.