Problem 1. Identify 1-2 ethical values that can be applied cross-culturally. Why is it challenging to come up with a large list like this? What does that tell us about the challenges inherent in international business?
Problem 2. Imagine that you are the COO of a major corporation in the United States. You have traditionally manufactured your products domestically. The CEO of your company comes to you and asks you for a report on the pros and cons of moving your manufacturing overseas. She asks you to specifically address child labor issues. What would the highlights of your report be?
Problem 3. In a local or national newspaper, find an article about a topic related to business ethics. Read the article. Then answer one of the following questions:
- Explain what the article is about. Describe how the concept of globalization is illustrated in the article. Are there clear winners or losers from this globalization identifiable in the article? If so, who are they? If not, why are they difficult to identify? Why is the concept of winners and losers important in an ethical discussion?
- Explain what the article is about. Identify how the cultural system of the country the article is written about impacts the practice of international business of the company in the article. Should a manager of a business contemplating opening a branch in that country consider the nation's major cultural issues before investing? Why or why not?