...Cross-Cultural Perspectives 1 Week 5 Cross-Cultural Perspectives ETH/316: Ethics and Social Responsibility University of Phoenix Cross-Cultural Perspectives Cross-Cultural Perspectives 2 McDonald’s is the largest fast food chain restaurant in the world. Ray Kroc founded the franchise in 1955 in California. McDonald’s server millions of customers daily. The company pride itself on their tasty hamburgers and delicious french-fries. McDonald’s is also known for its quick service and its drive through. The company went from one restaurant location, to locations in different states, to a global corporation. McDonald’s continue to thrive on providing meals at a low cost to customers. McDonald’s have more than 30,000 restaurant locations in more than 100 countries around the world. McDonald’s makes billions of dollars each year but they still issues in the global sector (McDonald’s, 2011). McDonald’s established their first restaurant in Japan in 1971 (McDonald’s, 2011). This establishment brought about some issues because of the cultural differences. Some of the issues are food preparation, food organization, and food delivery. Even though McDonald’s way of doing business contradicted with the Japanese ethics, and traditions, through compromise, and social responsibility they have managed to minimized there differences. Besides McDonald’s other businesses have expanded globally such as auto companies like Ford Motor Company. However, their approach was different in comparison...
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...Cross-Cultural Perspectives People depend on energy on a daily basis. The fuel from energy is used in daily activities rather personal or business. The more the demand for energy increase the harder it is to locate the supply for it. British Petroleum, also known as BP, is a company that provides energy services to different countries. BP is a global organization that focuses on production, refining, distributing, trading, and exploration of energy. The industry of energy is defined by challenge. It must be determined how to meet the supply of demand. BP has increased their reserves and the need to diversify. BP experienced a horrific accident in April 2010, which was named the Deep-water Horizons. The company was responsible for an oil spill that occurred in the Gulf of Mexico in April 2010. This spill will have a lasting economic, personal, and environmental effect on those involved in it. Many workers, individuals, and businesses were impacted along the coast lines. For workers, those who worked on tugs, barges, oil rigs, or fishing/shrimp boats lost wages and time off work because of the oil spill. Individuals, or residents, that lived along the coast line may experience health issues because of the chemicals and toxic fumes that were released as a result of the oil spill. Property owners may have damage to their land if any of the chemicals was washed up and came in contact with the soil. Businesses around the coast line, especially fishing and tourist,...
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...Cross-Cultural Perspectives: Nike Student UoP Ethics 316 June 18, 2012 Week Five Dr. No Instructor Cross-Cultural Perspectives: Nike Nike Corporation grew from a local United States-based footwear distributor to a global marketing giant of athletic footwear, apparel, and equipment. This paper will provide an analysis of the ethical and social responsibility issues Nike must deal with as a global organization. Additionally, the paper will identify Nike’s ethical perspectives and present the exploration of these perspectives across cultures. Ethical and Social Responsibility Issues Nike began globalization through industrializing in countries, such as Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Cambodia. The contracting by Nike of suppliers within these regions instantly began providing jobs, which at the time was just good enough to these improvised areas. However, by the end of the 90s Nike’s use of offshore manufacturing suppliers brought revelations of the sweatshop working conditions prevalent in these nations. The ethical responsibility issues Nike had as a challenge because of these sweatshop conditions ran the full gamut. For example Vietnam factories were violating the minimum wage and overtime laws, Cambodia was using child labor, and Malaysia even went as far as employing forced labor to ensure manufacturing requirements were met...
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...Cross-Cultural Perspectives ETH 316 BP is a global organization that has a multinational presence in the world. A cultural issue that can impact this organization outside of the United States is gender. In the United States and several other countries that BP works in, gender is not an issue as culturally it is acceptable for men and women to be in business together, but in some countries, especially in the Middle East this is tricky cultural difficulty. This can be a serious issue because women should be able to be equals in a corporation, but at the same time, BP has to be able to not offend someone that they are trying to do business with because they are culturally uncomfortable with women in business. This is a delicate balancing act between ethics, social responsibility and cultural awareness for the company. Legally and ethically a woman should be able to perform all the same tasks as a male counterpart, but it may be in the best interests of the company to respect the cultural differences that can occur in doing business in other countries. There are several ethical perspectives at BP when it comes to dealing with culture and gender. Consequence ethics and principle-based ethics can both be at play in this situation. Consequence ethics in that there can be consequences from both making business partners uncomfortable and in choosing a man over a woman for business dealings because of cultural differences. Principle-based ethics looks at this situation...
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...Cross Cultural Perspectives M Viens ETH/316 November 24, 2014 Aubrey Weekes Cross Cultural Perspectives The Walmart Corporation is a large, major, and successful retailer in the United States. Walmart’s attempt at branching out in countries such as China, Mexico, Brazil, and Germany has failed. Globally Walmart is not performing well; they have had difficulties in these countries. Their global revenues, “grew by a mere 1% in 2013, and its revenue per square feet declined by 4.2%” (Team, 2014). The China market does not add much to Walmart’s profits, but it is important to Walmart in regards to enduring perspective. Mexico is a principle global site, but there are many problems there also. In Germany, Walmart failed basically because they thought they could implement American standards in the stores. Walmart is handling these issues, and solving them would be their main concern (Team, 2014). Walmart Culture Issues Hong Kong, Indonesia, and South Korea are failures for Walmart, mainly due to not adhering to the cultures of these countries, and abiding a code of ethics. A couple of obstacles are food and products were placed on shelves, not in line with the country, and stores were constructed a long distance from the cities making it difficult for people to reach them. Foreign people many of them walk to stores or take public transportation. American people will travel to buy food stocking up for a month or more. Buying in bulk is a major issue...
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...ETH – 316 Shaiq Rahi Cross-Cultural Perspectives July 16, 2014 University of Phoenix Cross-Cultural Perspectives McDonald’s is the largest fast food chain restaurant in the world. Ray Kroc founded the franchise in 1955 in California. The company pride itself on their tasty hamburgers and delicious french-fries. McDonald’s is also known for its quick service and its drive through. The company went from one restaurant location, to locations in different states, to a global corporation. McDonald’s continue to thrive on providing meals at a low-cost to customers. McDonald’s have more than 30,000 restaurant locations in more than 100 countries around the world. McDonald’s makes billions of dollars each year but they still issues in the global sector (McDonald’s, 2011). McDonald’s established their first restaurant in Japan in 1971 (McDonald’s, 2011). This establishment brought about some issues because of the cultural differences. Some of the issues are food preparation, food organization, and food delivery. Even though McDonald’s way of doing business contradicted with the Japanese ethics, and traditions, through compromise, and social responsibility they have managed to minimize their differences. Besides McDonald’s other businesses have expanded globally such as, auto companies like Ford Motor Company. However, their approach was different in comparison to McDonald’s. McDonald’s Cultural Issues in Japan: Food organization The Japanese are...
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...Cross-Cultural Perspectives Michella Amonson ETH/316 January 16, 2014 Mr. Harralson Cross-Cultural Perspectives This paper is an overview and analysis of the ethical perspective and cultural issues that a global organization faces when interacting outside the United States. I will address and identify the cultural and ethical perspective of the global organization named Walmart. I will also analyze ethical and social responsibility issues that WalMart deals with as a result of being a global organization. I will further compare these ethical perspectives with other cultures that do business with Walmart. Walmart’s Ethical Perspective Walmart belief is built on a foundation of integrity , values of honesty, fairness and objectivity. Sam Walton founded Walmart with the strong conviction that a retailer could help people save money and live better. Since, Sam’s passing away, Mike Duke, Chief Executive Officer, President and CEO of Walmart states “culture is how we work together to fulfill that purpose. It's incorporated into every aspect of our business”. He further states “Our beliefs are the foundation of our culture: service to our customers, respect for the individual, and striving for excellence which rest on the foundation of personal integrity and responsibility(p.1).” Strong adherence to these principles has created a unique work culture at Walmart. No matter where you go — to any of our stores and offices in any of our brands around the world —...
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...Cross-Cultural Perspectives ETH 316 MARCH 10, 2015 Cross-Cultural Perspectives It is the nature of business to expand its business and increase sales. What is ethical? In my opinion ethics are defined by what is “right.” Some ethic standards are defined by law, but many must come from within the person or business. One must realize that sometimes what might be considered unethical by law or ethical by law might need to be revisit and thought about if the law or lack of it produces unethical outcomes. In doing business so many times an organization must think globally. This might be done to increase sales and/or profits or to lower labor costs. In either case, problems can occur due to ethical and cultural barriers in global expansion. In this paper, I will attempt to show some of what a global organization and a cultural issue that affects their interactions outside the United States by identifying and comparing some of these cultural differences. One company that faces these cultural issues daily is Levis Strauss and Company. Levi Strauss and Company is a large American company found in 1853 and it well known for its denim line. Currently Levis Strauss and Co. has operations in over 110 countries with over half of its corporate revenues coming from outside the United States. In American history, we have all heard complaints of companies in the garment industry hiring underage employees outside the United States and poor working conditions. Levis Strauss and Company...
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...Cross-Cultural Perspectives ETH/316 Cross-Cultural Perspectives Introduction In today’s business market there are huge corporations that use multinational tactics to make their business thrive. Small business is still in existence, but with all of these big corporations who are able to do things a lot cheaper, it puts a lot of stress on small independent businesses. With different rules, laws and regulations in these different parts of the world, corporations thrive on this to help towards their massive company profits. Some things that are not allowed in the US are allowed in other parts of the world. Sometimes there are ethical perspectives that shine a light on a corporation where a lot of people do not believe in the company’s perspective and how they produce and supply their product or service. Perspectives in the Global Organization In today’s corporate structure in many companies that are in the world today, the bottom line in the company is to be profitable with watching companies cost. If you look at the ABC show “Shark Tank” you see this with the entrepreneurs they have on the show when these people trying to start their business and the first question what is asked of them is what it costs to make their item and what they are selling it for and what the profit margin is. Corporations are worried about what it costs them to do something and what it brings for profit to the company. That is why a lot of companies have gone multinational to lower...
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...Cross Cultural Perspectives ETH /316 l Abstract In this essay I will identify a corporation located in the United States of America that has faced ethical issues operating internationally. I will also include in some detail, the results of my research. I will research a company that all Americans know and love- and over the last few years… this company has become one of the most popular retailers in the world- Wal-Mart. Yes, I know the retailer has been; reported on, complained about, sued, protested, and argued in city and town halls across America for decades. But one cannot question the success of the retail giant, ever since opening its first international store in Mexico City, Mexico some twenty-four years ago, Wal-Mart has taken over the global market (V. Govindarajan, 2002). I will start with identifying the ethical perspectives of Wal-Mart, then I will then show the results of the comparison between the different lands’ culture. I will then describe a viable solution for any issues that may occur culturally with the transition of Wal-Mart going global. Today's economy is far more global as it used to be… In the 1960’s for example, the United States of America did not have any sibilance of a relationship of any kind with nations like The People’s Republic of China, and The Soviet Union. In fact, most of the governments that are now superpowers were either developing counties, or involved in an arms race to be the most dangerous nation in the...
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...Cross-Cultural Perspectives ETH/316 Cross-Cultural Perspectives Microsoft Corporation, ranked number 120 of the largest global corporations by Fortune 500 in 2011 (Fortune Global 500, 2011), is one of the worlds largest corporations. Founded in 1975 by Bill Gates and Paul Allen, the company rapidly developed over the years and reached 89,000 employees, $62 billion in revenues, and offices across the globe by 2011 (Fortune Global 500, 2011). From their initial headquarters in Albuquerque New Mexico, Microsoft steadily increased their offices across the United States to more than 100 countries. The expansion into different countries is a challenge to the Microsoft Corporation as it means meeting new cultures, lifestyles, languages, and people. Research must be conducted followed by a working strategy to integrate these new cultures and ethics into Microsoft’s. Microsoft’s homepage presents a summarized version of their culture. “As a company, and as individuals, we value integrity, honesty, openness, personal excellence, constructive self-criticism, continual self-improvement, and mutual respect” (Microsoft Corporation, 2011). Microsoft also presents their official responsibilities that is part of their ethical obligations. “We hold ourselves accountable to our customers, shareholders, partners, and employees by honoring our commitments, providing results, and striving for the highest quality” (Microsoft Corporation, 2011). When endeavoring into new countries and...
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...Cross-Cultural Perspectives Don Barry Cross-Cultural Perspectives Timberland Overview Originally founded in 1933 as the Abington Shoe Company, in 1952 Nathan Swartz bought into the company located in Abington Massachusetts. Swartz bought out the remaining interest in the company in 1955 and brought his sons into the business. In 1973, the Timberland brand name was introduced and the company officially changed its name to The Timberland Company. Known primarily for the waterproof leather work-boots produced by the injection-molding technology the company developed back in 1960, the company has expanded to produce clothing and shoes for men, women, and children. The company also produces a line of rugged outdoor accessories as well. Timberland started expanding into the international market in 1980 when the line was introduced in Italy (Timberland, 2010). Since then Timberland has experienced periods of rapid growth and periods when the company grew more slowly, depending on the economy and more important, the mild winter weather that lowers the demand for the rugged Timberland shoes and apparel. Today the company operates in more than 90 international countries (Haapaniemi, 1998). History of Going Global In 1979 Timberland was approached by a businessman from Italy and asked them about selling Timberland boots in Italy. Jeffrey Swartz, Timberland’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) thought: "Why would you take boots made in New Hampshire - these were work boots, rugged...
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...Cross-Cultural Perspectives Bobby Baker ETH/316 Ethics and Social Responsibility August 21, 2014 Instructor Lisa M. Sparaco “In an attempt to improve its global image, McDonald’s culture outside United States has been closely linked to the possibility of it bringing changes in dietary trends. Statistics shows that the governments and the health care advocates are feared to voice their concern over the increasing number of health problems that are associated with fast foods. Childhood obesity and the possibility of such issues will likely double in the next decade” (Johansen, 2012). The rapid changes in dietary trends and the rise of health complications have made people call on fast food companies to regulate their food production. In fact, McDonald has responded to the issue by introducing healthier food options, using poised lifestyle messages on their marketing campaigns and raising funds to assist children with life-threatening complications. This paper will examine diet or nutrition as an aspect of culture and how it affects the interactions between McDonald’s and customers outside the U.S. The dietary changes as a result of the introduction of fast foods into new areas of the world and the subsequent health complications has put pressure on McDonalds to adopt several strategies to ensure that people conform, and buy their products in markets outside the United States. In dealing with the dietary changes...
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...Cross Cultural Perspectives ETH 316 Ethics and Social Responsibility March 4, 2013 Cross Cultural Perspectives Timberland Overview Originally founded in 1933 as the Abington Shoe Company, Nathan Swartz purchased and relocated to Abington Massachusetts in 1952. Swartz bought out the remaining interest in the company in 1955 and brought his sons into the business. In 1973, the Timberland brand name was introduced and the company officially changed its name to The Timberland Company. Known primarily for the waterproof leather work-boots produced by the injection-molding technology, the company has expanded to produce clothing and shoes for men, women, and children. The company also produces a line of rugged outdoor accessories as well. Timberland started expanding into the international market in 1980 when the line was introduced in Italy (Timberland, 2010). Since then Timberland has experienced periods of rapid growth and periods when the company grew more slowly, depending on the economy and more important, the mild winter weather that lowers the demand for the rugged Timberland shoes and apparel. Today the company operates in more than 90 international countries (Haapaniemi, 1998). Timberland Going Global In 1979 Timberland was approached by a businessman from Italy and asked them about selling Timberland boots in Italy. Jeffrey Swartz, Timberland’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) thought: "Why would you take boots made in New Hampshire - these were work boots...
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...Cross-Cultural Perspectives Jillian A. Gaudio ETH/316 Professor Clark-Washington Nov. 9th, 2011 Dr. Fritz Hoffmann-La Roche founded the now multinational pharmaceutical company Roche in 1896 in Switzerland. (F. Hoffmann-La Roche, 2014) The Roche Company was founded during the Industrial Revolution in Europe. Its founders recognized that the industrial manufacturing of medicines would be a major advance in the fight against disease, and they were right. In 1898 Roche developed a cough syrup called Sirolin, which was an immediate success. After World War I, Roche developed a line of vitamins and was able to gain a footing in the U.S. market by making its first investments in New York and Nutley. Although their vitamin products were a huge success, the leadership at Roche decided that they should avoid a dependency on vitamins and they intensified their pharmaceutical research. During this time, Roche researchers discovered a compound of benzodiazepine that sedates without causing drowsiness. This discovery propelled them into success and today Roche is a global presence. Roche as a company is very concerned about ethics. They have an established group, the Roche Scientific Ethics Advisory Group (SEAG), which offers advice and counsel on a broad range of ethical matters. The group is comprised of independent, multi-cultural experts from all different fields in the pharmaceutical industry. The SEAG helps Roche follow set global standards involving research and testing. Every...
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