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Ethical Challenges in Latin American Cultures

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Ethical Challenges in Latin American Cultures
A Study of the Impacts of Culture in the Business Environment
Warrington
Thomas Edison State College

International Management 372
Professor: Baker
06/16/2013

Elements Influencing Social Culture

Culture is defined as a system of values and norms shared among a group of people and when taken together represent a system of living. Culture is not static but always evolving and it is important to take various factors into consideration when attempting to conduct business in international countries. Valuing cultural diversity in the workplace can boost morale and productivity. An effective employee who feels discriminated against because of cultural differences might get disconnected and leave the company.
Values are the things that people believe to be right, good and desirable. Values are often reflected in the political and economic system of a country and includes society’s attitude towards things such as individual freedom, democracy, truth, honesty and loyalty among many other things.
Ethics include the standards of moral behavior that are acceptable by a society as right or wrong. It includes basic moral values such as integrity, respect for human life, self-control, honesty, courage, cheating, cruelty and the list continues. Latin Americans are very proud of their culture individuals attempting to do business in this part of the world should be aware of the social conventions. Economic implications of differences in culture
In an earlier chapter of the text, Hill (2011) listed the conditions necessary for economic development, which includes, stable political institutions, a reliable legal system and the protection of property rights (p 64). However, although all these things are necessary for economic development, they are not sufficient since the attitudes, values

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