Moral activism and value harmonization in an integrating global economy

Abstract

An interdependent global economy increases the practical and scholarly importance of international business ethics. This paper examines the relationship between transnational moral activism and international value harmonization in this context. Moral activism, while often grounded in mixed motives, is some effort to correct a perceived wrong in outcomes and/or the values and/or conduct of others. Economic interdependence increases contact among arguably very different cultures and values. The paper focuses on two specific examples: (1) increasing international cooperation for the suppression of bribery and other forms of corruption in private and governmental conduct; and (2) actual or proposed U.S. economic sanctioning of countries regarded as oppressive or terroristic. The role of the U.S. as a first or sole mover in such issue arenas is examined. The U.S. government and business sectors appear to be coming into increasing disagreement over foreign sanctions, as such sanctions affect business opportunities exploited by other members of the OECD. The practical importance for U.S. firms resolves into three key dimensions: (1) relaxation of U.S. policy controls affecting U.S. business activity abroad; (2) implications for corresponding business activity by foreign firms into the U.S.; and (3) what is typically characterized as global corporate citizenship.

Citation

Windsor, D. (2002), "Moral activism and value harmonization in an integrating global economy", Re-Imaging Business Ethics: Meaningful Solutions for a Global Economy (Research in Ethical Issues in Organizations, Vol. 4), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 85-105. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1529-2096(02)04006-3