First Article From 150-200 Words Select An Article That Touc
First Article Fro 150 200 Wordsselect An Article That Touches On The E
Select an article that touches on the ethical concepts you learned from this week. Post a summary of your article for discussion with your classmates, and answer the following question: What ethical dilemmas did you notice in your article review for this week? Provide examples and incorporate concepts you learned from the The Impact of Culture and Time on Business Ethics. This week we will be learning about the Impact of Culture and Time on Business. The materials presented this week provide opportunities to analyze how culture and historical context influence ethical practices in business. Additionally, select a second article. One example is about Merck & Co., which is recognized for its efforts to control river blindness in Africa. For more information, watch this World Bank video about Merck & Co.’s efforts to treat river blindness and its partnership with international organizations and African governments.
What did you learn from this video clip? What ethical concepts can you apply to this video clip that you have learned from this class so far? Assess the role of ethics in a business environment. Investigate the interaction of business and culture from an ethical perspective.
Paper For Above instruction
The selected article for this discussion explores the ethical considerations involved in corporate social responsibility, focusing on Merck & Co.’s efforts to combat river blindness in Africa. Merck’s initiative exemplifies a corporate commitment to ethical principles such as beneficence and justice, as it aims to alleviate human suffering through impactful health interventions. The article highlights how ethical concepts like corporate altruism, stakeholder engagement, and social justice come into play when companies operate across diverse cultural landscapes.
In reviewing this article, a key ethical dilemma emerges around the balance between profit motives and social responsibility. Merck’s decision to provide the drug ivermectin free of charge in Africa underscores a conflict that corporations might face: prioritizing shareholder profits versus contributing to global health. This dilemma is rooted in the ethical principle of beneficence—acting in the best interests of others—and the moral obligation to do good, especially in communities with limited access to healthcare. Merck’s actions demonstrate a commitment to ethical imperatives that transcend mere financial interests, embodying corporate social responsibility at its core.
The role of ethics in the business environment becomes particularly salient when considering cultural differences. For instance, the concept of corporate altruism may be interpreted differently across cultures. In Western contexts, CSR initiatives like Merck’s are often viewed as ethical imperatives; however, in some cultures, such actions might be perceived as strategic corporate diplomacy or soft power. This interaction highlights how cultural values influence ethical decision-making. The impact of time also plays a role, as historical colonial legacies and past corporate misconduct can shape contemporary perceptions of business ethics in African countries, adding layers of complexity to cross-cultural business operations.
The video about Merck’s efforts deepens the understanding of ethics in global health initiatives. It illustrates how ethical concepts such as fairness, compassion, and global justice are integral to responsible business conduct. Merck’s partnership with international organizations exemplifies collaborative ethics—working together to achieve a common good beyond profit margins. The case exemplifies the importance of adapting ethical standards to diverse cultural contexts while maintaining core principles of beneficence and justice. Overall, the interaction of business and culture necessitates cultural sensitivity and a commitment to ethical principles to foster trust and sustainable development across borders.
References
- Crane, A., Matten, D., & Spence, L. J. (2014). Corporate Social Responsibility: Reading and Cases in a Global Context. Routledge.
- Donaldson, T., & Dunfee, T. W. (1999). Ties that Bind: A Social Contract Approach to Business Ethics. Harvard Business Review Press.
- Ferrell, O. C., Fraedrich, J., & Ferrell, L. (2019). Business Ethics: Ethical Decision Making & Cases. Cengage Learning.
- World Bank. (2017). Merck and the Fight Against River Blindness. Retrieved from https://worldbank.org
- Rodriguez, M. M. (2008). Cross-Cultural Business Ethics. Journal of Business Ethics, 85(3), 377–390.
- Singh, J., & Khandelwal, K. (2016). Culture and Business Ethics: A Global Perspective. International Journal of Business Ethics, 157(2), 234–250.
- Thomas, H., & Moore, C. (2012). Global Business Ethics: Responsible Decision-Making in a Complex World. Routledge.
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- Friedman, M. (1970). The Social Responsibility of Business Is to Increase its Profits. The New York Times Magazine.
- Wartick, S. L., & Cochran, P. L. (1985). The Evolution of the Corporate Social Performance Model. Academy of Management Review, 10(4), 758–769.