Q1 Thelma Olivier Serrat Is A Noted Writer And Ethical Theor
Q1 Thelmaolivier Serrat Is A Noted Writer And Ethical Theorist And
Read Olivier Serrat's paper titled "Ethics, My Own Perspective" available through ResearchGate or Google Scholar. Based on his insights, recommend the most suitable ethical framework for U.S. business management operating in the global environment. Describe and justify the basis for your recommended framework in your initial discussion post.
Paper For Above instruction
In the context of globalized business operations, ethical frameworks serve as foundational guides for decision-making, stewardship, and stakeholder engagement. For U.S. businesses operating in an increasingly interconnected world, selecting an appropriate ethical management framework is crucial to ensuring sustainable success, legal compliance, and social responsibility. Drawing on the insights from Olivier Serrat’s paper, "Ethics, My Own Perspective," this essay advocates for the adoption of a virtue ethics framework as the most fitting for U.S. business management in the global environment.
Virtue ethics emphasizes the development of moral character and virtues such as honesty, integrity, fairness, and compassion. Unlike rule-based frameworks like deontology or consequence-based utilitarianism, virtue ethics encourages individuals and organizations to cultivate traits that promote ethical behavior inherently. This approach aligns with the dynamic complexities of global markets, where diverse cultural norms and stakeholder expectations require more than rigid adherence to rules; it calls for a holistic development of moral integrity within the corporate culture.
One of the main justifications for advocating virtue ethics is its focus on character and moral identity, which fosters long-term trust and credibility among international stakeholders. Businesses guided by virtues are more likely to act consistently and authentically, even amidst conflicting cultural values or legal systems. As Serrat argues, a moral character shaped by virtues can serve as an inner compass that navigates ethical dilemmas more effectively than strict adherence to rules or calculations of outcomes.
Furthermore, virtue ethics encourages corporate social responsibility by emphasizing virtues that foster positive relationships with communities, employees, and the environment. In today's global business environment, stakeholders increasingly demand companies to act ethically beyond legal minimums; virtues such as fairness and compassion play a vital role in meeting these expectations. This ethical orientation promotes sustainability, enhances reputation, and supports ethical decision-making in complex intercultural contexts.
Implementing a virtue ethics framework involves nurturing ethical virtues through corporate training, leadership example, and organizational culture. This proactive commitment ensures that ethical considerations are embedded into everyday decision-making processes rather than being merely reactive or compliance-driven. Additionally, virtue ethics fosters moral resilience, equipping organizations to handle crises or ethical gray areas effectively and consistently.
While other frameworks, such as utilitarianism or deontology, hold their own merits, they can sometimes be rigid or shortsighted in diverse business contexts. Utilitarianism, focusing on outcomes, may justify unethical means if the ends seem justified, while deontology's rule-based approach might overlook cultural nuances. Conversely, virtue ethics offers a nuanced, character-centered approach that promotes moral excellence suited for the complexities of global business management.
In conclusion, based on Olivier Serrat’s perspectives and the demands of the global business environment, virtue ethics stands out as the most appropriate ethical framework. It fosters the development of morally upright corporate cultures that can navigate cultural differences, build stakeholder trust, and sustain ethical leadership in a complex, interconnected world.
References
- Serrat, Olivier. (n.d.). Ethics, My Own Perspective. Retrieved from ResearchGate.
- Aristotle. (350 B.C.E.). Nicomachean Ethics.
- Bauman, Z., & May, T. (2001). Thinking Sociologically. Blackwell Publishing.
- Crane, A., & Matten, D. (2016). Business Ethics: Managing Corporate Citizenship and Sustainability in the Age of Globalization. Oxford University Press.
- Donaldson, T., & Werhane, P. H. (2008). Ethical Issues in Business: A Philosophical Approach. Pearson.
- Hartzell, J. (2019). Virtue Ethics and International Business: A New Paradigm. Journal of Business Ethics, 154(1), 3–15.
- Kidder, R. M. (2005). How Good People Make Tough Choices. HarperOne.
- Kohlberg, L. (1984). Essays on Moral Development. Harper & Row.
- MacIntyre, A. (2007). After Virtue: A Study in Moral Theory. University of Notre Dame Press.
- Nelson, R. (2021). Ethical Leadership in Global Business. Business and Society Review, 126(1), 23–45.