Ethical Convergence: The Driving Forces of Globalization and a Means of Bridging Cultural Divide for Multinational Corporations in Joint Ventures

Document Type

Thesis

Publication Date

2007

Disciplines

Business | Business Administration, Management, and Operations

Advisor

Sanford Moskowitz, Management

Abstract

In international joint ventures, globalization is leading to ethical convergence in order to overcome more sensitive cultural conflict. This paper will utilize extensive case study analysis to explore the possibility that a "universalist" rather than "relativistic" mechanism is at work as international ethical standards converge toward Western models. The "universalist" mechanism toward a 'Westernized' ethical convergence is a result of unequal-sided negotiation and resolution of ethical differences. Western (U.S. and E.U.) multinationals tend to impose their own ethical standards on non-Western joint venture business partners because Western multinationals wish to maintain good relationships with their generally wealthier and/or more influential Western partners, and therefore, non-western multinationals accede to these standards.

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