What is it about?
Research study that compared moral reasoning - measured by the Defining Issues Test (James Rest, et al., 1999) - to six cultural dimensions - measured by Values Survey Module 2013 (Hofstede & Minkov, 2013) in Thailand and the United States. Culture has a profound effect on moral reasoning, and significant differences were found in moral reasoning between the two sampled cultural groups.
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Why is it important?
International trade agreements and trade contracts, and foreign direct investment are affected by the ethical decision-making climates in potential and existing trading partner countries. Understanding the potential influences on ethical perspectives by different cultural variables will help public policy and business decision makers in partner countries develop standards of ethical behavior agreeable to each. Additionally, countries that suffer from problems caused by high levels of corruption can better target potential areas for improvement within their societies.
Perspectives
The global economy is a reality. However, systemic corruption in developing countries makes for an exceptionally uneven "playing field" when it comes to potential trade and receipt of foreign direct investment with Western countries. Public policy makers and business decision makers in trading partner countries need to better understand the underlying causes of systemic corruption and public acquiescence to it.
Professor William J Wilhelm
Indiana State University
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This page is a summary of: Cultural dimensions and moral reasoning: a comparative study, International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy, June 2016, Emerald,
DOI: 10.1108/ijssp-05-2015-0047.
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