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Convergence in International Business Ethics? A Comparative Study of Ethical Philosophies, Thinking Style, and Ethical Decision-Making Between US and Korean Managers

Author

Listed:
  • Yongsun Paik

    (Loyola Marymount University)

  • Jong Min Lee

    (University of Reading)

  • Yong Suhk Pak

    (Yonsei University)

Abstract

This study investigates the relationship among ethical philosophy, thinking style, and managerial ethical decision-making. Based on the premise that business ethics is a function of culture and time, we attempt to explore two important questions as to whether the national differences in managerial ethical philosophies remain over time and whether the relationship between thinking style and ethical decision-making is consistent across different national contexts. We conducted a survey on Korean managers’ ethical decision-making and thinking style and made a cross-cultural, cross-temporal comparison with the results presented by previous studies that surveyed Korean and US managers with the same questionnaire at different points in time. Our analysis revealed that Korean managers have become more reliant on rule utilitarianism for ethical decision-making over the last two decades, which is dominantly used by US managers, corroborating our convergence hypothesis built on social contracts theory. However, as opposed to previous research, we found that managers with a balanced linear and nonlinear thinking style do not necessarily make more ethical decisions compared to those with a predominantly linear or nonlinear thinking style. This study contributes to international business ethics literature by presenting a theoretical framework that may explain the convergence of ethical philosophies employed by managers in different national contexts over time, and that the relationship between thinking style and managerial ethical decision-making may not be universal, but contingent on contextual factors.

Suggested Citation

  • Yongsun Paik & Jong Min Lee & Yong Suhk Pak, 2019. "Convergence in International Business Ethics? A Comparative Study of Ethical Philosophies, Thinking Style, and Ethical Decision-Making Between US and Korean Managers," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 156(3), pages 839-855, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jbuset:v:156:y:2019:i:3:d:10.1007_s10551-017-3629-9
    DOI: 10.1007/s10551-017-3629-9
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    2. Lim, Weng Marc & O'Connor, Peter & Nair, Sumesh & Soleimani, Samaneh & Rasul, Tareq, 2023. "A foundational theory of ethical decision-making: The case of marketing professionals," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 158(C).
    3. Irene Chu & Mai Chi Vu, 2022. "The Nature of the Self, Self-regulation and Moral Action: Implications from the Confucian Relational Self and Buddhist Non-self," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 180(1), pages 245-262, September.
    4. In-Hye Kang & Taehoon Park, 2022. "Cultural Differences in Consumer Responses to Celebrities Acting Immorally: A Comparison of the United States and South Korea," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 180(1), pages 373-389, September.
    5. Lee, Jong Min & Paik, Yongsun & Horak, Sven & Yang, Inju, 2022. "Turning a liability into an asset of foreignness: Managing informal networks in Korea," Business Horizons, Elsevier, vol. 65(3), pages 351-364.
    6. Seyyed Babak Alavi, 2024. "The Making of an Authentic Leader’s Internalized Moral Perspective: The Role of Internalized Ethical Philosophies in the Development of Authentic Leaders’ Moral Identity," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 190(1), pages 77-92, February.
    7. Arindam Das & Dimple Grover, 2022. "Ethical climates in South Asian Organizations: empirical findings from India," SN Business & Economics, Springer, vol. 2(6), pages 1-26, June.
    8. Regis Kamaduuka Zombeire & Samuel Ssekajja Mayanja & Michael Omeke, 2023. "The Mediating Role of Nexus of Generative Influence in Relationship Between Regulative Framework and Ethical Performance in Local Governments," Public Organization Review, Springer, vol. 23(4), pages 1695-1716, December.
    9. Enrico Fontana & Hyemi Shin & Chikako Oka & Jos Gamble, 2022. "Tensions in the strategic integration of corporate sustainability through global standards: Evidence from Japan and South Korea," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(3), pages 875-891, March.
    10. Matej Drašček & Adriana Rejc Buhovac & Dana Mesner Andolšek, 2021. "Moral Pragmatism as a Bridge Between Duty, Utility, and Virtue in Managers’ Ethical Decision-Making," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 172(4), pages 803-819, September.

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