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Problem

What is cultural/ethical relativism? What are the drawbacks to this approach and how can a manager adapt to local cultures while maintaining ethical standards?

Step-by-step solution

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Step 1/3

Integrity, empathy, and devotion are among the other moral values that are encouraged by ethical norms. Additionally, moral norms cover rights like the ability to keep information confidential, the liberty to be safe from harm, as well as the ability to live.

Step 2/3

The idea which is based on cultural standards is known as ethical relativism. In other words, when a behaviour is acceptable or unacceptable, it is determined by the moral standards of the culture in which it occurs. This same behaviour could be morally acceptable in one community but unethical in another.

 

The following are some drawbacks of cultural relativism:

It develops a system that is driven by individual prejudice. Due to the way humans function, every culture has some inherent biases.

It'd be a total mess. Underneath the principle of ethnic relativism, individuals would be free to live any way they chose as long as they were able to uphold their personal moral standards, since there is no such thing as "bad" or "good."

It might encourage an absence of diversity. Cultural relativism could enable the reintroduction of slavery in the southern U.S. Men would be able to bar women from voting once more. Employers wouldn't longer be able to offer employees a decent salary or even any wage at all.

It isolates people from each other and hinders moral development along with the advancement of humanity.

 

Managers can adapt to local cultures while maintaining ethical standards by encouraging ethics within the business through seminars, conferences, and other similar programs. Training seminars serve to reaffirm the organization's code of conduct, define acceptable and unacceptable behaviors, and discuss potential ethical conundrums.

Step 3/3

As discussed above, it can be said that the idea which is based on cultural standards is known as ethical relativism. It might encourage an absence of diversity, it isolates people from each other. These are some drawbacks to this approach.