Ethical Dilemma of Becton Dickinson

Corruption is rampant in international trade. Companies with global operations are confronted with many ethical issues that do not arise in domestic business. The distinctive ethical problems of international business are due to many factors, including: different ethical traditions and political and legal systems: diverse forms of economic organization and different level of economic development; inadequate or ineffectual regulation, especially in less-developed countries; conflicts between national and regional economic and political interests; a lack of background institutions and guidelines for international business; the scope and power of multinational corporations and their ability to evade regulation; and pervasive corruption in some parts of the world.

Globalization of world economy, the rapid flow of money across international borders, the flight of capital to offshore havens and the weakness and instability of many nations contribute to the increase in corruption around the world. Dealing with these factors will rema

The beliefs and values the corporations uphold will have to be consistent with those of the society in which the corporations operate. Otherwise, there will be contradictions and conflicts at various levels. When such contradictions and conflicts arise, it will not be possible for the corporation to maintain its beliefs or values. Trying to integrate social, economic and trade policy and ethical values is not easy.

Bribes, or any other form of service payments or favors, are rightly and almost universally considered an unacceptable practice in the securing of contracts. However, small unofficial payments for services rendered are a common practice in many societies. Such payments supplement the incomes of poorly paid administrators and may be a culturally accepted part of doing business. A distinction can be made between small payments (or tips) to facilitate the smooth running of a project, and bribery in the award of contracts. Therefore, where the practice is culturally acceptable and entrenched in business life, small payments will be made to ensure the successful completion of a contract, but bribe payments would never be made. Definition of small - 10% of average daily wage of administrator helping to process your documentation quickly; 5% of value of product.

Ambiguity can play a big part in the circumstances, details, stakeholders, and morals in which decisions are made. Organizations usually have a universal standard of values such as a mission statement or a vision/ value statement that is accepted above or beyond the scope of a company’s policies and procedures this serves as a guideline for ethical principals.

Consequently, a blended approach may be an alternative for American companies doing business abroad. Developing broad ethical principles and putting guidelines into place to act in a socially responsible manner overseas are consistent with the tenets of universalism. At the same time, however, companies can fine-tune the implementation of those principles and guidelines given local circumstances and constraints, with the premise being that any specific implementation effort should support the firm's broad principles to the fullest extent possible.

· Develop guidelines for personal decision making and formulating and implementing ethical corporate policies under the conditions of international business.

From such findings, it can be said that cultural relativism, universalism, and contextualized hypernorms are complementary rather than competing concepts in explaining the behaviour of the respondents.

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