Determine which of the four forces of ethical conduct influenced the following unethical behaviour: In an article, in the Business day in 2012, it was reported that multinational companies involved in bribery in Africa will be blacklisted from future projects administered by the World Bank. According to research by institutions such as the Mo Ibrahim Foundation and Transparency International, Nigeria is perceived as one of the most corrupt in the world.

Question

A.
Individual perspective

B.
Societal norms and culture

C.
Laws and regulations



D.
Organisational practices and culture

Answer 1

The unethical behavior described in the scenario—multinational companies involved in bribery in Africa—can be primarily influenced by B. Societal norms and culture.

This option reflects the broader context in which these multinational companies operate. The perception of Nigeria as one of the most corrupt countries indicates that societal norms and cultural attitudes towards corruption and bribery may play a significant role in shaping business practices. If bribery is widely accepted or seen as a necessary method for conducting business in certain regions, this societal perspective can heavily influence companies' decisions to engage in unethical behavior.

While laws and regulations (C) and organisational practices and culture (D) are also relevant, the foundational societal attitudes and norms about corruption strongly contribute to the prevalence of such unethical actions within the business environment.