Cultural Ethical Variances With Gifting

Cultural Ethical Variances

The author of this report has been asked to complete a short essay about the differing ethical dimensions that are present in different situations. One can compare and contrast among many different group types and locations. Indeed, the ethics of doing business and giving gifts can vary greatly from country to country, from region to region, from state to state, from city to city or even from business to business in the same general vicinity. The reasons for these variances typically vary based on things like religion, ethnicity, race, age and family status. This report shall explore the differences that exist all within the United States because even the differences in a single country can vary quite a bit. While there are some standards and practices in business that are pretty consistent, not everyone is singing from the same proverbial hymnal when it comes to what is ethical and what is not.

Summary

When it comes to giving gifts, there is a dual-layer concern that arises. The first is the concept of whether the gift will improperly and/or unduly influence the person that is receiving the gift. However, the other layer is the perception (and the perception alone) of whether or not such a result will happen. Even if a person giving a gift is not the least bit inclined to offer a quid pro quo, the appearances and presumptions that will be potentially portrayed to others can set the wrong overall tone. For this reason, businesses will craft policies that directly address bribery but also mention that gifts over a certain amount are not allowed, if they are allowed in the first place. Public sector positions in particular are very susceptible to people being suspicions about any trips or gifts bestowed (Gilman, 2005).

However, something else that should be kept in mind is that this culture of not permitting gifts is not absolute, nor should it be. For example, many businesses are family-oriented and family-run operations. A father that manages a firm is going to give a gift to his son and this would hold true even if the son works for the family business. This is not to say that family dynamics and favoritism cannot become an issue. However, the point is that the rules with family-ran businesses are obviously much different than in publicly owned businesses in general or in private businesses that are simply comprised of non-related business partners and employees. Another major reason for variance even with different United State business operations would be religion. Many Muslims in the United States, just to use one example, obviously have to comply with at least some of the norms and laws that exist in this country but they still try to practice their business under what is known as sharia law. It would be very much akin to a Christian-owned business that openly touts that they operate based on being honest and trustworthy because that would be expected from someone that claims to be a "good Christian." Regardless of the religion, the norms and standards of the religion would often (but not always) be given precedence over what society or regulatory bodies might want to require or assert to be the correct standard. Even so, there are situations where it just sends the wrong message regardless of the intent. A politician in most any scenario would be a good example (NCSL, 2013).