Question

Spiffy Sandals (Scenario) Spiffy Sandals is a Canadian footwear firm. Spiffy is planning to enter into a contract with an international producer to lower costs of production. On paper the figures look very good. However, Spiffy management has learned that the producer's factories are sweatshop conditions. Benito is the key Spiffy executive involved in the contract. He adheres to the relativist view regarding ethical standards and in meetings often says "When in Rome, do as the Romans do." Which of the following do you think Benito agrees with most strongly?
a. Freedom should not partner with foreign business entities.
b. Freedom should passively accept the practices that prevail in countries where it does business.
c. Freedom should not hire foreign managers.
d. Freedom should institute a single global code of conduct for all its employees and suppliers.

Answer 1

Answer:

Option B. Freedom should passively accept the practices that prevail in countries where it does business.

Explanation:

The Spiffy Executive knows that the a norm or ritual or common practice can be ethical in one country whereas not acceptable in the other one. So when he says that "when in Rome, do as the Romans do", so he literally means that we are going to accept the cultural diffences and get maximum out of it. This means he is not concerned about the sweatshop conditions as it is acceptable in that country.