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Challenges in the Era of Globalization - iaabd

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Proceed<strong>in</strong>gs <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> 12th Annual Conference © 2011 IAABD<br />

Abstract<br />

<strong>Challenges</strong> <strong>of</strong> Ethics <strong>in</strong> Nigeria with<strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> Context <strong>of</strong> Global Ethical Practice<br />

Ogundele, O.J.K. and Hassan, A. R.<br />

Department <strong>of</strong> Bus<strong>in</strong>ess Adm<strong>in</strong>istration and Management Technology,<br />

Faculty <strong>of</strong> Management Sciences, Lagos State University, Ojo, Nigeria<br />

This paper is an exploratory study <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> challenges <strong>of</strong> ethics <strong>in</strong> Nigeria with<strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> context <strong>of</strong> Global ethical<br />

practice. Its major objective is to measure <strong>the</strong> extent to which Unethical behavior has decl<strong>in</strong>ed among <strong>the</strong> Nigerian<br />

populace as a result <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> recent efforts <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Civilian Adm<strong>in</strong>istration at fight<strong>in</strong>g corruption <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> country.<br />

Because a significant number <strong>of</strong> Nigerian organizations have <strong>the</strong>ir headquarters <strong>in</strong> Lagos, <strong>the</strong> op<strong>in</strong>ions <strong>of</strong> a<br />

randomly selected 2,623 respondents spread across private and public organizations <strong>in</strong> Lagos State were ga<strong>the</strong>red,<br />

and it was discovered that unethical practices are still prevalent <strong>in</strong> Nigerian organizations. N<strong>in</strong>e (9) hypo<strong>the</strong>ses<br />

were tested us<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> analysis <strong>of</strong> variance(ANOVA) and Pearson Rank Correlation statistical tools. F<strong>in</strong>ally, this<br />

study highlights recommendations geared at promot<strong>in</strong>g ethical behavior <strong>in</strong> Nigeria.<br />

Introduction<br />

Ethics refers to a code <strong>of</strong> conduct that guides an <strong>in</strong>dividual <strong>in</strong> his/her deal<strong>in</strong>gs with o<strong>the</strong>rs. It has to do<br />

with personal behavior and moral duty. It is concerned with what is right and wrong. In work situation, it<br />

is concerned with pr<strong>in</strong>ciples and practices <strong>of</strong> moral and good conducts <strong>in</strong> bus<strong>in</strong>ess life.<br />

The ‘challenges <strong>of</strong> ethics’ are meant to be <strong>the</strong> problems <strong>of</strong> ethical values confront<strong>in</strong>g bus<strong>in</strong>ess operators <strong>in</strong><br />

Nigeria and its relationship with <strong>the</strong> need for <strong>the</strong> development <strong>of</strong> ethical codes <strong>of</strong> conduct for<br />

organizations <strong>in</strong> Nigeria. Both issues are exam<strong>in</strong>ed <strong>in</strong> this paper. Nigerian bus<strong>in</strong>ess as used <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> paper<br />

refers to bus<strong>in</strong>ess organizations situated <strong>in</strong> Nigeria. It could also mean engag<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> bus<strong>in</strong>ess transactions<br />

with <strong>in</strong>dividuals and bus<strong>in</strong>ess organizations located <strong>in</strong> Nigeria. Aga<strong>in</strong>, both aspects are exam<strong>in</strong>ed <strong>in</strong> this<br />

paper. Global context refers to a multidimensional concept, which emphasized <strong>the</strong> <strong>in</strong>terdependence <strong>of</strong><br />

relationship among nations. This is expressed <strong>in</strong> terms <strong>of</strong> <strong>in</strong>tegration <strong>of</strong> economies all over <strong>the</strong> world with<br />

respect to trade, technology, f<strong>in</strong>ancial matters, <strong>in</strong>formation network and cross cultural current and several<br />

o<strong>the</strong>r dimensions. Bus<strong>in</strong>ess practices, here is a focus on <strong>the</strong> modes <strong>of</strong> carry<strong>in</strong>g out bus<strong>in</strong>ess transactions <strong>in</strong><br />

different cultures and countries across <strong>the</strong> globe.<br />

Theoretical Framework<br />

A convenient start<strong>in</strong>g po<strong>in</strong>t is to exam<strong>in</strong>e bus<strong>in</strong>ess ethics <strong>in</strong> action, <strong>in</strong> some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> developed countries <strong>of</strong><br />

<strong>the</strong> world, <strong>the</strong>n <strong>the</strong> Nigerian practice with be focused upon.<br />

Ethics <strong>in</strong> Europe has a protestant orig<strong>in</strong>. Schumpeter (1934) l<strong>in</strong>ked entrepreneurship with protestant ethics<br />

that legitimized <strong>the</strong> rational pursuit <strong>of</strong> economic ga<strong>in</strong>s. The traditional work ethics emphasizes <strong>the</strong><br />

<strong>in</strong>herently good nature <strong>of</strong> work and that by work<strong>in</strong>g hard, one can overcome problems by accumulat<strong>in</strong>g<br />

material wealth. It holds that God’s grace is achieved as one succeeds <strong>in</strong> life (Yoder and Staudohar<br />

1982).<br />

In <strong>the</strong> United States, <strong>the</strong> religious groups similarly <strong>in</strong>troduced ethics <strong>in</strong>to bus<strong>in</strong>ess practices <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> 1930s.<br />

The spread <strong>of</strong> work ethics <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> U.S was aided by a number <strong>of</strong> factors. These <strong>in</strong>cluded <strong>the</strong> country’s vast<br />

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