My Reading on ASQ CQA HB Part I-IA~IE-s

Part IE1
Social and Cultural Considerations
In the international auditing arena, an auditor must be familiar with local customs so that potentially unethical
situations can be interpreted correctly and responded to appropriately.
For example, in the United States it is considered a breach of ethics for an auditor to accept a gift or favor from
a person in the audited organization. The custom in Japan is that gifts are given to visitors from foreign
countries as a sign of friendship or as a memento of their visit to the factory. However, accepting gifts is not
permitted for auditors.
Government auditors in Japan are strictly prohibited from accepting any gift or meal. Some companies allow
acceptance of gifts to avoid offending the auditee but require the person to turn in the gift (for possible donation
to a charity).
As quality auditing becomes increasingly global, organizations and individuals must be aware of such
differences to prevent serious cultural misunderstandings from undermining the audit process. The need to be
familiar with different cultures and norms is not limited to international auditing. Auditors should also be aware
of cultural differences and expectations in each individual workplace where the audit is being conducted. The
auditor’s awareness and willingness to work with different cultures will help avoid misunderstandings and
ensure the effectiveness of the audit.
Charlie Chong/ Fion Zhang