Summary 'Does globalisation encourage or discourage the pursuit of good ethics as the foundation of good business?
81 views 0 purchase
Course
G572 - AS Religious Ethics
Institution
OCR
Quite a complicated essay question that may be useful if you want to prepare for the harder questions!
Includes; thesis and 4 further paragraphs with case studies and scholars.
Does globalisation encourage or discourage the pursuit of good ethics as the foundation
of good business?
Thesis/introduction:
Globalisation is the process by which the world is becoming increasingly interconnected as a
result of massively increased trade and exchange leading to the expansion of companies
world-wide
Globalisation discourages good ethics through its prioritisation of profit over ethics resulting
in exploitation of workers.
Despite apparent benefits to those in poverty, the pain endured by workers outweighs any
material happiness of consumers
Paragraph 1: AGREE with thesis
Globalisation has opened up opportunities for businesses to abuse and exploit workers
without consequences
The industrial revolution transformed economies that had been based on agriculture and
handicrafts into economies based on large-scale industry, mechanised manufacturing and
the factory system
It introduced new ways of organising work, making industries more productive and efficient
However, this showed that globalisation ends with low wages, pollution and a dangerous
disregard for safety of people
For example, a building containing clothing factories, a bank, apartments and several shops
called Rana Plaza, collapsed in 2013 killing 1,134 people and injuring 2,500
The building’s owners ignored warnings to avoid using the building after cracks had
appeared the day before – workers were ordered to return the following day
At least 29 global brands were identified in the Rana Plaza building factory – all of which
were prioritising profit over the safety of their workers
Safety standards are ignored to produce cheap goods
Paragraph 2: AGREE with thesis
Being in other, less developed countries may also mean companies can avoid corporate
social responsibility resulting in poor ethics
Multinational corporations are accused of having a lack of concern for the environment as
well as mismanagement of natural resources and ecological damage
Workers are not encouraged to stand up for rights or whistle blow – primarily because they
are desperate for money and therefore cannot afford to lose their jobs
This is not ethically moral – Kant would say we are using these people as a ‘means to ends’
and taking advantage of the fact that they need the jobs in order for the Western cultures
to receive cheaper goods
Bowie suggests we should pursue meaningful work.
This is work that is freely chosen, supports the autonomy and rationality of humans,
provide a salary that is sufficient for independent living and to also ensure physical well-
being
Globalisation does not meet these guidelines
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller laurajevans004. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for $5.78. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
