We feel we are losing out when it comes to globalisation

Some 120 representatives of the church, politics, the economy and research, all experts in their fields and from as many as 20 different countries, gathered together at the Lassalle House in Edlibach near Menzingen last week to take part in the first ever international conference on company ethics held there. Among the topics discussed were pressing issues of the times as well as how to break down some commonly held misconceptions.

According to Tobias Karcher, the director of the Lasalle Institute, the conference was a great success with open dialogue prevailing as delegates looked to see how people might face up not only to the challenges involved in understanding each other’s cultures but also the business culture of companies operating worldwide. For example, how to achieve the right balance the between entrepreneurial activity and ethical values in a globalised world and all that this meant were discussed.

Karcher pointed out what he felt to be the different styles of company ethics as evident in the Anglo-Saxon world and those more common on Continental Europe. For example, he felt business in the English-speaking world was based more on adherence to legal frameworks, or compliance, as it is known, whereas European business looked beyond this to society as a whole and to a stable and healthy economic environment.

Karcher went on to say he felt that, in the emerging markets of Asia, it was primarily a relationship-oriented economy which was striven for. “In Asia, the all-important thing to do there is to gain the trust of a business partner and build on it,” he said, while noticing that there was evidence of China moving more away from this relationship-oriented style to a more rule-oriented one.

Also taking part in the conference were 12 delegates from Africa who, according to Karcher, greatly appreciated the exchange of ideas. “What I also noticed, however,” he continued, “was a certain level of tension, with many of them seeing their continent as losing out when it came to globalisation.” This not least when it came to the activities of mining and commodity-trading companies operating there, with the press frequently citing cases in African countries where human rights had allegedly not been adhered to, suggesting that corruption was rife, too.

“One does feel a certain level of responsibility,” said Matthias Michel, a member of the Zug cantonal government who heads the Department of Economic Development and who was also present on the occasion, “Unfortunately it is not up to the government to dispense justice or pronounce judgment,” adding that “ethics began where laws ended,” and concluding that seeking dialogue was part of the solution.
 
The photograph shows Obiora Ike, the executive director of Globethics, with Tobias Karcher on his right and Matthias Michel on his left.