Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Out of the Mouths of Babes: Business Ethics and Youths in Asia

  • Published:
Journal of Business Ethics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

A model of corporate ethics and social responsibility (CESR) was developed and empirically tested among Chinese business undergraduates in Hong Kong and Singapore. As predicted, it was found that CESR beliefs were negatively related to Machiavellianism and two Confucian concepts, guanxi (interpersonal connections) and mianzi (face). CESR beliefs were also lower among Hong Kong than Singaporean youths. The negative effects of guanxi, mianzi, and Machiavellianism were more pronounced for the Hong Kong than Singapore sample. Implications of these findings are discussed and directions for future research suggested.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abramson, Neil R. and Janet X. Ai: 1997, ‘Using Guanxi-Style Buyer-Seller Relationships in China: Reducing Uncertainty and Improving Performance Outcomes’, The International Executive 39(6), 765–804.

    Google Scholar 

  • Alston, Jon P.: 1989, ‘Wa, Guanxi, and Inhwa: Managerial Principles in Japan, China, and Korea’, Business Horizons 32(March), 26–31.

    Google Scholar 

  • Armstrong, Robert W.: 1996, ‘The Relationship Between Culture and Perception of Ethical Problems in International Marketing’, Journal of Business Ethics 15(11), 1199–1208.

    Google Scholar 

  • Armstrong, Robert W. and Peter W. H. Lee: 1981, ‘Face-saving in Chinese Culture: A Discussion and Experimental Study of Hong Kong Students’, in Ambrose Y. C. King and Rance P. L. Lee (eds.), Social Life and Development in Hong Kong (Chinese University Press, Hong Kong), pp. 288–305.

    Google Scholar 

  • Armstrong, Robert W., K. C. Wan, Kwok Leung, and R. A. Giacolone: 1985, ‘How Are Responses to Verbal Insult Related to Cultural Collectivism and Power Distance?’, Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology 16(2), 111–127.

    Google Scholar 

  • Asian Development Outlook: 1998, Oxford University Press, Asian Development Bank.

  • Calhoon, Richard P.: 1969, ‘Niccolo Machiavelli and the Twentieth Century Administrato’, Academy of Management Journal 12( June), 205–212.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chan, Anita, Richard Madsen, and Jonathan Unger: 1984), Chen Village (University of California Press, Berkeley, CA).

    Google Scholar 

  • Chinese Culture Connection: 1987, ‘Chinese Value and the Search for Culture-free Dimensions of Culture’, Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology 18(2), 143–164.

    Google Scholar 

  • Christie, Richard and Florence L. Geis: 1970, Studies in Machiavellianism (Academic Press, New York, NY).

    Google Scholar 

  • Chu, Chin-Ning: 1991, The Asian Mind Game (Rawson Associates, New York, NY).

    Google Scholar 

  • Conner, Patrick E. and Boris W. Becker: 1975, ‘Values and the Organization – Suggestions for Research’, Academy of Management Journal 18(3), 550–561.

    Google Scholar 

  • de George, Richard T.: 1997, ‘Ethics, Corruption, and Doing Business in Asia’, Asia Pacific Journal of Economics and Business 1(1), 39–52.

    Google Scholar 

  • Douglas, Susan P. and C. Samuel Craig: 1983, ‘Examining Performance of U.S. Multinationals in Foreign Markets’, Journal of International Business Studies 14(Winter), 51–62.

    Google Scholar 

  • Economic Intelligence Unit: 1998a, Main Report – Hong Kong 2nd Quarter 1998 (Economic Intelligence Unit, London, U.K.).

    Google Scholar 

  • Economic Intelligence Unit: 1998b, Main Report – Singapore 2nd Quarter 1998 (Economic Intelligence Unit, London, U.K.).

    Google Scholar 

  • Eiteman, David K.: 1989, ‘American Business Executives' Perceptions of Negotiating Joint Ventures with the People's Republic of China’, UCLA Working Paper, September, 1–16.

  • Emmons, Charles F.: 1991, Hong Kong Prepares for 1997 (University of Hong Kong Press, Hong Kong).

    Google Scholar 

  • Ferrell, O. C. and Larry G. Gresham: 1985, ‘A Contingency Framework for Understanding Ethical Decision Making in Marketing’, Journal of Marketing 49(3), 87–96.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fischer, Stanley: 1998, ‘The Asian Crisis: A View from the IMF’, Journal of International Financial Management and Accounting 9(2), 167–176.

    Google Scholar 

  • Frederick, William C., Keith Davis, and James E. Post: 1996), Business and Society: Corporate Strategy, Public Policy, and Ethics, 7th edition (McGraw-Hill, New York, NY).

    Google Scholar 

  • Gao, Ge, Stella Ting-Toomey, and William Gundykunst: 1996, ‘Chinese Communication Process’, in Michael H. Bond (ed.), The Psychology of the Chinese People (Oxford University Press, Hong Kong), pp. 280–293.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hendryx, Steven R.: 1986, ‘The China Trade: Making the Deal Work’, Harvard Business Review 46( July–August), 75, 81–84.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ho, John D.: 1995, ‘Law and Order: Transition, Uncertainties, and Vacuums?’, in Joseph Y.S. Cheng and Sonny S. H. Lo (eds.), From Colony to SAR (The Chinese University Press, Hong Kong), pp. 413–429.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hofstede, Geert H.: 1980, Culture's Consequences: International Differences in Work-related Values (Sage, Beverly Hills).

    Google Scholar 

  • Hu, Hsien-chin: 1944, ‘The Chinese Concept of “Face”’, American Anthropologist 46, 45–64.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hunt, Shelby D. and Lawrence B. Chonko: 1984, ‘Marketing and Machiavellianism’, Journal of Marketing 48(Summer), 30–42.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hunt, Shelby D., Pamela L. Kiecker, and Lawrence B. Chonko: 1990, ‘Social Responsibility and Personal Success: A Research Note’, Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science 18(3), 239–244.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hunt, Shelby D. and Scott J. Vitell: 1986, ‘A General Theory of Marketing Ethics’, Journal of Macromarketing 6(Spring), 5–16.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hunt, Shelby D., Von R. Wood, and Lawrence B. Chonko: 1989, ‘Corporate Ethical Values and Organizational Commitment in Marketing’, Journal of Marketing 53(3), 79–91.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hwang, E. R.: 1987, ‘Face and Favor: The Chinese Power Game’, American Journal of Sociology 92(4), 35–41.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jansen, Erik and Mary Ane Von Glinow: 1985, ‘Ethical Ambience and Organizational Reward Systems’, Academy of Management Review 10(4), 814–822.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kao, J.: 1993, ‘The Worldwide Web of Chinese Business’, Harvard Business Review 53(March– April), 24–36.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kau, Ah Keng and Charles Yang: 1991, Values and Lifestyles of Singaporeans: A Marketing Perspective (Singapore University Press, Singapore).

    Google Scholar 

  • Kraft, Kenneth L.: 1991a, ‘The Relative Importance of Social Responsibility in Determining Organizational Effectiveness: Student Responses’, Journal of Business Ethics 10(3), 179–188.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kraft, Kenneth L.: 1991b, ‘The Relative Importance of Social Responsibility in Determining Organizational Effectiveness: Managers from Two Service Industries’, Journal of Business Ethics 10(7), 485–491.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kraft, Kenneth L. and L. R. Jauch: 1992, ‘The Organizational Effectiveness Menu: A Device for Stakeholder Assessment’, MidAmerican Journal of Business 7(1), 18–23.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kuan, Hsin Chi: 1991, Hong Kong After the Basic Law, Hong Kong Institute of Asia-Pacific Studies Reprint Series No. 8 (The Chinese University Press, Hong Kong).

    Google Scholar 

  • Lasserre, Philippe and Jocelyn Probert: 1998, ‘Competing in Asia Pacific: Understanding the Rules of the Game’, Long Range Planning 31(1), 30–50.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lee, Ming Kuan: 1982, ‘Emerging Patterns of Social Conflict in Hong Kong Society’, in Joseph Y. S. Cheng (ed.), Hong Kong in the 1980s (Summerson Eastern Publishers Ltd, Hong Kong), pp. 23–31.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lee, Rance Pui Leung: 1991, Social Stress and Coping Behavior in Hong Kong, Hong Kong Institute of Asia-Pacific Studies Reprint Series No. 5 (The Chinese University Press, Hong Kong), pp. 193–214.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lee, Rance Pui Leung, Tak Sing Cheung, and Yuet Wah Cheung: 1979, ‘Material and Non-material Conditions and Life Satisfaction of Urban Residence in Hong Kong’, in Tzong Biau Lin, Rance P. L. Lee, and Udo-Ernsy Simonis (eds.), Hong Kong: Economic, Social, and Political Studies in Development (Sharpe, New York, NY).

    Google Scholar 

  • Lee, Kam-Hon and Thamis Wing-Chun Lo: 1988, ‘American Businesspeople's Perceptions of Marketing and Negotiating in the People's Republic of China’, International Marketing Review 6(Summer), 41–51.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leung, Kwok: 1987, ‘Some Determination of Reactions to Procedural Models for Conflict Resolution: A Cross-National Study’, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 53, 898–908.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leung, Kwok: 1988, ‘Some Determinants of Conflict Avoidance’, Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology 19, 125–136.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leung, T. K. P., Y. H. Wong, and J. L. M. Tam: 1995, ‘Adaptation and the Relationship Building Process in the People's Republic of China PRC’, Journal of International Consumer Marketing 8(2), 7–27.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leung, T. K. P., Y. H. Wong, and Syson Wong: 1996, ‘A Study of Hong Kong Businessmen's Perceptions of the Role of “Guanxi ” in the People's Republic of China’, Journal of Business Ethics 15(7), 749–758.

    Google Scholar 

  • Li, M. C.: 1992, ‘Cultural Difference and In-Group Favoritism: A Comparison of Chinese and American College Students’, [in Chinese], Bulletin of the Institute of Ethnology, Academia Sinica 73, 153–190.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lim, Peter: 1993, Myths, Fantasies, and Realities of Entrepreneurship (Petemarketing Consultancy, Singapore).

    Google Scholar 

  • Lockett, M.: 1988, ‘Culture and the Problems of Chinese Management’, Organization Studies 9(4), 475–496.

    Google Scholar 

  • Luo, Yadong and Min Chen: 1997, ‘Does Guanxi Influence Firm Performance?’ Asia Pacific Journal of Management 14(1), 1–16.

    Google Scholar 

  • McDonald, Gael and Pak Cho Kan: 1997, ‘Ethical Perceptions of Expatriate and Local Managers in Hong Kong’, Journal of Business Ethics 16(15), 1605–1623.

    Google Scholar 

  • McDonald, Gael and Patrick C. Pak: 1996, ‘It's All Fair in Love, War, and Business: Cognitive Philosophies in Ethical Decision Making’, Journal of Business Ethics 15(9), 973–996.

    Google Scholar 

  • McLeod, B. A. and D. W. Carment: 1987, ‘To Lie or Not to Lie: A Comparison of Canadian and Chinese Attitudes towards Deception’, Unpublished Manuscript, McMaster University.

  • McMurry, Robert N.: 1973, ‘Power and the Ambitious Executive’, Harvard Business Review 33(November–December), 140–145.

    Google Scholar 

  • Montagu-Pollock, Matthew: 1991, ‘All the Right Connections’, Asian Business 27(1), 20–24.

    Google Scholar 

  • Morgan, Robert M. and Shelby D. Hunt: 1994, ‘The Commitment-Trust Theory of Relationship Marketing’, Journal of Marketing 58( July), 20–38.

    Google Scholar 

  • Muncy, James A. and Jacqueline K. Eastman: 1998, ‘Materialism and Consumer Ethics: An Exploratory Study’, Journal of Business Ethics 17(2), 137–145.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nunnally, Jum C.: 1967, Psychometric Theory (McGraw-Hill, New York, NY).

    Google Scholar 

  • Osland, Gregory E.: 1989, ‘Doing Business in China: A Framework for Cross-cultural Understanding’, Marketing Intelligence & Planning 8(4), 4–14.

    Google Scholar 

  • Parsons, Talcott and Edward A. Shils: 1951, Toward A General Theory of Action (Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA).

    Google Scholar 

  • Pye, Lucian W.: 1982, Chinese Commercial Negotiating Style (Oelgeschlager, Gunn and Hain, Cambridge, MA).

    Google Scholar 

  • Pye, Lucian W.: 1986, ‘The China Trade: Making the Deal’, Harvard Business Review 46( July–August), 74, 76–80.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rayburn, J. Michael and L. Gayle Rayburn: 1996, ‘Relationship between Machiavellianism and Type A Personality and Ethical-Orientation’, Journal of Business Ethics 15(11), 1209–1219.

    Google Scholar 

  • Redding, S. Gordon and M. Ng: 1982, ‘The Role of “Face” in the Organizational Perception of Chinese Managers’, Organizational Studies 3, 201–219.

    Google Scholar 

  • Robin, Donald P. and R. Eric Reidenbach: 1987, ‘Social Responsibility, Ethics, and Marketing Strategy: Closing the Gaps Between Concept and Applications’, Journal of Marketing 51(1), 44–58.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schein, Edgar H.: 1985, Organizational Cultures and Leadership (Jossey-Bass Inc., San Francisco).

    Google Scholar 

  • Shively, S.: 1972, Kwun Tong Life Quality Study: Data Book (The Chinese University Press Social Research Center, Hong Kong).

    Google Scholar 

  • Singhapakdi, Anusorn: 1993, ‘Ethical Perceptions of Marketers: The Interaction Effects of Machiavellianism and Organizational Ethical Culture’, Journal of Business Ethics 5(12), 407–418.

    Google Scholar 

  • Singhapakdi, Anusorn and Scott J. Vitell, Jr.: 1990, ‘Marketing Ethics: Factors Influencing Perceptions of Ethical Problems and Alternatives’, Journal of Macromarketing 10(Spring), 4–18.

    Google Scholar 

  • Singhapakdi, Anusorn and Scott J. Vitell, Jr.: 1991, ‘Selected Background Factors Influencing Marketers' Deontological Norms’, Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science 19(1), 37–42.

    Google Scholar 

  • Singhapakdi, Anusorn, Scott J. Vitell, Kumar C. Rallapalli, and Kenneth L. Kraft: 1996, ‘The Perceived Role of Ethics and Social Responsibility: A Scale Development’, Journal of Business Ethics 15(11), 1131–1140.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stajkovic, Alexander D. and Fred Luthans: 1997, ‘Business Ethics Across Cultures: A Social Cognitive Model’, Journal of World Business 32(1), 17–34.

    Google Scholar 

  • Steiner, George A.: 1972, ‘Social Policies for Business’, California Management Review (Winter), 17–24.

  • The Straits Times: 1997a, ‘Self-Interest Comes First for Guangzhou Youths’, March 20, p. 20.

  • The Straits Times: 1997b, ‘More Engineers Needed as Singapore Restructures Its Economy’, February 26, p. 30.

  • The Straits Times: 1998, ‘Currency Crisis: How and When will East Asia Recover?’, January 22, p. 46.

  • Tai, Lawrence S. T.: 1988, ‘Doing Business in People's Republic of China: Some Keys to Success’, Management International Review 28(1), 5–9.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ting-Toomey, Stella: 1988, ‘Intercultural Conflict Styles: A Face-Negotiation Theory’, in Young Yun Kim and William B. Gudykunst (eds.), Theories in Intercultural Communication (Sage, Beverly Hills, CA), pp. 213–235.

    Google Scholar 

  • Trubinsky, Paula, Stella Ting-Tommey, and Sung-Ling Lin: 1991, ‘The Influence of Individualism-Collectivism and Self-Monitoring on Conflict Styles’, International Journal of Intercultural Relations 15, 65–84.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tung, Rosalie L.: 1982, ‘U.S.-China Trade Negotiations: Practices, Procedures, and Outcomes’, Journal of International Business Studies 13(Fall), 25–37.

    Google Scholar 

  • Waters, Dan: 1995, Faces of Hong Kong (Prentice Hall, Hong Kong).

    Google Scholar 

  • Westwood, Robert I. and Barry Z. Posner: 1997, ‘Managerial Values Across Cultures: Australia, Hong Kong, and the United States’, Asia Pacific Journal of Management 14(1), 31–66.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wongtada, Nittaya: 1993, ‘Forces Controlling the Compliance of the Gentlemen's Agreement Among Overseas Chinese Businessmen’, Journal of International Consumer Marketing 5(2), 69–83.

    Google Scholar 

  • The World Competitiveness Yearbook: 1998, IMD, Lausanne, Switzerland.

  • Yang, Mayfair Mei-hui: 1994, Gifts, Favors, and Banquets: The Art of Social Relationships in China (Cornell University Press, Ithaca, Cornell).

    Google Scholar 

  • Yao, E. L.: 1987, ‘Cultivating Guanxi with Chinese Partners’, Business Marketing 72( January), 62–66.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yee, Albert H.: 1992, A People Misruled – The Chinese Stepping-stone Syndrome (Heinemann Asia, Singapore).

  • Yong, Pow Ang: 1992, ‘An On-Going Romance’, Singapore Business (February), 44–50.

  • Yu, An-Bang: 1996, ‘Ultimate Life Concerns, Self, and Chinese Achievement Motivation’, in Michael H. Bond (ed.), The Handbook of Chinese Psychology (Oxford University Press, Hong Kong), pp. 227–246.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yum, J. O.: 1991, ‘The Impact of Confucianism on Interpersonal Relationships and Communication Patterns in East Asia’, in Larry A. Samovar and Richard E. Porter (eds.), Intercultural Communication: A Reader, 6th edition (Wadsworth, Belmont, CA), pp. 66–78.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zabid, A. R. M. and S. K. Alsagoff: 1993, ‘Perceived Ethical Values of Malaysian Managers’, Journal of Business Ethics 12(4), 331–337.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zahra, Shaker A. and Michael S. LaTour: 1987, ‘Corporate Social Responsibility and Organizational Effectiveness: A Multivariate Approach’, Journal of Business Ethics 6(6), 459–467.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Business Administration, National University of Singapore, 10 Kent Ridge Crescent, Singapore, 119260, Republic of Singapore

    Swee Hoon Ang & Siew Meng Leong

Authors
  1. Swee Hoon Ang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Siew Meng Leong
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Ang, S.H., Leong, S.M. Out of the Mouths of Babes: Business Ethics and Youths in Asia. Journal of Business Ethics 28, 129–144 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1006225330894

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1006225330894

Search

Navigation