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Cross-cultural Comparisons of Managerial Perceptions on Profit

  • Corporate Governance
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Abstract

The study investigated the effects of three cultural variables – country of employment, race/ethnicity and religion – on managerial views of profit and 15 other business priorities. In total, 203 responses were obtained (120 randomly and 83 by quota) from executives and managers belonging to either of two race/ethnic groups (Caucasian and Chinese) and three religious denominations (Christian, Buddhist and Malay Muslim) located in three different countries (Australia, Singapore and Malaysia). Findings indicated that these three different cultural variables affected (to varying degrees) the attitudes of managers towards profit and other related business concerns. Managers working in Malaysia, the Malay Muslims and Caucasians in particular, had the highest regard for profit whilst those employed in Australia were found, on the whole, to be the most (socially) considerate toward their employees, customers and environment. This study pointed to the need for cultural ethics as a complementary function in business.

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Acknowledgements

Academic support and encouragement given by Professors Anona Armstrong and Ronald Francis have been important not only for this paper but also during their supervision of my PhD.

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  1. 67 Fisher Parade, Ascot Vale, VIC, 3032, Australia

    Aster Yong PhD

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  1. Aster Yong PhD
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Correspondence to Aster Yong PhD.

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After majoring in Psychology and Sociology in the Bachelor of Arts (Multidisciplinary) Program at Victoria University, I went on to do my Master of Arts in Applied Social Research at Monash University. With these given areas of specializations and with the support of a scholarship from Victoria University, I was able to complete my doctoral studies in business ethics and foreign labour employment in 2006.

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Yong, A. Cross-cultural Comparisons of Managerial Perceptions on Profit. J Bus Ethics 82, 775–791 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-007-9592-0

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