Expanded ethics: Developing a macroethical perspective for multinational companies in South Africa

  • Willem Fourie Department of Dogmatics and Christian Ethics, Faculty of Theology, University of Pretoria
Keywords: Ethics, macroethics, multinational companies, responsibility, South Africa

Abstract

In this article, it is argued that multinational companies (MNCs) that operate in South Africa should include a macroethical perspective in their ethical reflection. MNCs in South Africa are subjected to significant societal changes. At the same time, they are in a position to exert their influence in a way that affects more people than simply their shareholders, clients and employees. It is argued that a macroethical perspective can assist MNCs in coming to terms with these changes by expanding their understanding of their responsibility towards South African society and future generations. 

References

Barrera, A. (1999). The evolution of social ethics: Using economic history to understand economic ethics. Journal of Religious Ethics, 27, 285â€304.

Beck, U. (1986). Risikogesellschaft: Auf dem Weg in eine andere Moderne. Suhrkamp: Frankfurt a.M.

Beck, U., Giddens, A. and Lash, S. (1994). Reflexive modernization. Politics, tradition and aesthetics in the modern social order. Polity: Cambridge.

Bernasek, A. and Porter, R. C. (1997). Private pressure for social change in South Africa: The impact of the Sullivan Principles. Review of Social Economy LV: 2, 172â€93.

Crane, A., Matten, D. And Spence, L. (2008). The case for and against CSR. In A. Crane, D. Matten, L. Spence (Eds.).

Corporate social responsibility: Readings and cases in a global context, (pp. 21â€25). Routledge: London, New York.

Crane, A., Matten, D. and Spence, L. (2008). Globalization and CSR. In A. Crane, D. Matten, L. Spence (Eds.). Corporate social responsibility: readings and cases in a global context, (pp. 456â€60). Routledge: London, New York.

DeGeorge, R. T. (1987). The status of business ethics: Past and future. Journal of Business Ethics, 6, 201â€11.

Diamond, L. J. (1994). Toward democratic consolidation. Journal of Democracy, 5 (3), 4â€17.

Economist Intelligence Unit. (2011). The Democracy Index 2011: Democracy under stress. [Online]. Available from: https://www.eiu.com/ public/topical_report.aspx?campaignid=DemocracyInde×2011 [Last accessed on 10 December 2012].

Freedom House. (2012). Freedom in the world 2012: The Arab uprisings and their globalrepercussions. [Online]. Available from: http://www. freedomhouse.org/sites/default/files/FIW%202012%20Booklet_0.pdf [Last accessed on 10 December 2012].

Garriga, E. and MeleÌ, D. (2008). Corporate social responsibility theories: Mapping the territory. In A. Crane, D. Mattenand L. Spence (Eds.). Corporate social responsibility: Readings and cases in a global context, (pp. 76â€106). Routledge: London, New York.

Huber, W. (1985). Folgen christlicher Freiheit, 2nd edition. Neukirchener Verlag, Neukirchenâ€Vluyn.

Huber, W. (1990). Konflik und Konsens: Studien zur Ethik der Verantwortung. Chr. Kaiser: Munich.

Institute of Directors in Southern Africa. (1994). King Report on Corporate Governance for South Africa. Johannesburg: Institute of Directors.

Institute of Directors in Southern Africa. (2009). King Report on Corporate Governance in South Africa. Johannesburg, Institute of Directors.

Jäger, A. (1981). Sozialethik als Schwerpunkt theologischer Ethik. In A. Wildermuth and A Jäger (Eds.). Gerechtigkeit. Themen der Sozialethik. JCB Mohr Siebeck: Tübingen.

Jonas, H. (1988). Das Prinzip Verantwortung. Versuch einer Ethik für die technologische Zivilisation (8th edition). Insel Verlag, Frankfurt a. M.

Koenigâ€Archibugi, M. (2004). Transnational corporations and public accountability. Government and Opposition, 39 (2): 234â€59.

Matten, D. and Crane, A. (2003). Corporate citizenship: Towards an extended theoretical conceptualization. ICCSR Research Paper, Series 4.

Misraâ€Dexter, N. and February, J. (2010). Introduction. In N. Misraâ€Dexter and J. February (Eds.). Testing democracy: Which way is South Africa going?, (viiâ€xxiv). Idasa, Johannesburg.

Moon, J., Crane, A. and Matten, D. (2003). Can corporations be citizens? Corporate citizenship as a metaphor for business participation in society. ICCSR Research Paper, Series 13.

NaudeÌ, P. and Fourie, W. (2011). Transparency and corporate social responsibility: A South African perspective. In G. Ulshöfer and B. Feuchte (Eds.). Finanzmarktakteure und Corporate Social Responsibility: Ordnungspolitik – Transparenz – Anlagestrategien, (pp. 193â€204). VS Verlag, Wiesbaden.

Pope Leo XIII. (1891). Rerum Novarum. Papal encyclical on capital and labour.

Rossouw, D. (2004). Developing business ethics as an academic field. BENâ€Africa: Johannesburg.

Schedler, A. (2001). Measuring democratic consolidation. Studies in Comparative International Development, 36 (10), 66â€92.

Seidman, G. W. (2003). Monitoring multinationals: Lessons from the antiâ€apartheid era. Politics and Society, 31 (3), 381â€406.

Smith, B. (2005). Stateâ€building. Politics in the Developing World (pp. 55â€70). Oxford University Press: Oxford.

Solomon, R. C. (1991). Business ethics. In P. Singer (Ed.). A companion to ethics (pp. 354â€365). Blackwell, Malden, MA.

South Africa. (1998). Employment Equity Act, Act 55 of 1998. Government Gazette, Cape Town.

South Africa. (2003). Broadâ€Based Black Economic Empowerment Act, Act 53 of 2003. Government Gazette, Cape Town.

South Africa. (2008). Companies Act 71, Act 71 of 2008. Government Gazette, Cape Town.

Svensson, G. and Wood, G. (2008). A model of business ethics. Journal of Business Ethics, 77 (3), 303â€22.

Taljaard, R. (2005). Building a public service that can deliver change. In N. Misraâ€Dexter and J. February (Eds.). Testing democracy: Which way is South Africa going? (pp. 71â€93). Idasa, Johannesburg.

Vogel, D. (2008). Is there a market for virtue? The business case for corporate social responsibility. In A. Crane, D. Mattenand L. Spence. Corporate social responsibility: Readings and cases in a global context (pp. 181â€209). Routledge: London, New York.

Wendland, H. (1961). Über den gegenwärtigen Stand der Sozialethik. In H. Wendland (Ed.). Sozialethik im Umbrich der Gesellschaft. Vandenhoeck and Ruprecht: Göttingen.

Published
2014-07-17
Section
Articles