Cross-Cultural Management

CHAPTER 10

Intercultural Perceptions on Ethics

Contextualizing Background Information

The term “ethics” originated in the word “ethos,” which means “customs.” The word “moral ” or “morality,” which is usually used interchangeably with “ethics,” derives from the Latin word “more,” which could equally be translated as “customs.”

Ethics, as well as morality has therefore been understood as the customary way to do things, probably, as opposed to the “sneaky” or marginal way of doing things. Customs are therefore supposed to be “the right way” to act and react and this definition has undoubtedly helped in developing frameworks for action in all cultures since ancient times.

The mere etymology of the word “ethics” therefore suggests that when dealing ...