Question

Multinational companies that forbid the payment of bribes and kickbacks in their codes of ethical conduct and that are serious about enforcing this prohibition

A. Are generally advocates of the ethical relativism school of thought
B. Are misguided in their efforts because bribes and kickbacks are really no different from tipping for service at restaurants—whether you tip for service at dinner or make payments to government officials to get goods through customs or give kickbacks to customers to retain their business, you pay for a service rendered
C. Still have considerable difficulty in preventing the payments of bribes and kickbacks when such payments are entrenched as normal and customary in locations where they do business
D. Are out-of-step with business reality given that the preponderance of company managers are immoral
E. Are in a distinct minority compared to companies that view the payment of bribes and kickbacks as a legitimate or permissible practice

Answer 1

Multinational companies that prohibit bribes and kickbacks may still face difficulties in preventing such payments when they are culturally accepted, but this does not mean they advocate ethical relativism. In fact, they are in the minority compared to companies that view bribes and kickbacks as acceptable. It is crucial for these companies to maintain their commitment to ethical conduct.

Step-by-step explanation:

Multinational companies that forbid the payment of bribes and kickbacks in their codes of ethical conduct and are serious about enforcing this prohibition still have considerable difficulty in preventing the payments of bribes and kickbacks when such payments are entrenched as normal and customary in locations where they do business. The fact that these companies face challenges in preventing such payments does not mean that they are advocates of the ethical relativism school of thought or that they are out-of-step with business reality. In fact, they are in a distinct minority compared to companies that view the payment of bribes and kickbacks as a legitimate or permissible practice. It is important for multinational companies to maintain their commitment to ethical conduct and to work towards eradicating corruption in all its forms.