Engaging in bribery is one of the common global market practices that elicit ethical dilemmas. Bribery involves giving out favors in exchange for a favorable and biased service. As such, it is encouraged and discouraged in equal measures in the global business market. Whereas governments, organizations, and individuals champion for a corruption-free business environment, business forces such as, competition and varying tolerance to bribes make it an ethical dilemma.
Stiff competition in the global business environment is one of the factors that have contributed to the ethical dilemma of bribes. Most of the companies with international presence, advocate for delivering cheap goods and services. Nonetheless, they also need to win business deals for the companies' sustainability. Engagement in bribery in many countries such as Mexico and African countries guarantees most of the companies the needed business deals. However, the bribery dealings are often kept secret to preserve the reputation of the engaging organizations.
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Different countries in the global market have varying tolerance to bribes. The bribes are acceptable in some countries, yet illegal in others. It, therefore, poses an ethical dilemma to those engaging in it. Some countries, such as Germany, recognize bribes paid to secure business deals. They even factor in the amount paid when calculating tax relives for the organization. On the other hand, it is illegal for American organizations and individuals to pay bribes in exchange for business deals even if they are conducting business in Germany. The USA illegalizes the bribes through its foreign corruption practices act. The provision puts American organizations operating in countries that engage in corruption in an ethical dilemma. Their engagement in bribes amounts to an illegal practice, whereas failure to engage in bribes gives them an inferior position while competing for business deals.
Despite the bribes posing a major ethical dilemma, engagement in bribes creates a negative reputation for the company in addition to being illegal in some countries. Therefore, the proposed solution for dealing with bribes is staying free from them where they are unacceptable. An organization can ensure that it establishes an anti-bribery policy and enforce it. As such, the company will only engage with business partners who are ready to comply with the non-bribery policy. The enforcement of the non-bribery policy in a global business environment minimizes business opportunities. On the contrary, it alleviates bribery and associated ethical dilemma in the company. Companies that originate or operate in regions that bribes are part of the business should, however, embrace it.
In conclusion, bribes are one of the current leading ethical dilemmas. It is a dilemma because it has varying tolerance in the global business market. As such, the stiff competition among companies may tempt the organization to engage in the practice. However, it is prudent for organizations that operate or originate in countries where bribes are unethical or illegal to enforce policies against them. On the other hand, those that have the bribe culture and does not break any law should practice it as part of the business.
