S. Prakash Sethi – författare

Economic Imperatives and Ethical Values in Global Business offers an in-depth and systematic analysis of the workings of the Sullivan Principles and their impact on the interactions of foreign corporations with South Africa. Published for the first time in the United States, this book interprets how the experience of the Sullivan Principles might instruct the process of developing codes of ethics as large multinational corporations cope with issues of human rights, living and working conditions of workers, environmental protection, and sustainable growth in their overseas manufacturing operations.

This book undertakes an in-depth study and a systematic analysis of the workings of the Sullivan Principles and their impact on: the operations of the US corporation in South Africa; the process of the dismantling of apartheid and creation of a non-racial, democratic government in South Africa; and the actions of multinational corporations from other countries and large South African corporations in emulating the behaviour of US multinational corporations and thereby enlarging their impact through a multiplier effect. The objective of this text is to learn from the experience of the Sullivan Principles, and interpret how this experience might be translated into developing "rules of the game" and "codes of business ethics" as large multinational corporations continue to confront the issues of human rights, living and working conditions of workers in their overseas manufacturing operations, and where there is constant pressure on the corporations to pay more attention to environmental protection, sustainable growth, and preservation of biodiversity.

This study presents an in-depth analysis of the infant formula controversy and the resulting international boycott of Nestle products launched by various social activist groups and church organizations. The actions of those groups culminated in the passage of the first international marketing code under the auspices of the World Health Organization. Based on extensive research, the book details the Nestle case and uses it to analyze a number of other major issues bearing on contemporary business strategy and operations in the national and international arena. Issues addressed include: the rising phenomenon of social activism and its effect on public opinion and public policy; the changing role of churches and other religious groups and their impact on corporate strategy and behaviour; the emergence of UN affiliated international bodies, as both arbiters and regulators of market conduct of multinational corporations; the changing dynamics between multinational corporations and host countries; the factors which determine a company's behaviour and its ability to adapt to changing societal expectations.The book presents a microcosm of business society conflicts being played out in all parts of the world. This book should be of interest to academics in the areas of management, business ethics, social conflict, and international regulation. It should also appeal to a broad corporate and government audience and to anyone interested in contemporary world affairs and the increasing globalization of socio-economic conflicts.

religious values at the office door. Apartheid was an evil, and business had great power in South Africa. Where there is power, there is also responsibil­ ity. I prayed about this long and hard. I pushed the companies as much as I thought I could. There were advances and there were setbacks, but finally we prevailed and the Blacks of South Africa secured their freedom. My effort in behalf of the Sullivan Principles was only one of a number of significant efforts of the anti-apartheid movement. All of those other efforts must be recognized, as well. The Sullivan Principles and the manner in which they were implemented in South Africa were in the nature of a grand experiment in the sociopolitical change and economic uplifting of the Black people of South Africa. What is even more important is that the Principles were driven by an ethical and moral imperative, and were voluntarily implemented by a group of enlight­ ened United States multinational corporations. No grand design or vision is ever perfect. We fall prey to human follies, limited understanding of the future, and necessary compromises to seek not what is perfect but what is possible. Thus, any such effort is subject to criticism from those who seek ideological purity and those who seek to minimize the impact of change from the status quo . .

Recent trends in globalization have conclusively demonstrated that economic and socio-political problems of the 21st century would need to be confronted in the context of the inter-dependent nature of the world and its inhabitants. The emerging global economic order has once again brought capitalism and its principal actor, the large multinational corporation, to the apex of social institutions. The 23 papers represent a diversity of viewpoints and are indicative of one of the major goals, i.e., to create a meaningful discourse that goes beyond rhetoric. Instead, it emphasizes a search for feasible solutions in the context of real world problems, resource constraints, and human frailties. Previously Published in the Journal of Business Ethics, Volume 87 Supplement 1, 2009

Recent trends in globalization have conclusively demonstrated that economic and socio-political problems of the 21st century would need to be confronted in the context of the inter-dependent nature of the world and its inhabitants. The emerging global economic order has once again brought capitalism and its principal actor, the large multinational corporation, to the apex of social institutions. The 23 papers represent a diversity of viewpoints and are indicative of one of the major goals, i.e., to create a meaningful discourse that goes beyond rhetoric. Instead, it emphasizes a search for feasible solutions in the context of real world problems, resource constraints, and human frailties. Previously Published in the Journal of Business Ethics, Volume 87 Supplement 1, 2009