can anybody help me to answer these questions ( Archived) (20)

The situation:

Assume that you’re an- up-and-coming managers in a regional U.S. distribution company. Firms in your industry are just beginning to enter foreign markets, and you`ve been assigned to head up your company`s new operations in a Latin American country. Because at least two of your competitors are also trying to enter this same market, your boss wants you to move as quickly as possible. You also sense that your success in this assignment will likely determine your future with the company.
You have just completed meetings with local government officials, and you’re pessimistic about your ability to get things moving quickly. You`ve learned, for example, that it will take months to get a building permit for a needed facility. Moreover, once the building`s up, it will take another six months to get utilities. Finally, the phone company says that it may take up two years to install the phone-lines that you need for high-speed internet access.

The Dilemma:
Various officials have indicated that time frames could be considerably shortened if you were willing to pay special “expediting” fees. You realize, of course, that these “fees” are bribes and you’re well aware that the practice of paying such “fess” is both unethical and illegal in the United States. In this foreign country, however, it`s not illegal and not even considered unethical. Moreover, if you don`t pay and one of your competitors dose, you`ll be at major competitive disadvantage. In any case, your boss isn`t likely to understand the long lead times necessary to get the operation running. Fortunately, you have access to a source of funds that you could spend without the knowledge of any one in the home office.

Questions:
1-what are the key ethical issues in this situation?
2-what do you think most managers would do in this situation?
3-what would you do?

Sounds very much like a question I give to my classes on International Business Ethics!

If this is a real situation you are in, e-mail me and I'll discuss it with you.

I can't give you a good answer without rereading this a few times. Get back to you later on it.

You said those "bribes" weren't illegal or unethical in the country you'd do business with.
If you have the funds to move things along, why not do it? There a quite a few practices adopted in the U.S that are considered illegal in other countries, do you see the foreign investors thinking twice about them?
Just know your boundaries and as far as you can push the international envelope.
Talk to a business lawyer and make sure things are legit in the country you'll do business with.
Oh, and one more thing. CYOA, you know that.

Ethical is not necessarily moral so maybe GP has a point. Myself, I care about morals too so I am still thinking.

thank you to all of you but I did not get the answer

I couldnt have said it better myself

I emailed you