Universal truths : can universally held cultural values inform the modern corporation?
Purpose – There are four criteria that people universally value: health, well-being, longevity, and environmental preservation. When these criteria are violated, a society becomes unsustainable. In order to preserve cultures, these four universal criteria therefore need to be taken into account. But...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Journal Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
2014
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| Online Access: | https://hdl.handle.net/10356/104526 http://hdl.handle.net/10220/20254 |
| _version_ | 1811677927509590016 |
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| author | Walls, Judith L. Triandis, Harry C. |
| author2 | Nanyang Business School |
| author_facet | Nanyang Business School Walls, Judith L. Triandis, Harry C. |
| author_sort | Walls, Judith L. |
| collection | NTU |
| description | Purpose – There are four criteria that people universally value: health, well-being, longevity, and environmental preservation. When these criteria are violated, a society becomes unsustainable. In order to preserve cultures, these four universal criteria therefore need to be taken into account. But nation states are no longer the dominant form of social organizing – corporations are. This raises questions about the role of corporations in preserving cultural values. How do corporations measure up to these four universal truths? Can corporations live up to these values, above and beyond financial performance, and does it matter? The paper aims to discuss these issues.
Design/methodology/approach – Amidst a shifting trend toward vertical individualism which emphasizes personal needs, status, and hierarchy, the paper argues that the universal truths are more important than ever in the consideration of corporate social responsibility.
Findings – The paper concludes that although most companies claim to be attending to social and environmental issues, the current form of corporate governing is largely incapable of optimizing the four universally held values.
Originality/value – The authors present some examples of corporations and corporate forms that appear to be heading in the “right” direction, but highlight that challenges remain. Nevertheless, the cross-culture literature can help inform the future of the relationship between business, society, and the natural environment. |
| first_indexed | 2024-10-01T02:45:09Z |
| format | Journal Article |
| id | ntu-10356/104526 |
| institution | Nanyang Technological University |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-10-01T02:45:09Z |
| publishDate | 2014 |
| record_format | dspace |
| spelling | ntu-10356/1045262023-05-19T06:44:42Z Universal truths : can universally held cultural values inform the modern corporation? Walls, Judith L. Triandis, Harry C. Nanyang Business School DRNTU::Social sciences::Communication::Cultural studies Purpose – There are four criteria that people universally value: health, well-being, longevity, and environmental preservation. When these criteria are violated, a society becomes unsustainable. In order to preserve cultures, these four universal criteria therefore need to be taken into account. But nation states are no longer the dominant form of social organizing – corporations are. This raises questions about the role of corporations in preserving cultural values. How do corporations measure up to these four universal truths? Can corporations live up to these values, above and beyond financial performance, and does it matter? The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – Amidst a shifting trend toward vertical individualism which emphasizes personal needs, status, and hierarchy, the paper argues that the universal truths are more important than ever in the consideration of corporate social responsibility. Findings – The paper concludes that although most companies claim to be attending to social and environmental issues, the current form of corporate governing is largely incapable of optimizing the four universally held values. Originality/value – The authors present some examples of corporations and corporate forms that appear to be heading in the “right” direction, but highlight that challenges remain. Nevertheless, the cross-culture literature can help inform the future of the relationship between business, society, and the natural environment. Accepted version 2014-07-30T07:18:28Z 2019-12-06T21:34:31Z 2014-07-30T07:18:28Z 2019-12-06T21:34:31Z 2014 2014 Journal Article Walls, J. L., & Triandis, H. C. (2014). Universal truths: can universally held cultural values inform the modern corporation?. Cross Cultural Management: An International Journal, 21(3), 345-356. 1352-7606 https://hdl.handle.net/10356/104526 http://hdl.handle.net/10220/20254 10.1108/CCM-12-2013-0186 en Cross cultural management : an international journal © 2014 Emerald Group Publishing Limited. This is the author created version of a work that has been peer reviewed and accepted for publication by Cross Cultural Management: An International Journal, Emerald Group Publishing Limited. It incorporates referee’s comments but changes resulting from the publishing process, such as copyediting, structural formatting, may not be reflected in this document. The published version is available at: [http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/CCM-12-2013-0186]. application/pdf |
| spellingShingle | DRNTU::Social sciences::Communication::Cultural studies Walls, Judith L. Triandis, Harry C. Universal truths : can universally held cultural values inform the modern corporation? |
| title | Universal truths : can universally held cultural values inform the modern corporation? |
| title_full | Universal truths : can universally held cultural values inform the modern corporation? |
| title_fullStr | Universal truths : can universally held cultural values inform the modern corporation? |
| title_full_unstemmed | Universal truths : can universally held cultural values inform the modern corporation? |
| title_short | Universal truths : can universally held cultural values inform the modern corporation? |
| title_sort | universal truths can universally held cultural values inform the modern corporation |
| topic | DRNTU::Social sciences::Communication::Cultural studies |
| url | https://hdl.handle.net/10356/104526 http://hdl.handle.net/10220/20254 |
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