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Relationships between ethics n leadership
ethics and leadership in business
ethics in organizations and leadership
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Americans that take the time to consider the Japanese perspective understand that they are products of a distinctive civilization and that their principles and ideals are the results of several thousand years of dominant pious conditioning that is completely different from those that shaped the nature, behavior and practice s of Westerners. To appreciate the Japanese, it is essential to have a comprehension of their religious and theoretical backgrounds. Fundamental moral values in Japanese business systems are influenced by three theoretical and spiritual traditions: the Shinto Ethic, The Confucian Ethic, and the Buddhist Ethic.
The head deity of Shinto is Amaterasu, the Sun Goddess from whom the Imperial Family of Japan traces its origin. Less significant clans, in turn, claim descent from the lesser Shinto deities. Shinto’s only command is to be loyal to one's ancestors. This principle binds all Japanese in a bond of unity to a degree unknown in rest of the world. Shintoism emphasizes that harmony is necessary to keep man and things right with the cosmos. Every individual is obligated to do whatever is expected of him whatever the cost as long as honor is brought to his family. Individuals in superior positions are obligated to take care of those who serve. Self-sacrifice, kindness, helpfulness, loyalty, will bring trust, honor, confidence, and respect from others. (Cowles, p. 623)
Confucius was adamant about respect for superior persons and things. His five basic relationships are between leader and lesser, father and son, older and younger brother, husband and wife, and friend and friend. The younger or lesser was to obey the older or superior but simultaneously the superior has duties to the inferior. (Cowles, p.1507). A...
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...everything within its means to obtain employment in another place for it’s laid off employees. As we have seen, when the market shifts in the United States, employees are laid off generally with little notice and with little account for their capability to secure new employment. In Japan no one is laid off. If the company feels that they have made a poor selection, they will send that person back through training and place him in a situation where he will receive encouragement and aid. In the United States, however, the lacking employee is fired. Very seldom is any thought given to retraining the individual or placing him/her in a more supportive setting.
In brief, although these two cultures often find it tasking to comprehend and support each other’s differing corporate goals and management styles, human decency is universal so respect is shown to both ideals.
Confucius’ impact on Chinese culture has withstood numerous generations and continues to be one of the most prominent philosophies found in Chinese culture. Firmly rooted in years of education, Confucius spent considerable time developing his set of values and principles. In his article entitled “Confucius and the Effortless Life of Virtue”, author Hagop Sarkissian adds to this by saying, “Confucius set his mind on a course of study or cultivation at the age of fifteen, and pursued such studies for a span of fifty-five years, and was thereby able to cultivate a state of being such that he could follow his immediate inclinations in all of life’s predicaments without transgressing social norms” (Sarkissian 1). Confucius’ extensive studies only added to the philosophy represented in the Analects. This includes the pas...
Japan’s religious belief and Japan’s modern, materialist society create and ideological conflict that kept on growing. Contradictions between the old and the new, modernity and tradition are part of the contemporary issues of religion in Japan. Ideological conflicts like this create repercussion leaving a schism in the psyche. Because of this, beliefs and life styles of the Japanese community grow to become more difficult giving as a result internal confusion and isolation. As Japan’s economic power grows, Japanese people are able to enjoy many goods and more modern urban areas and cities. Japan industrial era and religion’s messages creates conflict in the Japanese society. People are facing struggle while tryi...
Confucianism is a moral and religious system of China. Its origins go back to the Analects, the sayings attributed to Confucius, and to ancient writings, including that of Mencius. Confucius was born a mandarin under the name Kongzi. It was developed around 550 B.C. In its earliest form Confucianism was primarily a system of ethical concepts for the control of society. It saw man as a social creature that is bound to his fellow men by jen, or “humanity.” Jen is expressed through the five relationships—sovereign and subject, parent and child, elder and younger brother, husband and wife, and friend and friend. Of these, the filial relation is most important.
Since my cultural experience was on the Japanese culture, I decided I would continue on with that interest and write my paper about the Japanese culture therefor giving me a chance to do more research about the culture. The Japanese culture is really rich and diverse, there is a particular hierarchy or structure to the Japanese culture, Denison (2002) stated that “Japanese culture is structured around black and white norms for acceptable group behavior. People who do not function by there norms are viewed as outsiders who lack legitimate status. Black and white expectations of behavior produce equally clear cut conformity, resulting in high harmony and certainly of outcome, trust is early through continuous conformity”.This is a huge and really important aspect of their culture because it governs their social standing, interacting with others and the way they are seen, and when it comes to your social standing in the culture, the way you are seen and respected by those around you is very important.
There are several common themes running through the primary work of compiled sayings attributed to Confucius: emphasis on gentlemanly conduct, pursuit of humbleness among fellow man, and a search for a proper ruler who is in accordance with “the Way.” Running throughout the entire book of “The Analects”, Confucius makes reference to many characteristics that a gentleman should possess. Even beginning in the first chapter of Book One, Confucius is attributed with saying, “Is it not gentlemanly not to take offence when others fail to appreciate your abilities?” Other characteristics Confucius attributed to gentlemanly conduct include studying the rites and “The Odes”, humbleness, lack of desire for places of position, unbending in moral conduct, and many other factors. By laying out a basis upon which a gentleman should act, Confucius establishes a standard to measure the quality of all men. Setting a standard implies that there are men above and below this set, desired point, and the word standard also indicates a measure of quantitative or qualitative value. By creating such a standard, Confucius is immediately able to begin causing social reform and progress. However, this progress, though achieved through concentration on social values, never reaches the capacity to which Confucius desires it to reach. Several sayings within The Analects indicate that Confucius is unable to see an accumulation of all desire...
Written during the Period of Warring States, The Analects consists of what Confucius and his disciples believed to be the key values required for a harmonious society. Through various exchanges between an entity only recognized as “The Master” and people of other backgrounds such as Dukes and students, the disciples define the fundamental Confucian values that everyone in society must conform to such as ren (kindness), yi (altruism), li (everyday norms), and zhi (morality). The discourses evince a very conservative stance when it comes to citizens conforming to these values in that “The Master”, or Confucius, is unrelenting in his criticism of the “small man” or anyone led astray from the traditional Confucian values. Centrally, Confucius argues
In addition, shortly thereafter, she and a small group of American business professionals left to Japan. The conflict between values became evident very early on when it was discovered that women in Japan were treated by locals as second-class citizens. The country values there were very different, and the women began almost immediately feeling alienated. The options ...
The relationship between ruler and subject is that the ruler must work to protect and govern, while subjects must provide their ruler with loyalty. The father is responsible for caring for his son and providing him an education, while the son must show his father obedience and honor. In the husband and wife relationship, the husband is to provide for his wife, while the wife shows obedience and takes care of the home. The older brother has the responsibility to take care of his younger brother and look after him, while the younger brother must show obedience. Lastly, the relationship between elder and younger places the elder with the responsibility of taking care of the younger. The younger must then show respect and obedience toward the elder. In the even that the elder is unable to care for themselves, as in the case of aging parents, it is the younger’s responsibility to care for the elder. The idea is that when each person is doing their duty in each relationship, society will run much more smoothly and harmoniously. While Confucianism focuses on social aspects, it does not consider the
Western Washington University (2011). US / Japan culture comparison. Retrieved February 9, 2014, from www.wwu.edu/auap/english/gettinginvolved/CultureComparison.shtml
Almost one million people die in Japan every year. In other words, people die every 31 seconds. Some people die because of illness. Some people die because of car accident. Some people commit suicide. There are many kinds of death in this world. I believe most of those deaths are disconsolate and absurd. However, the honorable but unbelievable death existed in Japan in the middle ages. We call that hara-kiri. Hara-kiri is basically an act of killing your self by cutting open your stomach with a sword, performed especially by the warrior, to avoid shame or losing honor. Before I start talking about hara-kiri, I need to explain about the history of Japan.
In spite of Shinto’s maternal principle which operated within Japanese society, the formation of society was and still remains a patriarchal hierarchy. It could be argued that the want for patriarchalization of Japanese society came from the political power of the imperial family who promoted this ideal. The source of power of the imperial family is the divine authority derived from the ancestral deity, Amaterasu, as the Kojiki and Nihongi describe (Kasulis 75). Since Amaterasu is the ancestral goddess of the Imperial family, the Sun Goddess who governs the universe and who occupies the highest position in Shintoism, she serves to show historic attitudes regarding women and modern attitudes regarding women. This can be highlighted through the ancient Shinto texts, the Kojiki and Nihongi.
Starting out, they have deep respect for their elders and they care for them dearly. Elderly people are valued as important members of society as they pass down traditions from generation to generation. These traditions, which are also deeply valued, are deep-rooted that go back for millenniums. These traditions of working harmoniously and respectfully also spawn from their cultural roots in their three main religions, Shintoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism. Their hardships throughout history are also considered a principle factor the the basis for their values. Other things that the japanese value are family, government, nature, and
Japan has lived five main stages until 1990’s, in which the definition of business ethics has changed radically. We will be stating the five main periods and describing how Japanese companies dealt with their social and legal responsibilities:
Japan is a large island off to the east of China it is a great country that has a rich culture. The Japanese religion is based off of two main beliefs, the belief in Shinto and Buddhism many Japanese people believe consider themselves both. The Japanese people were known to be around as early as 4,500 B.C. They have constructed their government style to a constitutional monarchy where they do in fact have an emperor, but he has limited power within the country. The main power of the country is held by the Prime Minister of Japan. Japan is made up of many islands that extend along the Pacific coast of Asia. The land area is made up of a lot of forest and mountainous area that cannot be used for agricultural, industrial or residential use. Japan also has one of the largest and growing economies in the world. They are growing every day and it is all because the people of Japan work very hard in order for their economy to flourish as it has.
Japan is a prideful nation that honors tradition and culture. In Japan, where Shintoism and Buddhism are the major religions, families place emphasis on parental control because a strong lineage confirms a family's longevity and economic stability. According to Koike (2013), "Until the end of World War II, the Confucian-based ie seido, or family system, stressed the subordination of individual needs to the needs of the group. Consequently, the continuity of one’s family lineage, rather than personal preference, was the primary criterion in mate selection" (p. 320)....