A Synthetic Model of Chinese Business Ethics in Business-To-Business Contexts

ABSTRACT

Neither the deontology-teleology dichotomy central to Western-grounded business ethics models nor reductionist Taoist and Confucian approaches fully consider the contextualized meanings, underlying mechanisms, and shifting connotations inherent to Chinese business ethics. The posited synthetic framework includes the multifaceted sources, norms, and dyads that foster Chinese moral codes and ethical values in business-to-business contexts. Critically, it juxtaposes the deontology-teleology dichotomy and synergy between Yi (i.e. responsibilities and duties of people to their family, community, and society) and Li (i.e. material interests, favorable outcomes, or beneficial results).

KEYWORDS:

• Business ethics theory
• ethical dyads
• deontology and teleology
• Yi and Li
• Chinese business ethics

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).