Title: Effect of cross culture on ethical behaviour of Y generation – is it changing?

Authors: R.K. Srivastava

Addresses: K.J. Somaiya Institute of Management Studies & Research (SIMSR), University of Mumbai, Vidyanagar, Vidyavihar, Mumbai 400 077, India

Abstract: This paper explores the impact of individualism and collectivism on ethical decision-making process among generation-Y people. It also tries to explore the change in their decision-making process due to globalisation and recession. The study was conducted among MBA students in three universities. Large and small cities were covered for this study to elucidate any change in behaviour. Two types of behaviours, individualistic and collectivistic, were observed among generation Y. Individualist behaviour predominates the US future managers compared to collectivistic behaviour among the future manager of Asia. However, there is a shift of 18–24% in their thinking process, which could be due to globalisation, economic recession, etc. This is an interesting observation of the study. Understanding the recent change will enable the management to manage people of different countries working in the organisation. This is important when decision has to look into ethics too.

Keywords: generation Y; collectivism; individualism; ethics; cross cultures; ethical decision making; globalisation; recession; MBA students; higher education; universities; USA; United States; Asia; India; future managers; economy; ethnicity; human resource management; HRM; cross-cultural studies.

DOI: 10.1504/IJICBM.2010.032391

International Journal of Indian Culture and Business Management, 2010 Vol.3 No.3, pp.323 - 332

Published online: 02 Apr 2010 *

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