RELIGIOUS IMPLICATIONS FOR INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

Religious is one of the most important determinants of culture.

Religion is…

•Shared beliefs and rituals concerned with the realm of the sacred.

•Ethical Systems:  Moral principles or values used to guide and shape behavior.

•Shapes attitudes toward work and entrepreneurship and can affect the cost of doing business.

The sociological meaning of Religion

Sociologists concluded that every religion separates the sacred from the profane. The particular things considered sacred vary from culture to culture.

The fuctions of religion…

Religion gives formal approval to existing social arrangements.

Legitimate, justify, or give official approval to

•    Encourages a sense of unity
•    Provides a sense of understanding
•   Promotes a sense of belonging

RELIGIUS IMPLICATIONS FOR INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS

Conflict theory and Religion

 Karl Marx believed that once people have created a unified system of sacred beliefs and practices, they act as if it were something beyond their control. Religion words against social change.

·         Max Weber suggested the religion sometimes encourages social change.-“Spirit” of capitalism-Protestant work ethic

CHRISTIANITY	ISLAM	HINDUISM	BUDISM	CONFUCIANISM
Max Weber suggested that the Protestant work ethic and its focus on hard work, wealth creation, and frugality was the driving force of capitalism. Max Weber:  “If one works hard, he or she will succeed”. (Weber, 1958)	Under Islam, people do not own property, but only act as stewards for God and thus must take care of that which they have been entrusted with. Businesses that are perceived to be making a profit through the exploitation of others, by deception, or by breaking contractual obligations are unwelcome	Practiced primarily on the Indian sub-continent, focuses on the importance of achieving spiritual growth and development, which may require material and physical self-denial Hindu asceticism is said to undermine entrepreneurial activity.	Also seen as a religion whose focus on spiritual achievement undermines wealth creation. “Samara” The eternal cycle of birth, suffering, death and rebirth (Fang 1999).	Interest of collectivity is higher than that of individual (Fang 1999). Confucius taught that salvation is attained through right action based on three key teachings: ▫Loyalty to one’s superiors ▫Reciprocal obligations of superiors to subordinates(guanxi) ▫Honesty These teachings may lower the cost of doing business in Confucian societies

QUESTION

What is the dominant religion in Colombia? What are the religious implications for doing business here?.

The dominant religion in Colombia is Catholicism, but normally people are not too much strict with religion in business. Basically the most implication that it has in doing business are the basic values or ethic believes that Catholics have, like confidence, equity, transparence and goodness in general. Maybe other aspect is that in the country people do not used to work on Sundays because it suppose to be the day of going to the church and also we have the holly week when people do not work, so if someone comes with a different idea it would affect in some aspect not to have the time at job expected. Catholic people tend to be open to other cultures in terms of business relation but it is necessary to prepare the Colombian negotiators in order to know much more about other religions to have a better sense of understanding while making business.

REFERENCES

·         Fang, T (1999) Chinese Business Negotiating Style, London: SAGE Publications Ltd.

·         Hill, C. (2007) International Business: Competing in the Global Marketplace. 7ed. New York: McGraw-Hill/Irwin.

·         Weber, M. (1958) the Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism, New York: Scribner's Press.