Trading in Hong Kong Essay Example for Free

Trading in Hong Kong Essay Great business dealings take into consideration the intricacies of the culture into which the business is to be established. Customers need to be studied – their needs, their wants and other demands. Studying the local culture would also help in dealing with local business people. What a business person must first note in studying Hong Kong and Vietnam culture is that both countries have collectivist orientations and interests. They exhibit close family and community ties. Loyalty is a very important value and each member takes responsibility for others in the group. (Taylor, para. 7) People in Hong Kong value â€Å"collective ideals of modesty, moderation, and the value of protecting established, harmonious relationships. The collective culture would reinforce peoples motivation to do a good job, because there is an element of face involved. If one is doing a good job in running a company, he or she not only reaps profits but also gain face †(International Business Ethics, Attitude toward a Corporation section). The concept of â€Å"face† in Hong Kong is roughly equivalent to reputation and integrity. Most Hong Kong companies are owned by families (International Business Ethics, Religions and Traditions section, para. 4). For the Vietnamese, the family is of utmost importance. The groups interests comes first before the individuals. All customs and rituals like weddings and funerals are attached to the village community. Marriages had to meet the interests of family lines and wedding proposals are made to the brides family. (Customs, para. 5) Hong Kong culture is â€Å"somewhere in-between Chinese and American culture† (International Business Ethics, para. 1). In fact, both Chinese and English are considered its official languages. Although Hong Kong is predominantly Chinese, its culture blends the East and the West, as well as the old and the new. â€Å"People here still cling to their roots, to their traditional beliefs and religions. They continue to pray and make offerings at more than 600 old and new temples, shrines and monasteries scattered across the territory.†Ã‚   (Hong Kong Culture, para. 2) Hong Kong is famous for their lion dances, a colorful display of   a dancing large lion usually during festive occasions and are meant to bring in good luck. The Hong Kong Chinese also celebrate the Ching Ming Festival, devoted to honoring their relatives who have died. Ancestors are held in high regard by the Chinese and they are always prayed to for guidance. Another festival that exhibits the Chineses close familial ties is the Moon Festival. It is believed that on that day, the moon is on its biggest, roundest and brightest. The term â€Å"round† implies family reunion in Chinese. There are various religions in Hong Kong, including Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism and Judaism. There are 39,400 Catholics, 300,000 Protestant Christians, 20,000 Muslims and 15,000 Hindus in Hong Kong. All of these religions are deeply involved in education, health care and social services. Homes of Buddhist and Taoist believers have ancestral shrines, â€Å"with images of the most favored of the hundreds of divinities (International Business Ethics, Religions and Traditions section, para. 2).† Generally, Hong Kong has a welcoming attitude to business people from around the world (Hong Kong a Model, para. 6). It could be expected that American-owned businesses would have no problem dealing with the Hong Kong Chinese. In fact, the city already hosts more than 1,100 American firms (U.S.-Hong Kong, para. 4). Despite this, American business people should still take note of the following cultural values and behaviors in order to avoid any misunderstandings with the Hong Kong Chinese: Colors are very significant. Red is considered a lucky color, while white is synonymous with death. It is wise to think about the color of your products. A common way of showing surprise or dismay is by sucking in air quickly and loudly through the lips and teeth. If your customer shows this gesture, it means he is displeased. Gift giving is a sign of thanksgiving. Present gifts using two hands and dont expect that it will be opened in front of you. Religion has a very significant influence on the culture and way of life of the Vietnamese. Their attitude towards family, life and death are greatly influenced by Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism (Religion, para. 1). The predominant religion in Vietnam is Buddhism, with about 10 million followers. The second largest is Catholicism, with about six million followers, but their influence on the   culture is minimal. Just as well, the influence of the two religious sects, Cao Dai and Hoa Hao, are also insignificant. Caodaism is a combination of different teachings of Buddha, Jesus, Confucius, Lao-Tse and others. Hoa Hao, meanwhile, is a reformed Theravada Buddhism. (Religion, Other religions section) There are also Protestants and Muslims in Vietnam but the numbers are not large. As with the Hong Kong Chinese, Vietnam had also opened their trade with the United States. Likewise, it could be expected that doing business in Vietnam would not be too difficult for Americans, just as long as they keep in mind some of the intricacies of this culture. Among these: The concept of face is very important to the Vietnamese. Take caution not to unintentionally cause the loss of face of your customer. Be aware of your words and actions.Complimenting them is a way to give face, while, accusing them of poor performance or reprimanding them in public causes the loss of face. Pass items with both hands. It shows respect. Do not pass anything over anyones head. Do not point using your finger. Point using your hand. Bibliography: Cunningham, J. (2005). U.S.-Hong Kong Economic Relations. Retrieved February 1, 2007 from http://usinfo.state.gov/eap/Archive/2005/Sep/30-249516.html Customs and practices. (n.d.) Retrieved February 1, 2007 from http://www.vietnamembassy-usa.org/learn_about_vietnam/culture/customs/ Hong Kong a Model for China, U.S. Consul General Says. (n.d.). Retrieved February 1, 2007 from http://usinfo.state.gov/eap/Archive/2005/Sep/30-249516.html Hong Kong Culture. (n.d.) Retrieved February 1, 2007 from http://hong-kong.tourism-asia.net/hong-kong-culture.html Huynh, D. T. (n.d.). Religion of the Vietnamese. Retrieved February 1, 2007 from http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Den/5908/religion/religioninvn.html   International Business Ethics: Hong Kong: Culture, Religion, and Tradition. (n.d.). Retrieved February 1, 2007 from http://www.pitt.edu/~ethics/Hong_Kong/culture.html Taylor, S. (n.d.). Geert Hofstede Analysis: Hong Kong. Retrieved February 1, 2007 from http://international-business-etiquette.com/besite/hong_kong.htm

Abortion Should be Illegal in American Society Essay -- The Right to Li

I must admit that the concern for the mother's safety is important, and that is exactly why abortion may not be the best option. There are many complications that affect a person after having an abortion, but I will only mention two. The first complication of having an abortion is a possibility of developing a mental disorder. The second complication is an increased risk of breast cancer. A study done by professors in the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the University of Manchester; showed that women who had an abortion have a risk of developing mental disorders (Major et al). The study also concluded that people who had prior psychological disorders have an even greater risk of developing a mental disorder, than people who did not have a history of psychological disorders (Major et al). In another study, a conclusion was reached that people that went through an abortion are more likely to develop mental disorders, than people that went through pregnancies (Reardon e t al). The research data that people use as a source for their information vary, because the amount of research done on the issue is minimal. However, the current indication is that an increase risk in psychological issues is associated with abortions. I am confident in the data that I obtained, because the information was taken from credible sources. The data that I located only mentioned that people are at risk of developing psychological disorders after abortion, but the articles did not go into detail about the specific disorders. The most remarkable danger for people that seek an abortion is an increased risk in developing breast cancer. The increased risk in breast cancer may be a compelling argument. Current studies show that people who have ... ...00. 10 Mar. 2006 . Reardon, David C., et al. â€Å"Psychiatric admissions of low-income women following abortion and childbirth.† CMAJ. 13 May 2003. 11 Apr. 2006 . Sade, Robert M. â€Å"Defining the Beginning and the End of Human Life: Implications for Ethics, Policy, and Law.† Blackwell Synergy. Mar. 2006. 11 Apr. 2006 . Turner, T. â€Å"Induced Abortion Might Elevate a Woman's Breast Cancer Risk in Later Years† JSTOR. Jan. 1995. 10 Mar. 2006 .

Ethical Theories Chart Essay

Complete the chart below using information from the weekly readings and additional research if necessary. Include APA formatted in-text citations when applicable and list all references at the bottom of the page. Ethical Theory Utilitarianism Deontological Virtue ethics Definition â€Å"A system of ethics according to which the rightness or wrongness of an action should be judged by its consequences. The goal of utilitarian ethics is to promote the greatest happiness for the greatest number† (â€Å"Define Utilitarianism,† 2005). Utilitarianism is making a decision that benefits the most amount of people/society. Deontological means duty, honesty, promise keeping, and fairness no matter what the consequences are (Trevino & Nelson, 2011). â€Å"Virtue Ethics is a classification within Normative Ethics that attempts to discover and classify what might be deemed of moral character, and to apply the moral character as a base for one’s choices and actions.† (Gowdy, 2011). Ethical thinker associated with theoryThe ethical thinker/thinkers associated with utilitarianism are Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill. Emmanuel Kant (Trevino & Nelson, 2011).Aristotle (Trevino & Nelson, 2011). Decision-making processThe decision making process is to Identify all of the possible stakeholders and what would be the consequences the  harms and benefits. Make a list of pro’s and con’s and the best ethical decision is one that is of the greater good for the most amount of people. The decision making process is figuring out what values and or obligations are important to you, and base your decision on what is right not what is best (Trevino & Nelson, 2011).The goal here is to be a good person because that is the type of person you wish to be and keep moral values or virtues in any action or decision. (Trevino & Nelson, 2011). Workplace exampleA few employees inform their boss that they do not feel comfortable working with a co-worker who was blamed for talking about confidential information, and the manager decided to terminate that employee’s employment. A workplace example would be telling your boss the truth even though you might get a fellow co-worker in trouble. If we see a person being sexually harassed on the job it is our moral responsibility to help them and follow through with our decision. This is a virtuous action. Reference: Define Utilitarianism. (2005). In New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy. Retrieved from http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/utilitarianism Growdy, L. (2011). Virtue Ethics. Retrieved from http://www.ethicsmorals.com/ethicsvirtue.html Trevino, L., & Nelson, K. (2011). Managing business ethics: Straight talk about how to do it right (5th ed.). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley. Utilitarianism. (n.d). In Wikipedia. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utilitarianism

The Role Of Confessions And Creeds On The s The Creedal...

There is much debate within evangelicalism about the role of confessions and creeds. In â€Å"The Creedal Imperative†, Carl Trueman addresses this by stating his belief that confessions and creeds are â€Å"vital to the present and future well-being of the church† through life and through worship (13). Trueman finds it important to argue that confessions and creeds fall in line with the belief that Scripture alone is the main source of revelation and authority, yet also noticing the synthetic and public nature of these documents. Trueman begins chapter one by addressing three cultural assumptions. These are: the past is important, language should be used to communicate truth, and the church should teach and enforce creeds and confessions. In†¦show more content†¦Trueman’s central point of his biblical basis is Paul’s words to Timothy. Paul says, â€Å"Follow the pattern of sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Jesus Christ† (2 Timothy 1:13). Trueman provides scriptural argument that the Bible demands we have forms of sound words to pass the gospel and tradition on to future generations, and the creeds are the best way of doing that. This indicates error in the idea the Bible is our only necessary creed. In chapter three, Trueman uses historical components to make his arguments and show the development of the creeds. Chapter three introduces the history of creeds and confessions through the early church by outlining the ecclesiological developments in discussing the Rule of Faith, the Apostle’s Creed, and the creeds of the ecumenical councils. Two unusual ideas were, â€Å"the fact that the early church developed them in the first place and the early church creeds focus on the most basic building blocks of faith† (104-105). Trueman states that the forms of sound words are what make up the creeds and showcase power over the non-Christian world. Trueman also addresses the Apostle’s creed, stating that it is not a Trinitarian doctrine due to inadequate detail on the doctrine of God. This indicates the focus on Christ’s identity and not just content that relates to Christians only.