International business ethics

Purpose – While international corporate unethical behaviors seem to permeate uncontrollably, it is nevertheless, not an incurable dilemma. The paper aims to address the key steps in achieving such governance: chief ethics officer, tone‐at‐the‐top, and whistle‐blower hotlines. With that said, this paper will also address the value of unethical behavior, both from a macro and a micro perspective. Design/methodology/approach – The paper uses an archival literature review to date on international corporate governance, and its challenges to achieve international corporate ethics compliance governance are analysed. Findings – One of the greatest challenges for international corporations is establishing a setup that involves more than the board of directors and senior management, but every employee within the corporation. A key compliance challenge is creating an international corporate culture that tolerates and encourages employees to come forward and report improper conduct. Originality/value – International corporate unethical behaviors are not myths, should not remain taboo, and should be addressed immediately, for it is not an incurable dilemma. Those who do not learn from one's corporate unethical behaviors are deemed to repeat it. Those who do not learn from others' corporate unethical behaviors are deemed to commit it. Reputation takes time to establish but takes less time to ruin.