Does Morality and Culture Matter in the Identity of European Business?

  • Abstract:

    With the constant strengthening and emphasis on open internal markets in Europe, there is an increased focus on doing business across borders in a socially responsible way. This implies a challenging question: Does morality and culture matter, and what place do these aspects have in the value system and identity of contemporary business people from Europe and Russia? To answer these questions, a research was based on a new trilemmatic paradigm, which allows insight into the ontology of inter-personal space. This patented novel Ullada method, uncovers the sub-personal balance and mutated patterns of bio-ethical determinants of individuals and social groups through intuitive, emotional and rational aspects. This is measured through the respondents’ attitudes towards different questions, and may be used to uncover social deceit, hidden conflicts, destructive ideas and processes. During 2011 and 2012 a pilot research was conducted based on the Ullada theory, with 20 business people from Europe (France, Germany and Switzerland), and 160 Russian entrepreneurs. The European group of respondents was tested using a patented computer- and internet-based colographic test, based on the research of Yuryev. The results revealed that, the respondents’ emotional determinants of the abstract cluster of topics covering the culture and morality of business, was found to be minimal, in contrast to the contents and aspects of the business itself. The research covering 160 Russian entrepreneurs, used a slightly modified method of measurements. The respondents were tested using a contact-based pictologic test, as developed by Yuryev. In this group as well, the moral components of business were found to be among the less important aspects, and, thus, uncovered principally very similar results as the European group. Consequently, the results suggest that the importance of the business itself, seem to overshadow the cultural and moral aspects of one’s actions.