Do American and Mexican Purchasing Managers Perceive Ethical Situations Differently?

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine whether samples of American and Mexican purchasing managers had differing perceptions regarding ethical situations. Using Hofstede’s framework of cultural analysis as a theoretical base, it was hypothesized that there would be differences in the ethical perceptions of the two groups. A set of 11 ethical situations were given to purchasing managers in the form of a survey. American and Mexican purchasing managers in our sample differed in a statistically significant manner on seven of the 11 ethical situations. In each of the seven situations Mexican purchasing managers felt the situations were more ethical than did the American purchasing managers. Drawing on results from our study and interviews conducted with American and Mexican purchasing managers, we identify issues that purchasing managers both in the United States and Mexico, and marketers interested in doing business in Mexico, may want to consider. We also propose a model that seeks to show the evolution of purchasing in different countries and organizations.