BA 4216Cross-cultural Studiesin Organizations

Worldview and religion

Instructor: Çağrı Topal1

ReligionA major source of worldviewsA socially shared set of beliefs,

ideas, and actions that relate to reality

A guide for everyday practiceMonotheistic vs. polytheistic

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Judaism-1: principlesGod is oneNo human will ever be divineHumans are freeHumans are the pinnacle of creationJews are chosen people to serve the

GodHumans must be obedient to God-

given commandments as written in the wholly book Torah

Human-beings are held personally responsible for their deeds in this life3

Judaism-2: groupsOrthodoxReform or liberalConservativeHassidim

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Judaism-3: implications

Not against private ownership and commercial activities

Traditional business orientationRestrictions on consumption of

certain foodsNo work on Sabbath

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Christianity-1: basesThe Trinity of God: the Father, the

Son, the Holy SpiritJesus Christ as the role modelSalvation by regret

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Christianity 2: principles

Worship no god but the GodDo not make images of anything in heavenDo not use the God’s name for evil purposeObserve the Sabbath and keep it holyRespect your mother and fatherDo not commit murderDo not commit adulteryDo not stealDo not accuse anyone falselyDo not covet another person’s possessions

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Christianity-3: groupsRoman CatholicEastern OrthodoxProtestantIndigenous Christians

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Christianity-4: implicationsImportance of workPrivate propertyProtestant ethic and hard workCatholicism and social justice

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Islam-1: six articlesBelief in Allah as the only godBelief in angelsBelief in other holy books, Koran

being the lastBelief in other prophets,

Muhammad being the last and the greatest

Belief in the judgment dayBelief that everything good or evil

proceeds from the God

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Islam-2: other principlesHonoring and respecting parentsRespecting the rights of othersBeing generous but no squandererAvoiding killing except for justifiable

causesNot committing adulteryDealing justly and equitably with othersBeing of pure heart and mindSafeguarding the possessions of

orphansBeing humble and unpretentious

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Islam-3: implicationsFairness, equity, and mutual

consent in businessNo interestNot against free enterpriseFocus more on spiritual lifeProhibitions on bribery, alcohol,

pork meat, chance games, and obscenity

Civil code regulating all life spheres

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Hinduism-1: principlesTransient and illusory worldIncarnations and cycle of birth and

rebirthKarma and nirvanaHierarchy of gods and goddessesVedas as the religious textsSpiritual and material worlds not

separatedNo formal religious hierarchyStrict social hierarchy and cast

system 13

Hinduism-2: implicationsAsceticismNot supportive of entrepreneurship

and wealth creationImmobility between classesParadox: current-day India with

highly productive workforce and industrial activities

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Buddhism-1: principlesSpiritual fulfillmentExistence as suffering due to desire

for things and personsSuppression of desire and end of

sufferingNo god or gods but a supreme truth

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Buddhism-2: implicationsNo support for free enterpriseSpiritual not material well-beingSuppression of desires

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Confucianism-1: basesHierarchical relationships between

people for stability in society (ruler-subject, father-son, older brother-younger brother, husband-wife, older friend-younger friend)

Exchange of respect/loyalty and protection/consideration

Family as the prototype for all social institutions

Group membership before individuality

Harmony and keeping face

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Confucianism-2: principlesLove for humankindRespect for the pastRespect for the acquisition of

knowledge and character building Society best run by virtue not by

lawResponsibility of government for

the governed

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Confucianism-3: implicationsFostering and developing long-term

relationshipsNetworking and cultivating

relationships with business partnersPersonal and reciprocal not just

contractual and transactional relationships

Work ethic

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Comparison: WestMechanistic worldviewReason over intuitionScience over religionUniverse as something manageableDualism of spiritual and material

worlds

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Comparison: EastNon-mechanistic worldviewIntuition over logical thinkingWisdomUniverse as something

unmanageableNo dualism of mind and spirit but

unity

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