Setting the Agenda for Global Dialogue: A Theoretical and Practical Approach to Business Ethics in Saudi Arabia

David Cowan
Boisi Center, 艾可直播 College

Date: April 10, 2014

This event is co-sponsored with聽Islamic Civilization and Societies聽and the聽Winston Center for Leadership and Ethics聽at 艾可直播 College.

Abstract

Participation in the globalized, international market system presents opportunities for countries and business firms to access a global network of expertise and knowledge. However, for countries like Saudi Arabia, global standards in business ethics often run counter to cultural norms and to Islamic ideas. This also presents a challenge to notions of what is in fact normative, and whether 鈥淲est knows best.鈥 At this event, Boisi Center visiting scholar David Cowan will discuss Saudi Arabia鈥檚 attempt to establish a modern business culture while grappling with globalization鈥檚 challenges to Arabic social values. This case study will provide insight into the modern challenges facing developing nations at the intersection of culture, ethics, and business.

Speaker Bio

David Cowan

David Cowan聽is a visiting scholar at the Boisi Center during the Spring 2014 semester, where he is researching diplomacy and communication regarding religion in American foreign policy, with a focus on Christianity and Islam. A senior tutor in Politics and Religion at King鈥檚 Evangelical Divinity School and approved tutor at the University of Chester, he is also a communications advisor with over twenty-five years experience working for such organizations as the World Bank and the Institute of Islamic Banking & Insurance. He has lived and worked in North America, Europe and the Middle East. He is the author of聽Strategic Internal Communication聽(2014) and聽Economic Parables: The Monetary Teachings of Jesus Christ聽(2007), among other works. He is also a regular reviewer for the聽Journal of Theological Studies. Cowan earned his Ph.D. at the University of St. Andrews, jointly undertaken in the School of Divinity and the School of International Relations, and holds a B.Th. and M.Th. from the University of Oxford, an M.Litt. from the University of St. Andrews, and a Diploma in Theology from Westfield House, Cambridge, where he was Lutheran chaplain to the University of Cambridge.

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Further Reading

Habiba Anwar and Anthony Shoult, eds.,聽听3rd聽ed. (London: GMB Publishing Ltd, 2006).

Ben Casselman, 鈥,鈥欌赌澛Wall Street Journal, May 24, 2011.

Adam Coogle, 鈥,鈥 HumanRightsWatch.org, August 1, 2013.

David Cowan,聽聽(Downers Grove, IL: IVP Books, 2012).

Kelly Currie, John Beaumont, and Dalal Hasan, 鈥淒oing Business in Saudi Arabia,鈥澛New York Law Journal, January 10, 2013.

Hugh Eakin, 鈥,鈥澛New York Review of Books聽(January 10, 2013).聽

Karen Elliott House,聽聽(New York: Knopf, 2012).聽

Ben Hubbard, 鈥,鈥澛New York Times, December 2, 2013.

Ben Hubbard, 鈥,鈥澛New York Times, October 26, 2013.

Ellen Knickmeyer, 鈥,鈥澛Wall Street Journal, November 8, 2012.

Hao Li, 鈥,鈥澛International Business Times, February 6, 2012.

Thomas W. Lippman,聽聽(Washington, DC: Potomac Books, 2012).聽

Michael O鈥橩ane,聽聽(Sharjah, UAE: Dar Al Andalus,聽 2010).

Tyler O鈥橬eil, 鈥,鈥澛Christian Post, August 3, 2013.

Joe Sharkey, 鈥,鈥澛New York Times, March 14, 2011.