Hypernorms pull ahead: a conceptual framework of social media's impact on the integrative social contracts theory Online publication date: Thu, 14-Dec-2017
by Russell J. Zwanka
International Journal of Business and Globalisation (IJBG), Vol. 20, No. 1, 2018
Abstract: This paper reviews the potential impact of social media on Donaldson and Dunfee's integrative social contracts theory (ISCT), and the necessity of a corporate social responsibility (CSR) policy and code of ethics in a global business setting. The conceptual framework is formed through an academic review of each of these four concepts: ISCT, CSR, codes of ethics, and social media communication. The idea is that hypernorms, those 'universal truths' in the ISCT, are becoming the leading variable in business ethical decision making; whilst cultural relativism is becoming less relevant, because of the rise of social media communication. The paper includes implications for the development of a global ethical decision-making process, including a theory that social media may have caused a need for a change in the ISCT decision-making process. The study proposes that communication changes have led to a transparency, which could potentially render cultural relativism less impactful.
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