increased understanding in international business grows both from an awareness of cultural differences as well as from an appreciation of underlying shared values across cultures. this volume focuses on the latter. it assembles the best thinking of scholars from around the world in an attempt to clarify and deepen our understanding of these ethical universals. scholars from germany, england, canada, japan, china, and the united states have contributed to this volume. they also represent diverse disciplines: economics, philosophy, business ethics, history, religion, education, and political theory. nevertheless, they unite in their conviction that the most important values and principles in international business do no vary with geography.