What do hyper norms promote in terms of global business practices?

Hyper norms in the context of global business practices refer to universal principles that have widespread acceptance and guide ethical behavior across diverse cultures. These principles are intended to transcend cultural differences and create a common ethical framework that businesses can adhere to while operating in various countries or regions. By promoting such universal standards, hyper norms facilitate better understanding and cooperation among multinational companies, ensuring that they maintain a consistent approach to ethical issues such as human rights, environmental responsibility, and fair treatment of employees, regardless of local cultural norms.

This concept is particularly important in global business, where varying local practices may present ethical challenges. Hyper norms help distinguish which behaviors are universally acceptable and should therefore be upheld across all markets, fostering trust and accountability in international transactions and relationships. This undermines the idea that businesses should merely adapt to local customs if those customs conflict with broader ethical standards, ultimately aiming to elevate business conduct globally.