Evolution of moral values and ethics in trades and businesses since independence in Mauritius

The business environment in Mauritius has evolved considerably since the country gained independence in 1968. Earlier, small- scale businesses and trades were mainly driven by trust and moral values established among the business holders and customers. These moral values were mostly drawn from values, beliefs and the religious faiths of traders and customers from four religious communities – Hindus, Christians, Muslims and Buddhists. Moral values primarily guided transparency and honest practices for ethical transactional decisions and ensured that cases of unethical conduct were almost non-existent. With globalization, the principle of ethical trade has seen a shift toward reliance on codes of conduct to drive business transactions. Yet globalization has also brought about undesirable effects and risks that currently confront businesses. This chapter reflects, through a case study approach, on the evolution of business ethics and moral values in Mauritius. It aims to investigate the changing nature of management and decision-making processes within businesses with particular insights into the core values of trust, honesty and respect. It additionally explores how three pillars – religious values, women’s emancipation and digital business transformation – have influenced the underlying principles of ethics and values in business.