Hinduism and Hindu Business Practices

Abstract

The 21^st century global business environment is more diverse and interconnected than ever before. As organizations continue to expand their global reach, business professionals often find themselves having to navigate challenging cultural and religious terrain, which they may not be prepared for. While it is impossible for business professionals to learn the intricacies of all cultures and religions throughout the world, one can seek to learn about some of the more prominent cultures and religions of the world – particularly those they have a high likelihood of engaging with at some point in business. This paper examines Hinduism, a prevalent religion throughout many parts of the world, and discusses how its culture and beliefs are manifested through Hindu business practices. Particular focus is placed on business in India, the country with the largest number of Hindus. The purpose of this paper is to provide business professionals with a basic understanding of the history of Hinduism, an overview of the major beliefs of Hindus, and present information that will assist business professionals in successfully navigating intercultural affairs when doing business with Hindus in India and around the world.