MinI casE stUDiES...

roshcrazy

MP Guru
m glad that these case studies helped you..lukin fwd. 2 discuss them wid you all...keepgivin ur comments and suggestions..ill keep uploadin more..!!
 

ruvi_143

Par 100 posts (V.I.P)
Good case studies..........but dont u think they are too descriptive. There aint any case as such.........making it a bit difficult to keep your eyes fixed on the text.......

Lets start discussing these case studies one by one and bring up questions that could help us in understand them in a much better manner..............

BTW, good going.............
 

roshcrazy

MP Guru
hey ruvi, thnx for ur suggestion....

Business Ethics Case Studies
Whistleblowing & the Environment: the Case of Avco Environmental



Chantale Leroux works as a clerk for Avco Environmental Services, a small toxic-waste disposal company.

The company has a contract to dispose of medical waste from a local hospital. During the course of her work, Chantale comes across documents that suggest that Avco has actually been disposing of some of this medical waste in a local municipal landfill. Chantale is shocked. She knows this practice is illegal. And even though only a small portion of the medical waste that Avco handles is being disposed of this way, any amount at all seems a worrisome threat to public health.

Chantale gathers together the appropriate documents and takes them to her immediate superior, Dave Lamb. Dave says, "Look, I don't think that sort of thing is your concern, or mine. We're in charge of record-keeping, not making decisions about where this stuff gets dumped. I suggest you drop it."

The next day, Chantale decides to go one step further, and talk to Angela van Wilgenburg, the company's Operations Manager. Angela is clearly irritated. Angela says, "This isn't your concern. Look, these are the sorts of cost-cutting moves that let a little company like ours compete with our giant competitors. Besides, everyone knows that the regulations in this area are overly cautious. There's no real danger to anyone from the tiny amount of medical waste that 'slips' into the municipal dump. I consider this matter closed."

Chantale considers her situation. The message from her superiors was loud and clear. She strongly suspects that making further noises about this issue could jeopardize her job. Further, she generally has faith in the company's management. They've always seemed like honest, trustworthy people. But she was troubled by this apparent disregard for public safety. On the other hand, she asks herself whether maybe Angela was right in arguing that the danger was minimal. Chantale looks up the phone number of an old friend who worked for the local newspaper.

Questions for Discussion:

What should Chantale do?

What are the reasonable limits on loyalty to one's employer?

Would it make a difference if Chantale had a position of greater authority?

Would it make a difference if Chantale had scientific expertise?

author:Chris MacDonald
source: www.businessethics.ca
 

roshcrazy

MP Guru
Case Study: Purchasing Ethics
by Doug Carter
Electronics Technology



J.R. accepted a position at Cripple Creek Vocational University and he and his family made a permanent move. Soon, J.R. was promoted to Administrative Vice President, overseeing the purchasing department of the University. His oldest son, Jim, got a good job in educational equipment sales at Tiddley Computer Corporation in Fort Worth.

As Vice President, J.R. quickly saw the need for 4 to 5 computers in his office. Although CCVU had a bidding policy, J.R. purchased Tiddley Corporation's computers direct from Tiddley for about $3500 each, when IBM clones were selling for around $2000 and the clone had more promising features than the Tiddley. Jim handled the sale and received a healthy commission on the sale. If the purchase had gone through the normal bidding process, the TC model would not have been selected. Tiddley's local Cripple Creek franchise dealer objected to Tiddley Corporation that his protected franchise had been bypassed in the deal.

Questions:

Since J.R. was over the purchasing department and had final decision authority, should purchasing have gone through the normal bidding routine?

Is it acceptable for a V.P. to bypass the normal routine to do business with a family member?

Was J.R.'s decision not to request bids an ethical choice?

What should the college purchasing agent do?

Should anyone else at CCVU have any interest in this activity?

Has Tiddley's Cripple Creek franchise owner been wronged?

Should Jim have made the sale? Received a commission?

source:http://www.uvsc.edu/ethics/curriculum/business/case08.html
 

roshcrazy

MP Guru
Business Ethics Case Studies:
The Polluter's Dilemma


Jonica Gunson is the environmental compliance manager for a small plastics manufacturing company. She is currently faced with the decision whether or not to spend money on new technology that will reduce the level of a particular toxin in the wastewater that flows out the back of the factory and into a lake.
The factory's emission levels are already within legal limits. However, Jonica knows that environmental regulations for this particular toxin are lagging behind scientific evidence. In fact, a scientist from the university had been quoted in the newspaper recently, saying that if emission levels stayed at this level, the fish in the lakes and rivers in the area might soon have to be declared unsafe for human consumption.

Further, if companies in the region don't engage in some self-regulation on this issue, there is reason to fear that the government — backed by public opinion — may force companies to begin using the new technology, and may also begin requiring monthly emission level reports (which would be both expensive and time consuming).

But the company's environmental compliance budget is tight. Asking for this new technology to be installed would put Jonica's department over-budget, and could jeopardize the company's ability to show a profit this year.

Questions for Discussion:

What motives would the company have to install the new technology?

What motives would the company have to delay installing the new technology?

Why might the companies in this region prefer for the government to impose new regulations?

by: Chris MacDonald
source: www.businessethics.ca
 

raqes

New member
hi
where i wil get d answer of case studies........................
plz reply!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
 

roshcrazy

MP Guru
frn, dese are case studies...ur suggestions and views are d answers to it.....y do u want to find answers????
 

roshcrazy

MP Guru
Case Study: The Elderly Stockholder

by Kathleen Higgens and
Robert Solomon
Philosophy
University of Texas at Austin


You are the CEO of a corporation whose board has just decided to cut the dividend to the stockholders. This is a matter of absolute confidentiality, as it could have major effects on your stock prices if the information gets out before implementation of the cut.

At a reception, you are approached by an elderly gentleman, who retired from the company several years ago. Virtually all of his savings and much of his retirement income is in company stock. He asks, point blank, whether he should sell some of his stock, in order to obtain some needed funds for living expenses. You know that he knows a "yes" answer will indicate some dramatic decision, such as a decision to cut the dividend, is impending. If you tell him "no," he could lose considerable value on his stock.

Questions:

Do you tell him?

What do you say?

If you tell him, could it affect your company?

Could this affect your own job?

source: http://www.uvsc.edu/ethics/curriculum/business/case17.html
 

roshcrazy

MP Guru
The Question of Corporate Responsibilityby Dr. Robert C. Solomon
University of Texas at Austin


In January of last year, the S.S. Vulgass, an oil tanker of the Big Dirty Oil Company ran around in the area just north of Vancouver, spilling millions of gallons of crude into the waters and onto the beaches of British Columbia and southern Alaska. The damage to the beaches and wildlife and consequently to the tourist industry, the ecology and the quality of life of the local residents is incalculable, but in any case will require many millions of dollars for even the most minimal clean-up.

The ship struck a small atoll, well-marked on the navigational maps, but it was a dark night and the boat was well off course. On further investigation, it was discovered that the Captain of the Vulgass, Mr. Slosh, had been drinking heavily. Leaving the navigation of the ship to his first mate, Mr. Mudd, he retired to his cabin, to "sleep it off." Mr. Mudd had never taken charge of the ship before, and it is now clear that he misread the maps, misjudged the waters, maintained a speed that was inappropriate and the accident occurred. Subsequent inquiries showed that Captain Slosh had been arrested on two drunk driving convictions within months of the accident. The Vulgass itself, a double-hulled tanker, was long due for renovation and, it was suggested, would not have cracked up if the hull had been trebly reinforced, as some current tankers were.

R. U. Rich, the Chief Executive Officer of Big Dirty Oil declared the accident a "tragedy" and offered two million dollars to aid in the clean up. The Premier of British Columbia was outraged. Environmental groups began a consumer campaign against Big Dirty Oil, urging customers to cut up and send in their Big Dirty Oil credit cards in protest. In a meeting to the shareholders just last month, CEO Rich proudly announced the largest quarterly profit in the history of the Big Dirty Oil Company. He dismissed the protests as "the outpourings of Greenies and other fanatics" and assured the shareholders that his obligation was, and would always be, to assure the highest profits possible in the turmoil of today's market.

Questions:

The question is, who is responsible?

Against whom should criminal charges be leveled?

What should be done, if anything, to punish the corporation itself?

What about the CEO?

source: http://www.uvsc.edu/ethics/curriculum/business/case12.html
 

roshcrazy

MP Guru
Corporative Discriminatory Policies
by Elaine E. Englehardt
Humanities/Philosophy


You are employed by a large corporation in a position you really enjoy. You make excellent salary, with stock options and outstanding benefits. You feel that you can move up in the company, and be very successful in a short time.

You have recently learned that the corporation which employs you has a branch office in South Africa. This office you learn, actively exploits blacks and the environment, yet the branch makes large profits. You will probably never be transferred to the South African branch, nor will you have much contact with it.

Questions:

Are you going to continue working for this corporation?

Justify your answer.
 

roshcrazy

MP Guru
Working Environment
by Stephen Adams
Graphics and Commercial Art


John, an employee of XYZ Publishing, called his supervisor over to the area where he was working and told him that he refused to do the job any more because the air conditioning in the room created a draft which was making him sick. Sam, the supervisor, did not feel any strong drafts, but wanted to be fair.

He summoned the buildings' safety director, who determined that the air duct was 25 feet away from the work station, and at a 45 degree angle from John. He further explained that the technology used by the air conditioning system diffused the air as it comes out of the duct and does not create a draft.

The supervisor decided that John's safety complaint was unjustified and ordered him to return to work. John again refused, stressing that since Sam was not a doctor, he was not capable of deciding whether or not there was a problem. XYZ Publishing subsequently discharged John for refusing a direct order from his supervisor to do a job that was covered under his regular duties.

John protested that requests to be removed from a job were often made, and that he was never informed that refusing to do the job would result in his discharge.

Questions:

Was John fired for just cause? (i.e., because he was sick, or because he refused a direct order?)

Did Sam act ethically toward John?

source: http://www.uvsc.edu/ethics/curriculum/business/case03.html
 

roshcrazy

MP Guru
FHS case study

Rohini Gupta supervised 11 accounting clerks in the budget and planning development of a large company manufacturer. None of the clerks had accounting degrees , but were skilled in handling records and figures.They primarily prepared budgetary plans and analysis for operating departments.Rohini assigned projects to clerks on thier interests and skills.Some projects were more desirable than others because of prestige, challenge, the contacts or other factors.Thus there were ocasional conflicts over, which clerk gets what project.1 clerk Mrs. Maria John was seemingly sensitive and hard-working who regularly complaint to rohini on this issue.

On 1 occasiona desirable project assigned to Mrs. Rama Nair, which led towards distress situation for Mrs. Maria John.The level of discomfort for Mrs. Maria John was so much that she retaliated by gathering the present assignment given and putting it away in her desk.She started reading a novel ans announced in front of her fellow colleagues that, "nobody around here gives me a good assignment".

Mrs. Rama Nair overheard the comments and got upset.She sat down in her chair wondering why Mrs. Maria was upset and what should be her follow up action.

Questions:
1.What is the problem in the organisation?

2.Highlight the steps you will take to solve the emerging crisis situation.
 

ross18

MP Guru
Iridium: Making a Comeback

Abstract

The caselet discusses the problems faced by Iridium after the launch of its mobile satellite services. These problems landed the company in deep financial trouble, which led Iridium to file for Chapter 11-bankruptcy protection in the US Bankruptcy Court. The case also talks about Dan Colussy’s turnaround strategies that resurrected the company and made it a success.

Issues:

» Critical success factors in the mobile satellite services industry.
» Strategies adopted to revive a bankrupt company.
» The need of market research to understand the market before a product/ service launch.

Introduction

The idea of Iridium was conceived in 1987 by three engineers-Ray Leopold, Ken Peterson and Bary Bertiger-who were working for the US-based electronics major Motorola. They pioneered the concept of a satellite-based, wireless personal communications network that could be accessed from anywhere on earth.




In 1991, Motorola incorporated Iridium to develop and deploy the satellite network system. Besides Motorola, which held a 20.1% stake in the venture, some of the other major partners included Germany’s Vebacom with 10%, Korea Mobile Telecommunications-4.4%, Sprint Corporation-4.4% and Italy’s STET with-3.8% stakes respectively. Motorola was the prime contractor for supplying satellites, gateways and communication products for Iridium...

Questions for Discussion:

1. What were the reasons for Iridium’s failure during the first phase of its launch despite substantial support from banks, creditors and suppliers? Explain in detail.

2. Dan Colussy revived Iridium, which had been written off as a bankrupt company with his turnaround strategy. What was the turnaround strategy adopted by Colussy? Which elements of the strategy in your opinion, were critical to the revival of the company and why?
 
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ross18

MP Guru
The Kodak-Fuji Duel

Abstract

The caselet discusses the entry of Fuji into the American market and how the company build its marketshare slowly and steadily. The case looks into the marketing strategies followed by Fuji and how Kodak retaliated to the threat from Fuji in the US and the Japanese market.

Issues:

» Strategies adopted by a multinational corporation while trying to enter and expand in an international market.
» The ways in which a foreign company challenges the market leader in the photographic industry in its home markets.
» Understand the market leader’s response towards the challenger and analyze the effectiveness of the response.

Introduction

The Japanese photo major, Fuji Photo Film (Fuji) first entered the US market in 1964 as a supplier of private label film and established its first subsidiary in 1965.




Since the beginning, Fuji focused on providing quality and innovative products to its US consumers. Fuji felt that it made more strategic sense to follow the New York based, Eastman Kodak Company’s (Kodak) lead, avoid attracting Kodak’s attention, and not take any steps that would provoke Kodak’s retaliation.

The company focused on building its marketshare in the US by adopting strategies to get the share of weaker US competitors rather than that of Kodak....

Questions for Discussion:

1. Examine the strategies adopted by Fuji to enter and build its presence in the US market. Analyze the reasons for Fuji’s success in the US.

2. Examine the strategies adopted by Kodak to counter Fuji in Japan. What were the reasons for Kodak’s poor performance in Japan?
 
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ross18

MP Guru
The Accounting Scandal at WorldCom

Abstract

The caselet looks into the ways in which WorldCom corrupted its account books. The changes in business environment made the company to struggle in the market. The caselet delves into the pressure of the stockholders to continuously generate good returns, without any focus on the long term impact, and how that pressure made the company to get into fraudulent behavior.

Issues:

» How companies corrupt the account books.
» How “earnings pressure” affect the performance of a company.
» The role of top management in perpetuating fraud in a company.

Introduction

In the 1990s, the US economy went through a phase of consolidation, in which many major companies acquired or merged with weaker companies to strengthen their own position in the market (as seen earlier, WorldCom happened to be one of the key acquirers in this phase). The share prices of companies play a vital role during mergers and acquisitions.




Therefore companies try to ‘maintain’ the prices of their shares (that is, keep them sufficiently high). If they fail to do so, they can easily become targets for takeover/acquisition.

Moreover, if a company wishes to raise capital from the market, its performance on the stock exchange is considered to be very important. The companies are generally valued on the basis of cash flows they could generate in future...

Questions for Discussion:

1. WorldCom has been one of the most successful companies in the recent past. It was considered to be a socially responsible firm. Then why did it choose to be unethical?

2. What did WorldCom do to conceal its actual financial position?
 
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roshcrazy

MP Guru
FHS CASE STUDY

Sharmila Verma worked as the chief supervisor for Jet airways at Mumbai airport.She was in charge of 15 member staff which dealt with the passengers luggage handling.Normally she did not deal with the passengers directly but in unusual problems she was called upon for problem solving.

One evening at 8 p.m. she was asked to deal with an angry passenger who approached her with the comment, "your incompetent, inefficient employees have lost my bag again, I need service fast or you will have to suffer the consequences".The passenger appeared to be very agitated and Sharmila had to act fast to pacify him and eventually avoid legal mess.

Sharmila asked the staff for justification and the reply stunned her.The staff complaint of many problems such as long working hours, low scale, no recognition, etc.This surprised Sharmila as her staff never complained on these points any time before.She wondered whether the present crisis had developed these justifications and whether the present issue of the angry passenger was just a tip of a ice-berg.

QUESTIONS:
1. If you are in place of Sharmila how will you pacify the angry passebger without downgrading the staff.

2.How can the staff be motivated?Which motivational theory would you recommend?
 
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