Cases for Discussion

Case #1

Congress is in the process of passing new clean air regulations, designed to address some important health problems caused by pollution. If passed, the legislation would increase the costs of doing business for a number of firms. One firm, an oil refining company, estimates that its profits would be reduced by ten percent, since its increased costs could not be fully passed along to its customers. The company's lobbyists claim that some well-placed campaign contributions could get the company a special exemption from the new regulations. The firm's top managers are trying to decide whether to authorize the lobbyists to pursue this special exemption.

Case #2

Members of a legislature are considering passing a law which would make it illegal to discriminate against people with disabilities. The law would require any organization which provides goods or services or employment (businesses, churches, schools, etc.) to make whatever physical or organizational modifications are needed to make it possible for disabled people to participate (shop, work, worship, etc.) as readily as other people do. Should businesses whose costs will be increased by this legislation try to defeat it?

Case #3

Someone has been offered a job working for a company which is known to make most of its profits from its operations in a certain Third World country. In that country wages are so low that most children are malnourished, no environmental or safety regulations are imposed on businesses, and a corrupt and brutal government uses violent repression to keep people from organizing to change any of these circumstances. The job would be personally challenging and a good career move, but it would offer him no opportunity to influence the company's business practices in the Third World. He is wondering whether he should accept the job.

Case #4

A man has just discovered that a friend and co-worker of his is cheating their employer. (The amount of money involved is not trivial.) He is sure that the employer, for whom he has a good deal of respect, would not want to keep his friend around, if she knew of his cheating. He is wondering whether he should tell her about it.

Case #5

A manufacturing company has been operating profitably for many years in an inner-city neighborhood. Since times have become economically harder, both poverty and crime have risen in the neighborhood-- vandalism is increasing and some employees from the suburbs are starting to grumble about the danger involved in coming to work. A few months ago a man was robbed at knifepoint about a block away. On the other hand, many of the company's employees live in the neighborhood and are dependent on public transportation. The city is trying to encourage businesses to stay in the inner city by offering tax breaks, but the company still calculates that it could increase its profits by moving to a suburban location. It is considering moving to the suburbs.

Case #6

A purchasing agent for a department store chain has just discovered that a valued supplier, who has been providing an excellent line of clothing at very low prices, is employing 'sweatshop' labor. The workers are recruited abroad and promised a job in the US. Upon arrival they are confined in the manufacturing facility and told that they must stay until they have worked off the fees for their transportation, etc. (It turns out that this takes several years.) By US standards their wages and working conditions are unacceptable. They are beaten if they try to escape. The department store chain is facing intense competition and the purchasing agent is under a lot of pressure to keep costs as low as possible. The agent is considering continuing to buy from the supplier and pretending no knowledge of the sweatshops.

Case #7

A sales manager for a shoe manufacturer has calculated that he could increase his firm's profits considerably by firing the oldest and longest-serving salespeople and replacing them with younger and cheaper employees. The veteran sales force is largely responsible for building the company's market share to its current level, but they are not protected by a contract, and the manager believes that new employees could service their accounts adequately, so that little would be lost. Perhaps some new blood might even improve sales a bit. The manager is wondering whether to make this change.