Even if your answer differs from the given multiple choices, I'm curious what you think. I always thought I was pretty ethical in my business practices, but after discussing this case study with fellow classmates, I'm questioning myself.You are a buyer for your company. A supplier offers his company's Superbowl (or some other really great event) box seats to you and your supervisor . Your supervisor accepts the ticket. What do you do?
- (a) You tell your supervisor that you'll meet him at the Superbowl.
- (b) You tell your supervisor that you feel uncomfortable receiving such a valuable gift from a supplier and decline the offer.
- (c) You tell the supplier that you feel uncomfortable receiving such a valuable gift from a supplier and decline the offer.
- (d) You ask your supervisor how you can reimburse the supplier for the Superbowl ticket.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Business Ethics: What Would You Do?
I attended my first Business Ethics class last night. The professor presented a case study, which stemmed into a lot of discussion. I'm curious what others think.
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7 comments:
I think it depends on the industry and company policy for accepting gifts. For some industries, this is all a part of doing business (sales, banking, cable, etc.) Also, I think it depends on message behind the gift. Is the person giving the gift trying to get special favors?
I agree with the above comment. If it were me, I would thank the supplier, but decline the offer. But if he kept insisted and I knew this person wasn't trying to use it as leverage, then I'd probably take the tickets.
The problem with this thinking though is, even if the person never intended it to be used as leverage, you will always feel like you owe that supplier something and try to accomodate them as best as possible.
Mm, I think it depends. A lot of business relationships are built upon special gifts or goodwill gestures. If it's a supplier that my company intends on having a long-term relationship with, I'd say "thank you" and happily accept their gift. If my company does not intend to built a substantial, long-term relationship with the supplier (i.e. supplier feels entitled to something in return), then I'd decline the gift.
What? No fun blog about Joaquin yet?
I would ask for the ticket, and then scalp the ticket to the highest bidder on game night! :P
Next day, claim someone stole the ticket.
Jesse is the epitome of good ethics!
I would be that next highest bidder who "stole" the ticket. =P
First thing that came to my mind was...WWJD?
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