Alexander Gavin's Dilemma
Alexander Gavin’s Dilemma: Cultural Relativism and Business as Usual
I. Viewpoint
The viewpoint I am taking will be the writer of the letter himself, Alexander Gavin, since the matter at hand is a delicate one and Mr. Gavin is just asking the professor for his thoughts on the matter at hand.
II. Statement of the Problem
The central problem of the case is if Mr. Gavin should accept the deal which includes his cut or to find another way for the project to push through without involving himself.
III. Objectives
To be able to push through with the project and close the deal no matter what since this opportunity is highly profitable to the company.
IV. Areas of Consideration
a. Alexander Gavin and his direct boss, the Senior VP for urban projects, are both Americans.
b. The construction company they are working for deals with major projects in the Middle East.
c. The project with Ajax, Ltd. is highly profitable to their company.
d. Pay-offs are common in the Middle East.
V. Alternative Courses of Action
From Alexander Gavin’s point of view, there are four courses of action he could take:
a. He can forward this dilemma to his superiors and wait for their decision.
b. He can stick with his ethics and reject the proposal then wait for the consequences.
c. He can contact the other managers of Ajax, Ltd. and inform them of the corruption and also to take legal action against the manager who offered the deal to him.
d. He can disregard his ethics and accept the offer given by the manager of Ajax, Ltd.
VI. Conclusion and Recommendation
The best solution for this ethical dilemma would be the fourth course of action for Alexander Gavin. As a Senior Product Manager of a prestigious construction company based on Kuwait, he must put the company’s interests first before his personal reasons. Also, considering that pay-offs are quite common in the Middle East, a 3 million increase from their initial bid is only a small fraction to the
I. Viewpoint
The viewpoint I am taking will be the writer of the letter himself, Alexander Gavin, since the matter at hand is a delicate one and Mr. Gavin is just asking the professor for his thoughts on the matter at hand.
II. Statement of the Problem
The central problem of the case is if Mr. Gavin should accept the deal which includes his cut or to find another way for the project to push through without involving himself.
III. Objectives
To be able to push through with the project and close the deal no matter what since this opportunity is highly profitable to the company.
IV. Areas of Consideration
a. Alexander Gavin and his direct boss, the Senior VP for urban projects, are both Americans.
b. The construction company they are working for deals with major projects in the Middle East.
c. The project with Ajax, Ltd. is highly profitable to their company.
d. Pay-offs are common in the Middle East.
V. Alternative Courses of Action
From Alexander Gavin’s point of view, there are four courses of action he could take:
a. He can forward this dilemma to his superiors and wait for their decision.
b. He can stick with his ethics and reject the proposal then wait for the consequences.
c. He can contact the other managers of Ajax, Ltd. and inform them of the corruption and also to take legal action against the manager who offered the deal to him.
d. He can disregard his ethics and accept the offer given by the manager of Ajax, Ltd.
VI. Conclusion and Recommendation
The best solution for this ethical dilemma would be the fourth course of action for Alexander Gavin. As a Senior Product Manager of a prestigious construction company based on Kuwait, he must put the company’s interests first before his personal reasons. Also, considering that pay-offs are quite common in the Middle East, a 3 million increase from their initial bid is only a small fraction to the