Case 3-1 The Parable of the Sadhu
Case 3-1
The Parable of the Sadhu
The case examines the individual versus corporate ethic.
Ethical Issues:
How does the individual stay true to her values within a corporate ethic? How can one make changes for the better within an organization?
Questions
Consider corporate values and ethics as discussed in Chapter 3 and the ethical reasoning methods discussed in Chapters 1 and 2 in answering the following questions:
1.
Bowen H. McCoy’s friend Stephen is quoted as saying, “I feel that what happened with the sadhu is a good example of the breakdown between the individual and corporate ethic.” Explain what you think Stephen meant by this statement. What is the nature of that breakdown between the individual and corporate ethic as you see it? In the article, Stephen goes on that “No one person was willing to assume ultimate responsibility for the sadhu. Each was willing to do his bit just so long as it was not too inconvenient. When it got to be a bother, everyone just passed the buck to someone else and took off.”
Ask the students if they have ever seen such a situation in their lives? Have the students ever observed student-teams told by the professor for the last team out of the classroom to clean up, turn off lights and lock the door? Yet, when the last team walks out of the classroom, often the instructions are forgotten. Each team may blame other teams for not doing their part. Is it true that individuals tend to lose their responsibility in groups? Is it easier to hide in a group and spread the blame?
2.
In reflecting on his discussion with Stephen about the sadhu McCoy says, “The instant decisions that executives make under pressure reveal the most about personal and corporate character.” Do you think on-the-spot decisions better reflect the character of the decision maker and organization rather than those that might be more thoroughly thought through? Why or why not?
On-the-spot decisions reflect our habits and
The Parable of the Sadhu
The case examines the individual versus corporate ethic.
Ethical Issues:
How does the individual stay true to her values within a corporate ethic? How can one make changes for the better within an organization?
Questions
Consider corporate values and ethics as discussed in Chapter 3 and the ethical reasoning methods discussed in Chapters 1 and 2 in answering the following questions:
1.
Bowen H. McCoy’s friend Stephen is quoted as saying, “I feel that what happened with the sadhu is a good example of the breakdown between the individual and corporate ethic.” Explain what you think Stephen meant by this statement. What is the nature of that breakdown between the individual and corporate ethic as you see it? In the article, Stephen goes on that “No one person was willing to assume ultimate responsibility for the sadhu. Each was willing to do his bit just so long as it was not too inconvenient. When it got to be a bother, everyone just passed the buck to someone else and took off.”
Ask the students if they have ever seen such a situation in their lives? Have the students ever observed student-teams told by the professor for the last team out of the classroom to clean up, turn off lights and lock the door? Yet, when the last team walks out of the classroom, often the instructions are forgotten. Each team may blame other teams for not doing their part. Is it true that individuals tend to lose their responsibility in groups? Is it easier to hide in a group and spread the blame?
2.
In reflecting on his discussion with Stephen about the sadhu McCoy says, “The instant decisions that executives make under pressure reveal the most about personal and corporate character.” Do you think on-the-spot decisions better reflect the character of the decision maker and organization rather than those that might be more thoroughly thought through? Why or why not?
On-the-spot decisions reflect our habits and