Case Study
A Case Study Analysis: A Question of Loyalty
Introduction
This case study analysis describes Sam Adams dilemma, whether or not to give a favorable recommendation to the board of directors for his friend and former colleague Bud Wizer. Sam was told by corporate that Bud listed him as a personal and professional reference on his job application. This triggered emotional turmoil in Sam because his friend was allegedly fired for sexual harassment from his last position. Sam’s values and moral standards will be tested during this analysis. Will Sam be loyal to his friend and say yes, or will he be loyal to his company and tell what he thinks he knows? I will use Professor Badaracco framework, questions and test to analyze Sam’s dilemma and provide recommendations for what he may say to the board of directors. I will start by using question number one from Badaracco’s framework, which way of proceeding will get me the best net-net consequences? In this first step we are asked to explore the pros and cons of Sam’s ethical dilemma to determine who will win, who will lose and at what cost. As I create my list I see that the risks are significant. If Sam decides to tell corporate about the alleged Sexual Harassment information about Bud and the information is not true or proven, corporate may view Sam in a negative light. If he does not tell corporate and they find out later that he knew his reputation could be tarnished and the level of trust that corporate has for him now will decrease. If Bud is not given an opportunity to work it will have an effect on him and his family. The benefits could also be significant, if Bud is hired, the corporation could gain an outstanding employee, and Sam would have helped his friend get a job and even perhaps a bonus. It appears that the greatest benefits and least harm would be if Sam did not say anything. Sam does not know for sure if the act was committed and Bud said the victim came to apologize and she did not feel
Introduction
This case study analysis describes Sam Adams dilemma, whether or not to give a favorable recommendation to the board of directors for his friend and former colleague Bud Wizer. Sam was told by corporate that Bud listed him as a personal and professional reference on his job application. This triggered emotional turmoil in Sam because his friend was allegedly fired for sexual harassment from his last position. Sam’s values and moral standards will be tested during this analysis. Will Sam be loyal to his friend and say yes, or will he be loyal to his company and tell what he thinks he knows? I will use Professor Badaracco framework, questions and test to analyze Sam’s dilemma and provide recommendations for what he may say to the board of directors. I will start by using question number one from Badaracco’s framework, which way of proceeding will get me the best net-net consequences? In this first step we are asked to explore the pros and cons of Sam’s ethical dilemma to determine who will win, who will lose and at what cost. As I create my list I see that the risks are significant. If Sam decides to tell corporate about the alleged Sexual Harassment information about Bud and the information is not true or proven, corporate may view Sam in a negative light. If he does not tell corporate and they find out later that he knew his reputation could be tarnished and the level of trust that corporate has for him now will decrease. If Bud is not given an opportunity to work it will have an effect on him and his family. The benefits could also be significant, if Bud is hired, the corporation could gain an outstanding employee, and Sam would have helped his friend get a job and even perhaps a bonus. It appears that the greatest benefits and least harm would be if Sam did not say anything. Sam does not know for sure if the act was committed and Bud said the victim came to apologize and she did not feel