Case Study of Bill Gates
MGMT 368 CASE ANALYSIS EXAMPLE C
THE CASE OF BILL GATES
MGMT 368B BUSINESS ETHICS
PROBLEM ISSUE AND IDENTIFICATION
WHAT ARE THE CENTRAL FACTS OF THE CASE?
*William Bill' Gates III, Microsoft Corp Chairman, is the most wealthiest businessman there is (http://www.reviewjournal.com/1vrg_home/1997/Apr-02-Wed-1997/news/5134242.html).
*Microsoft does not pay its workers as well as some competitors do; however, many workers get stock options. As a result, the worth of these stock options makes one in five of Microsoft's workers millionaires.
*Gates earned his money legally and, within the system, ethically. Claims have been made against antitrust violations, but as of 1988, no adverse judgments against Microsoft (DeGeorge, 1999).
WHAT ASSUMPTIONS ARE YOU MAKING ABOUT THESE FACTS?
Everyone is out chasing the American dream from rags to riches but only a few make it. The few that make are heavily scrutinized and envied by the majority. Bill Gates is an exception to the average college drop out. We must all learn to work smarter and not harder.
WHAT IS THE MAJOR OVERRIDING ISSUE IN THE CASE? Is American Capitalism Moral or Immoral?
WHAT MAJOR QUESTION OR ISSUES DOES THIS CASE ADDRESS THAT MERITS STUDY AT THIS POINT IN THE COURSE?
*Is it fair that Bill Gates gets all of the wealth and riches while the majority of citizens live far below the poverty line?
*Are the attacks on Microsoft are immoral?
On May 22, 1998, the Ayn Rand Institute branded the antitrust assault on Microsoft as being immoral and anti-American. The executive director, Michael S. Berliner, stated that "Microsoft and other victims of antitrust prosecution are being punished for the same moral values that have helped make America the beacon of the world: hard work, creativity, achievement. The producers are being punished for their ability and success. Unlike the kings of the past and governments of the present, Microsoft has acquired its wealth, not by
THE CASE OF BILL GATES
MGMT 368B BUSINESS ETHICS
PROBLEM ISSUE AND IDENTIFICATION
WHAT ARE THE CENTRAL FACTS OF THE CASE?
*William Bill' Gates III, Microsoft Corp Chairman, is the most wealthiest businessman there is (http://www.reviewjournal.com/1vrg_home/1997/Apr-02-Wed-1997/news/5134242.html).
*Microsoft does not pay its workers as well as some competitors do; however, many workers get stock options. As a result, the worth of these stock options makes one in five of Microsoft's workers millionaires.
*Gates earned his money legally and, within the system, ethically. Claims have been made against antitrust violations, but as of 1988, no adverse judgments against Microsoft (DeGeorge, 1999).
WHAT ASSUMPTIONS ARE YOU MAKING ABOUT THESE FACTS?
Everyone is out chasing the American dream from rags to riches but only a few make it. The few that make are heavily scrutinized and envied by the majority. Bill Gates is an exception to the average college drop out. We must all learn to work smarter and not harder.
WHAT IS THE MAJOR OVERRIDING ISSUE IN THE CASE? Is American Capitalism Moral or Immoral?
WHAT MAJOR QUESTION OR ISSUES DOES THIS CASE ADDRESS THAT MERITS STUDY AT THIS POINT IN THE COURSE?
*Is it fair that Bill Gates gets all of the wealth and riches while the majority of citizens live far below the poverty line?
*Are the attacks on Microsoft are immoral?
On May 22, 1998, the Ayn Rand Institute branded the antitrust assault on Microsoft as being immoral and anti-American. The executive director, Michael S. Berliner, stated that "Microsoft and other victims of antitrust prosecution are being punished for the same moral values that have helped make America the beacon of the world: hard work, creativity, achievement. The producers are being punished for their ability and success. Unlike the kings of the past and governments of the present, Microsoft has acquired its wealth, not by
References: De George, R.T., 1999. Business ethics fifth edition. Prentice Hall: New Jersey. http://www.reviewjournal.com http://moneycentral.msn.com http://microsoft.aynrand.org http://story.news.yahoo.com