Workplace Case Study Action Plan: the Gift

Running Head: CASE STUDY ACTION PLAN

Workplace Case Study Action Plan: The Gift

Learning Team B

PHL/323 – Ethics in Management

Workplace Case Study Action Plan: The Gift

Introduction

Since ancient times, people recognized different cultural groups by their unique sets of rituals, traditions, and customs. Potential conflicts and misunderstandings could be expected anytime an interaction occurred between these social cultures. Today, globalization enables businesses to extend their markets into new countries with different social and business traditions and customs. With the prospect of the potential growth that new markets offer, businesses face new challenges when dealing with different cultures that could potentially lead to conflicts and misunderstandings especially if people are not prepared to deal adequately with different cultures’ customs and traditions at both the personal and professional levels. The effects of cultural differences on business relationships will be analyzed in the following case study and proposed action plan. As shown in Figure 1 of the Appendix, the case titled The Gift, depicts a common workplace ethical situation involving the exchange of gifts between employees and clients. The following case study analysis will identify all the facts involved with the case and analyze the alternatives. The facts to be identified include the symptoms of the problems, the root problems, unresolved issues, and the roles of key players while the alternatives will be evaluated in order to identify the most valid alternative and make recommendations. The case study analysis will also address the questions posed in the case.

Case Summary

The ethical case study, The Gift, involves a multinational financial firm’s executive’s wife receiving an expensive gift from a Greek shipping magnate following a social appearance to celebrate the successful closure of a business deal. A personalized gift was received from the international client, the...