Business

A Competitive Coup in the In-Flight Magazine. When

the manager for market intelligence of AutoCorp, a major

automotive manufacturer, boarded the plane in Chicago,

her mind was on shrinking market share and late product

announcements. As she settled back to enjoy the remains

of a hectic day, she reached for the in-fl ight magazine. It

was jammed into the seat pocket in front of her.

Crammed into this already tiny space was a report with a

competitor’s logo, marked “Confi dential—Restricted Circulation.”

It contained a description of new product announcements

for the next two years. Not only was it intended for a

small circle of senior executives, but it also answered the questions

she had recently proposed to an external research fi rm.

The proposal for the solicited research could be canceled.

Her research budget, already savaged, could be

saved. She was home free, legally and career-wise.

She foresaw only one problem. In the last few months,

AutoCorp’s newly hired ethicist had revised the fi rm’s Business

Conduct Guidelines. They now required company employees

in possession of a competitor’s information to return

it or face dismissal. But it was still a draft and not formally

approved. She had the rest of the fl ight to decide whether to

return the document to the airline or slip it into her briefcase.

a What are the most prudent decisions she can make

about her responsibilities to herself and others?

b What are the implications of those decisions even if there

is no violation of law or regulation?