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Allen Khan, an ambitious new marketing employee in the Marketing Department of Corporation X , was recently invited to attend the prestigious national conference for
Allen Khan, an ambitious new marketing employee in the Marketing Department of Corporation X was recently invited to attend the prestigious national conference for marketing professionals. During this conference, all attendees are given the opportunity to network with other marketing professionals from other companies, to set up tables to sell their products, and to attend dinners, happy hours, and other events. The conference spans a full weekend, and is the biggest event for marketing professionals in the country.
Sue, who is a longtime participant at the conference, and a wellrespected and wellknown marketing professional at a prestigious marketing firm, began a conversation with Allen, to welcome him to the organization. Sue and Allen hit it off, and decided to leave the conference to go to the bar and have a few drinks. Sue began putting drinks on her corporate credit card, telling Allen that her company pays for these networking events. As it turns out, Sues company provides a very generous compensation package. Allen became envious of Sues position and the prestigious firm that she works at After all, it is well known that Corporation X has had a lot of financial difficulties as a smaller firm, and is not nearly as wellknown as Sues firm. Nevertheless, Sues firm and Corporation X compete for the business of certain key clientele and, in fact, prior to Allen joining the firm, some of Sues clients left her and instead hired Corporation Xs Marketing Department.
As the night progressed, Sue and Allen became more intoxicated, and the conversation became thornier and intimate. Allen learned that Sue had recently gone through a divorce, and so completely devoted herself to her career to try to avoid thinking about the turmoil of her personal life. She said that all she really has is her work, and that her clients are everything to her. Although Sue did not know it at the time, the Marketing Department at Corporation X was on the verge of retaining several of Sues remaining clients, by offering those clients a deal with Corporation X that would foster their business. Allen, in his slightly drunken state, began to empathize with Sue, and even feel bad that his company was going to take her clients. He tried to ponder a way of helping Sue without hurting his career prospects at Corporation X
Allen moved in closely, hugged Sue, and said to her, Sue I know that our companies are in competition, but we are friends, and I want us to be on the same side. He then explained that he would rather work with Sues firm than with Company X and that if she is willing to hire him, he can give her some information that could help her retain millions of dollars in client revenue. Sues ears perked up and she realized that Company X must be planning something, and so stayed and heard Allen out. Allen went on to say that he has Company Xs strategic marketing plan, and would be willing to share it with her. He would not ask for anything except that when he applies for a job with her firm, that she give him the position. Sue is interested in learning about the strategy, but is not certain that she wants someone like Allen, who is willing to sell out his own company, to be on her team. What should Sue do Answer the following questions to determine what Sue should do:
What is the moral issue? How would you frame the ethical problemdilemma faced by Sue? note: do not address the legal, but just the ethical
Who are the relevant stakeholders with regard to the decision that must be made by Sue?
Name at least two of the ethical theories that could be used to help Sue decide this issue, and explain how each of these two theories works.
Apply one of the two ethical theories that you identified in response to question to the ethical dilemma Sue faces. Consider the ramifications of various actions she might take and decide, based on the application of your chosen theory, what action would be the most ethical.
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