As a relatively junior employee at a U.S. company that developed and sold robots for government use in areas such as defense, rescue, and security, Dan felt lucky to be chosen to go abroad. Dan’s company had been invited to demonstrate their robots in response to a Request for Proposal (RFP) issued by the government of this country. The government wanted to purchase robots to help increase the productivity of their defense sector, where approximately 40% of their citizens were employed.

Dan was having a great time on his day off. He went exploring a large marketplace in the capital city of a foreign country. The market was filled with open-air stalls containing a variety of goods, many he had never seen before…exotic spices, fruits, leather goods, electronics, watches, and many other things.

A shop offering software caught Dan’s eye, and he wandered in to see what was available. An English-speaking employee struck up a conversation, asking what software interested him. Dan asked if they sold SASS Enterprise Surveyor Data Mining software. Dan’s department believed that this software was an important tool for identifying potential cost savings for their company’s customers. His department had attempted to purchase the software, but because of the high cost, top management had not approved the purchase. “This should be interesting,” Dan thought, knowing that the initial cost of the software ran over $100,000, plus an additional $35,000 annual maintenance fee.

Dan waited while the employee conferred with a colleague, spent a couple of minutes working on a computer, and looked up some figures in a loose-leaf binder. He, returned to Dan and said, “Yes, we have it, full version, unrestricted use, $500.” Dan was shocked, thinking that this could not possibly be right.

Due to the low cost, Dan suspected this was a pirated copy that may be unlicensed or unauthorized. He questioned the employee, attempting to verify this was the SASS software his company wanted at the full price with no maintenance fee. The employee told him, “Yes, not a problem. You can see it run.” Dan went back to a computer terminal and accessed the software; it appeared to be a fully functional version of the software. Dan told the employee he needed to think about the purchase and left the shop, heading back to the hotel with a lot on his mind.

That night, Dan called his Department Manager and explained his experience. She exclaimed, “Wow, I didn’t think pirated software would be so openly available. Go ahead and buy it!” Dan protested; he said there had to be something wrong, the price was just too good to be true. His boss responded, “Go ahead and buy it. We will reimburse you from department funds when you get back. I’m really looking forward to getting that software to help our clients.”

1. What are the ethical issues in this case?

a.

b.

c.

d.

2. What different ethical perspectives exist? For each relevant stakeholder, identify and explain their perspective.

1. Dan:

2. Dan’s Boss:

3. Dan’s Company:

4. Clients of Dan’s Company:

3. What options does Dan have? Describe and analyze solutions to the problem. List the strengths and weaknesses of each.

1. Solution 1 Description:

Strengths:

Weaknesses:

2. Solution 2 Description:

Strengths:

Weaknesses:

3. Solution 3 Description:

Strengths:

Weaknesses:

4. Solution 4 Description:

Strengths:

Weaknesses:

4. Recommend a plan of action for Dan.

A. Decide which solution from those you listed above you would recommend and list that here:

B. Support your recommendation. Why did you choose this one?

5. Reflect on your personal ethics and describe your ethical rationale for recommending this solution.