Carson Smith is an employee of a small family-owned manufacturing plant located in his hometown of Malone, Mississippi. One day, while waiting to see someone at a competitor's business, he noticed a memo tacked to a bulletin board and read it. The memo described a forthcoming promotional campaign and details of a new pricing strategy. Upon leaving the plant, Smith returned to his office and informed management of the details of the memo.

Question 1   Is this a legitimate form of marketing research? Why or why not?

Question 2   Do you consider Smith's behavior to constitute spying?

Question 3   What would you have done in his situation?