Olympus Corporation (www.olympus-global.com) is a Japan based company that makes digital cameras, accessories and other devices. In April 2011, Michael Woodford was appointed president of the corporation; he was the first non-japanese president of Olympus in the firms history. In July 2011, some of the corporations actions surrounding merger and acquisition activity were called into question by the press. Woodford asked for information about the activity, but was denied access to it. He wrote a series of letters to the press and other parties to establish his own views and actions, and was fired from his position in October 2011.

a) Which characteristics of a professional did Woodard demonstrate?

b) Which school of ethical thought best explains Woodfords actions? The actions of Olympus staff?

c) Suppose you were an olympus employee that Woodford asked for information. Outline a process you would use to decide whether to provide it.