The Expiring Software License

Case Summary:

This case describes relatively common type of circumstance, where a manager knowingly violates company policy for a noble purpose. In this situation, the manager evades a limit placed on his purchasing card. If he did not violate the policy, an important software package whose license had expired would be shut down, causing a significant disruption. Such situations, which occur in many different forms, are caused by poor, often obsolete, behavioral restrictions.

Case Questions:

1. Did Jimmy Wu act in an ethical manner in using his purchasing card to renew theCitrixsoftware license? Why or why not?
2. What preventative measures could have been taken by executives to avoid the problem.