Trident ETH301 Module 2 – Case

Module 2 – Case

ETHICAL DECISION MAKING IN DIFFICULT SITUATIONS
Assignment Overview
Moving Toward an Ethical Workplace

As you can see from your reading for the case assignment
Lockheed Martin has a very interesting history and this history has had an
impact on where the company is today with respect to its existing ethics
program.

Case Assignment
After reading Chapter 2 of the text, please write a 4-5 page
essay that addresses the following:

Lockheed has an interesting history that seemed innocent
enough up until around the 1950s. You’ll note on p. 56 of Terris’ book that the
company began to engage in some questionable sales strategies with other
nations in an effort sell the F-104 Starfighter so as to recoup costs when
their US sales strategy failed.

Describe some of the unorthodox strategies covered by Terris
during this era that made Lockheed become “…a byword for the shady
practices of American multi-national corporations, and a major impetus for new
legislation…”.
On the issue of overseas bribes, Terris asks the questions,
“Who was hurt by the [overseas bribes to secure sales of aircraft]? The
competitors, of course, but what was unethical about beating out the
competition that was playing by the same rules?” (p.59). What do you think
about a situation where underhanded and back door deals are the way the game is
played if everybody is on the same playing field? That is to say, if everybody
is playing by the same shady rules, is it unethical to compete?

In your reading you will note that defense contractors
continued to find themselves in hot water well into the 1970s as a result of
overpricing and additional charges of bribery. In the late 70s Lockheed
established its first code of ethics and later the major defense contractors
came to the table to level the playing field with the Defense Industry
Initiative (DII), by agreeing on a set of ethical principles. This was an
important turning point as was bringing Norman Augustine on board.
Why was the DII so important to the eventual success of
Lockheed Martin’s ethics program?
Discuss Norman Augustine’s and Dilbert’s contribution in
helping Lockheed Martin turn the corner with its ethics program.
Assignment Expectations
Your paper should be 4 to 5 pages, should be double-spaced
and in 12-point type size.

Your paper should have a separate cover page and a separate
reference page. Make sure you cite your sources.

Use APA style, and proofread your paper.

Upload your paper to by the end of the module.