Does This Milkshake Taste Funny?

copyright 1998
ISBN 0-324-03050-9

Case Teaching Package
A case teaching package is available for this case. It includes strategies for case presentation, key concepts, solutions to the assignment questions in the case, and suggestions for the most effective ways to work this case into your course.

Length
This case is 4 pages in length and its case teaching package is 8 pages.

Abstract

George Stein, a college student employed for the summer by Eastern Dairy, must decide if he is going to remove the filters from the plant's piping and, thus, allow the current production run of milkshake mix to be contaminated with maggots. This course of action will save the company money, at least in the short run, and allow George's shift to go home on time. George is disturbed, however, by the thought of children drinking those milkshakes. The workforce is unionized, and no members of management work the night shift with George.

The purpose of this case is to provide students with the opportunity to make a decision involving an ethical dilemma. A student can compare his or her own decision-making process with others in the class and discuss how differences in individual values and perceptions can affect this process. Additionally, depending on the objectives of the instructor, the case can be used to teach concepts often presented in business ethics, including Kohlberg's stages of moral development and different moral philosophies. The influence of other factors on ethical decision making such as the influence of co-workers and corporate culture can also be explored.

The case is appropriate for courses in principles of management, organizational behavior, and business ethics, especially at the undergraduate level.

Study Questions

1. What should George do?
2. What factors will influence George's decision?