Case Teaching Package

A case teaching package is available for this case. It includes strategies for case presentation, 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 6 pages in length, and its case teaching package is 4 pages.

Abstract

In this case, a well-respected and successful president of a beer distributing company is tempted to violate a state law that allows grocery stores to sell only 3.2 percent beer. The desire to gain future business with an important food retailer, the time pressure of a holiday weekend, and the weakening financial situation of his company contribute to Paul Murray's decision to misrepresent the alcohol content of several hundred cases of beer.

This case can be used to discuss ethical decision making; pressures to compromise with personal, professional, and legal standards; factors that affect decision making; justification and motivation as it relates to whistle-blowing; as well as responsibility and forgiveness in one's business and personal communities.

Study Questions

1. What options or alternative courses of action does Paul Murray have?
2. What is the potential harm of Murray stamping the strong beer as 3.2 beer?
3. How might normative decision-making frameworks be applied to the situation?
4. What were Collins's motives for blowing the whistle?
5. Was Collins justified in blowing the whistle?
6. Did others (family, business associates, friends, community members) have the responsibility to forgive and do more to help Murray regain his balance?

The downloadable file for this case is in Microsoft® Word 7.0 for Windows®.

If you do not have Microsoft Word, you can download the free Microsoft® Word Viewer 97 right here:   For Windows 3.x   For Windows 95

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