Essay about Case Analysis: Business Ethics in the Work Place
By
David F. Dudley
Week #1
January 16, 2009
CASE STUDY ASSESSMENT: CHAPTER ONE
Introduction
This document presents my opinions about the cases presented in (Boatright, R.,
John (2003). Ethics and the Conduct of Business. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.)
and articles from (Ambrose, John (2009, January 16). My Own Opinion, The Washington
Case#1.1: Johnson & Johnson: The Tylenol Crisis
This case study was a powerful example to illustrate the presence of ethics within the
business environment today and the impacts they can have on not just shareholder’s
earnings, but on the public as a whole. First, we were presented with a shocking
situation. Seven people had died …show more content…
the addition of coupons to create even more incentive to move their products. When
Toys R Us learned of the sale and not only purchased over one million dollars of this
merchandise from Child World, but redeemed over three hundred sixty-five thousand
dollars worth of coupons, Child World was outraged. What had originally been a ploy
to detract business from their competitors was in fact a costly mistake since Toys R Us
could turn around and sell the purchased merchandise for a profit. Now, I believe in
playing fair. However, when Child World brought Toys R Us to court over this action
and lost, I believe that the courts had acted favorably not only to the law, but within the
guidelines of ethical practice. Child World had made a mistake through poor planning
and foresight. Toys R Us acted on the opportunity to save money and did so within the
confines of the law. Also, if Child World did not want competitors to take advantage of
their promotions, they should have designed them more carefully. This example is in
extreme contrast to the one where Home Depot countered the actions of individual price
gougers in the wake of a terrible South Florida Hurricane named Andrew. Instead of
hiking up prices with a sudden increase in demand for building materials, Home Depot
lowered