Main Characters:

Lauren Wollen :Group Marketing Director for ARPCO

(Columbus Ohio)
David Abbott :Group Marketing Director for ARPCO
(London UK)
Ralph Jordan :Division Vice President
Charles Lewis 2 candidates for the international
Frank Billings assignment as product manager in London

Topics:
= Laura Wollen·s Ethical Dilemma : Organizational Level (YJW)
: Group/Individual Level (OTC)
= Real case study explaining whether it is ALWAYS wrong to consider
Gender, Race & Ethnicity in a promotion decision ² even if the
´equalµ opportunity might end a manager·s career :(KWS)
= Should Wollen send Lewis to England? : :(Cairil)
ï
 
  
= Legal issues «

 Abbot does not support Lewis based on skin color

 Denying Lewis the promotion based on race may put ARPCO in
legal jeopardy

= On the other hand, based on precedence «

 Black managers found it tough working in the British ARPCO

environment
 Lewis may be unable to adapt to the change and leave the
organization
ï
 

= Both Billings and Lewis are qualified

= Laura has experience working with both

= However «
 Laura thinks that Lewis is the most qualified amongst the two
 Laura is eager to play a role in his professional development
 At the same time, Laura does not want to lose Lewis who is a
star performer in her team
 Also, Lewis does not socialize with his colleagues except at formal
ARPCO events ² Billings is more sociable
 Laura has a personal stake in Lewis·s situation
uï 
uï    
= Six African-American sued Texaco for racial
discrimination.
= Examples of racist incident:
i. Some employees were called ´orangutansµ,
´porch monkeyµ and ´uppityµ.
ii. Supervisors openly discussed their view
that Black are ignorant and incompetent.
= Texaco also uses a secret job-promotion
program, known as the ´high-potential listsµ.
 
 ! ï 
= For Laura, M
  this action «

 Lewis is the most qualified

 Lewis should be given a chance to prove himself, as was given to
Laura upon leading the home workshop division
 Success of Lewis will also boost Laura·s career

= For Laura, 6 6M
 this action «

 Abbot does not support the appointment

 Lewis may not be able to blend in
 Precedent cases with Black managers
 Failure of Lewis will negatively impact Laura·s career
 "
#  ! ! ï 
= For Laura, M
  this action «

 Lewis has second thoughts about accepting the promotion

 Billings is a better fit culture-wise
 Retain top talent in Laura·s team
 Less risky for Laura·s own career as Abbot is openly supportive of
Billings

= For Laura, 6 6M
 this action «

 Admitting that Laura·s own judgment is wrong

 Not promoting Lewis may be seen as racial discrimination
 Non-conformity to company policies of promoting based on ability
u  

Based on points stated in Option 1 and Option 2

Laura should '
 'Lewis for

the promotion