Case Study: Salt Lake City Olympic Fribery Scandal
SUMMARY OF THE CASE
This case study focuses on the bribery scandal surrounding the city selection process for the 2002 Olympics held in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. The student is ask to discuss the merits of the case based on three parameters, ethical behavior, the impact of culture, and the bid process from a broad based business point of view. They are also ask to speculate as to their actions if they were particular individuals associated with the chain of events.
CASE DISCUSSION
Questions 1 & 2 combined
Primary responsibility for the Salt Lake City Olympics bribery scandal should rest with the International Olympic committee. Failure to develop and implement an ethical audit and consistent selection processes for Olympic venues created …show more content…
Finally, SLOC members supported both their organization mission and culture in their actions. As an organization mission they were trusted to win the support of the IOC for Salt Lake City. In contrast the IOC mission of fair sportsmanship should have been to find the best facilities for Olympic athletes and stakeholders at a fair price. By allowing the influence of bribes, stakeholders cannot have faith that the IOC achieved its mission. The IOC holds additional responsibility as the “keeper” of the Olympic brand, identity and sportsman’s code of ethics and honor. When IOC actions were questioned by corporate sponsors delaying payment, the brand of the Olympic Rings was not enhanced. The rings represent a tradition of good sportsmanship, fair play, and teamwork; essential values in athletics. Arlene Gorton, conference chair of Fair Play or Foul Ball, and international symposium directed at sports ethics and held at Brown University, holds the opinion that “sports play a major role in teaching society social values which the nation believes are important. Values taught by sports involving ethics are much more than following the rules”. (Gorton, …show more content…
For any corporation or organization both the situation and culture of the group are critical in evaluating the possibility for unethical behavior. Confidence in both the brand and the integrity of the organization provide additional revenue opportunities and confidence in the service and products. To paraphrase economist Milton Friedman “the only acceptable corporate responsibility is the enhancement of revenues that will allow higher profits back to shareholders, who may then reinvest according to their individual values”. (Arguments from Dead
This case study focuses on the bribery scandal surrounding the city selection process for the 2002 Olympics held in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. The student is ask to discuss the merits of the case based on three parameters, ethical behavior, the impact of culture, and the bid process from a broad based business point of view. They are also ask to speculate as to their actions if they were particular individuals associated with the chain of events.
CASE DISCUSSION
Questions 1 & 2 combined
Primary responsibility for the Salt Lake City Olympics bribery scandal should rest with the International Olympic committee. Failure to develop and implement an ethical audit and consistent selection processes for Olympic venues created …show more content…
Finally, SLOC members supported both their organization mission and culture in their actions. As an organization mission they were trusted to win the support of the IOC for Salt Lake City. In contrast the IOC mission of fair sportsmanship should have been to find the best facilities for Olympic athletes and stakeholders at a fair price. By allowing the influence of bribes, stakeholders cannot have faith that the IOC achieved its mission. The IOC holds additional responsibility as the “keeper” of the Olympic brand, identity and sportsman’s code of ethics and honor. When IOC actions were questioned by corporate sponsors delaying payment, the brand of the Olympic Rings was not enhanced. The rings represent a tradition of good sportsmanship, fair play, and teamwork; essential values in athletics. Arlene Gorton, conference chair of Fair Play or Foul Ball, and international symposium directed at sports ethics and held at Brown University, holds the opinion that “sports play a major role in teaching society social values which the nation believes are important. Values taught by sports involving ethics are much more than following the rules”. (Gorton, …show more content…
For any corporation or organization both the situation and culture of the group are critical in evaluating the possibility for unethical behavior. Confidence in both the brand and the integrity of the organization provide additional revenue opportunities and confidence in the service and products. To paraphrase economist Milton Friedman “the only acceptable corporate responsibility is the enhancement of revenues that will allow higher profits back to shareholders, who may then reinvest according to their individual values”. (Arguments from Dead