Principles of Management
Extra Credit
Enron: Ethics, Leadership, Motivation and Culture
Watch the documentary Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room. This documentary is available on Netflix and at the school library on Blackboard in the streaming video tab “Motion Pictures”. Please answer the following questions:
1. Summarize in one paragraph how you would explain Enron’s ethical meltdown.
2. How would you characterize Enron’s culture and what role, and in what way, do you think culture played in the ethical issues at Enron?
And/or
3. How would you describe and characterize the leadership of the two key players at Enron, Skilling and Lay, and what role did that leadership play in the events at Enron?
And/or
4. What role did motivational elements of performance review policy play in the meltdown?
5. Please give three to five specific things that Enron’s CEO could have done to create a healthy and ethical culture.
· What I will be looking for to get full credit is how well you apply the concepts of the course within the body of your answer so be explicit in your application of the course material.
· You will be graded on your knowledge and application of course material to the case, your ability to follow directions, and on the quality of your writing.
· The payoff for completing the extra credit assignment is that I will raise one midterm grade by one letter (approx. 15 points). As this is a significant payoff I expect you to turn in significant work.
· Do NOT give me merely a review of what happened in the film. Work of this kind will not be accepted.
Parameters: 3 full pages minimum
Double-spaced, 12 pt font
No format Gimmicks
Upload to Blackboard in the space provided
Due Date: Thursday, April 13th, 2:00pm
Late papers will not be accepted under ANY circumstances