Topic: Case Study
7. Suppose you are the CEO of a company that manufactures specialized electronic equipment used by a government department. You have submitted your bid for the supply of this equipment to the department. Both the quality and cost of your offer are better than those of the competitors. Yet the concerned officer is demanding a hefty bribe for approving the tender Getting the order is important both for you and your company. Not getting the order would mean closing a production line. It may also affect your own career. However, as a value-conscious person, You do not want to give bribe. Valid arguments can be advanced both for giving the bribe and getting the order, and for refusing to pay the bribe and risking the loss of the order. What those arguments could be, Could there be any better way to get out of this dilemma? If so, outline the main elements of this third way, pointing out its merits. (250 Words) (20 M) (UPSC 2014)
Difficulty level: Moderate
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Start by giving the context. Bring out the key stakeholders in the above case study and major ethical dilemmas present.
Body:
In the body, give valid arguments for the both the above mentioned courses of action to pay bribe and get order and not to pay bribe and lose the order. Analyse both the courses of action ethically.
Next, mention the third way of action to resolve this ethical dilemma without compromising your morals. Evaluate the merits and demerits of such a course of action.
Conclusion:
Follow this up with ethical reasoning and justify.
