...Pinto Fires and Personal Ethics: A Script Analysis of Missed Opportunities Dennis A. Cioia ABSTRACT. This article details the personal involvement of the author in the early stages of the infamous Pinto fire case. The paper first presents an insider account of the context and decision environment within which he failed to initiate an early recall of defective vehicles. A cognitive script analysis of the personal experience is then offered as an explanation of factors that led to a decision that now is commonly seen as a definitive study in unethical corporate behavior. IThe main analytical thesis is that script schemas that were guiding cognition and action at the time pre.cluded consideration of issues in ethical terms because the scripts did not include ethical dimensions. In the summer of 1972 I made one of those important tran.sitions in life, the significance of vifhich becomes obvious only in retrospect. I left academe with a BS in Engineering Science and an MBA to enter the world of big business. I joined Ford Motor Company at World Headquarters in Dearborn Michigan, fulfilling a long-standing dream to work in the heart of the auto industry. I felt confident that I was in the right place at the right time to make a Dennis A. Gioia is Associate Professor of Organizational Behavior in the Department of Management and Organization, The Smeal College ofBusiness Administration, Pennsylvania State University. Professor Cioia's primary research and writing focus of...
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...Small Places Can Change the World The Role of Information Technology in Small and Medium Sized Enterprises in Kosova Dr. Mihane Berisha-Namani1 Abstract Information technology had a great impact in all aspects of life and the global economy is currently undergoing fundamental transformation. Information technology has very real impact in most of industries and in all aspects of economy, while businesses and enterprises continue to undergo considerable changes. Usage of these technologies is revolutionizing the rules of business, resulting in structural transformation of enterprises. Modern businesses are not possible without help of information technology, which is having a significant impact on the operations of Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SME) and it is claimed to be essential for the survival and growth of economies in general. SME is drawing attention in developed and developing countries as well as in transition countries. It is generally recognized that SME play a key role in the revitalization and development of national economy in many countries and particular in the context of Kosova. It is encouraging the development of SME and the role that SME sector can play in promoting economic and social development by creating opportunities for employment. These components are described and discussed while more research and studies on the adoption of information technology in SME in Kosova are proposed as necessary. Key words: Information technology, Small and Medium...
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...THUNDERBIRD THE GARVIN SCHOO L OF INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT A07 -05 -00 15 KISHORE DASH McDoNALD's IN INDIA I do not see any thing wrong with McDonald\ doing business in India. A/fer all, if ts not McDonaldization that we know of 11 is a Big MaCcommodatw n. A Senior Bureaucrat in New Delhi In October 1996, McDonald's opened irs ttrst Indian ourlec in Vasant Vihar, a n affluent residential colony in India's capital, New Delhi. As of November 2004 , McDonald 's has opened a total of 58 restaura nts, mostl y in the northern a nd western parr of India (Exhibit 1). 1 While McDonald 's opened 34 restaura nts in five years (by 2001 ), 58 restaurants in eight yea rs (by 2004), it is now pla nning to add more than 90 new restaurants in the next three years. 2 Although the initial scenes of crowds lining up for days outside the M cDonald 's res taurants in Delhi and Mumbai are no longer seen, Indian consumer response to McDonald's products still remains very strong. The ten McDonald's I visited in Mumbai and Delhi were pac ked with young people, children , and yo ung p a renrs enjoying ice c reams, sp icy potato wedges (instead of the usual frenc h fries), and Happy M ea ls. The growth of M cDonald's in India is not as rapid as in China (Exhibit 4) . Bur irs growth is nevertheless impressive . How did McDo nald's d o it? How d id a hamburger cha in becom e so promi nent in a cultural z.one dominated by non-beef, non-pork, vegetarian, and regional foods such as chofa bhatura...
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