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Written Report on Documentary: Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room

For this assignment view the video, ENRON: The Smartest Guys in the Room [1 hr. & 50 min]. Write a critique of the film in 4-5 page double-spaced paper; number the pages. Answer each of the following questions in your essay. The written assessment of Enron is due according to Syllabus. Submit a paper copy in class and also post it on BB website SafeAssign. It is worth 50 points.

1. The date and time I viewed the Enron video is: _________________________

2. Describe the dominant culture of ENRON and the subculture of Enron’s trading group.

3. What did Jeff Skilling say is the only thing that motivates people? Do you agree or disagree?

4. What did ENRON executives mean by “pump and dump”? Do you think this is ethical behavior? Why?

5. What was Arthur Andersen’s role with regards to Enron? Was this a conflict of interest? What could have been done to prevent this?

6. How did Skilling treat Fortune author Bethany McLean when she started asking questions about Enron’s financials? Do you think this was a tactic, and if so, what did he hope to achieve by it?

7. Describe which ethical norms were violated at ENRON. How and why?

8. Do you believe that Enron’ failure is a result of the behavior of “a few bad men”, or a demonstration of the downside of the market system and self-interest? Explain

9. What are the three most important “takeaways” messages you learned from this documentary?

Video Report ENRON 4 Sp ‘16

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