Ford’s Pinto Fires
THE RETROSPECTIVE VIEW OF FORD’S
FIELD RECALL COORDINATOR
FORD'S PINTO FIRES
1971 : Introduced of subcompat
Pinto
Design restriction weigh no more
than 2000 lb and cost no more than
$2000
During 10 year life of Pinto, 2 million
units were sold
Ford’s field recall coordinator :
Dennis A. Gioia
STAKEHOLDER
ANALYSIS DUE TO LOSS
Surrfaced not too long of
entrance to the market
Led to criminal prosecution of
Ford Motor Company
Production of Pinto descend
"IF YOU HAD BEEN
IN DENNIS GIOIA'S
POSITION, I
WOULD...."
Be responsible to the mistaken action
For instance, held up responsibilities of the
operational coordination of all current recall
campaigns, tracking incoming information
and reviewing filed reports of alleged
components failure
Embraced the beliefs and rule to stand
the right and justice in any business
Be courageous in any circumstances
especially matters due to the
responsibilities roles
"Wanting to do a good job and wanting to do what is right are not mutually
exclusive desires."
NEGLECTING ROLES
REASONS:
The foibles (weakness) of normal human information
processing as feasible explanation
The complexity and intensity of job required to develop
cognitive strategies
The limitation of overwhelming information which they
had to confront
Intimidated into making best decisions in the best
interest to the company (Utilitarianism)
RESOLVED BY:
The essential and foundation regarding ethical values
need to be strongly built
Ask directly to ourselves - "Is this the right thing to do and
should the action be taken?"
Have stronger value thus people won't take for granted
INFLUENCE ORGANIZATIONAL
CONTEXT
Individuals working within corporate context - affecting
their synthesis
Socialization process and the overriding influence of
organizational culture
EXAMPLE: The plagiarim issue in university
KEY DECISION-MAKING
LESSONS
People should People should be aware their
consciously know job roles and the influence of
their values organizational culture
People should People should prepared to
recognize the cues that face critical responsibility
build a "NOW THINK!"