Case Study No.

UNIVERSITY OF THE EAST

Caloocan
College of Business Administration
Department of Management and Entrepreneurship

Subject and
Name: Group 5
Section: BSA Date of Submission:
EL02

I. Case Title: A Mir Kiss

II. Time Context:
III. Executive Summary: (at least 5 sentences)
A team of psychologists at Moscow’s Institute for Biomedical Problems (IBMP);
implemented an experiment to learn more about the effects of sustained isolation in
space for the future endeavor to Mars. A crew of four Russian cosmonauts and three
international researchers in which Judith Lapierre is the only female; were selected for
an experiment involving sustained isolation inside a simulated space station. At the
end of the project, there are claims of violence and misbehavior; Lapierre was
unwillingly and aggressively kissed by the Russian commander, creating an
international controversy. With a lack of organizational guide and ineffective
leadership, multiple conflicts arose and escalated resulted in a broken team and a
failed experiment. Conversely, Proper planning and implementation of organizational
structure and procedure might have averted some of the incidents that occurred, thus
saved the project experiment.
IV Introduction: (at least 5 sentences)
To learn more about the dynamics of long-term isolation in space, the Institute
for Biomedical Problems (IBMP) conducted a research in Moscow with a team
comprising three international researchers from Japan, Austria and the only female
participant, Judith Lapierre from Canada and joined with four Russian cosmonauts, to
be isolated for 110 days. None of them speak English as their first language yet they
communicated in English in their own different proficiency throughout their stay.
During New Year’s Eve party, two drunk Russian cosmonauts got into a bloody
fistfight. The Russian commander took the opportunity to grabbed Lapierre and kissed
her aggressively—twice. Lapierre fought him off. The next morning, he tried to kiss her
again. The incidents were reported but the agency took no action, saying that it was
part of the experiment. Due to IBMP’s inaction, the Japanese team member quit and
Russians were isolated from the rest of the participants.
By the end of the experiment, the news about the conflicts had reached the
public but Russian scientists defended that it was only a cultural difference.
V. Statement of the Problem:
The Diversity among the researchers and IBMP's failure to lead resulted to series of
conflicts.

VI. Areas of Consideration: (3 or more for each category)

Strengths
1 The psychologists of Institute for Biomedical Problems in Moscow can conduct a
scientific experiment about long-term isolation in space.
2 Exposure to different cultures and diversifications from all around the world.
3 To be adaptive in different kind of situations.
4 Solidarity among the non-Russian researchers
5 Empathy among non-Russians
Weaknesses
1 The participants are from different countries and none of them speak English as their
first language.
2 The lack of moral sensitivity. Specifically, how the kiss was not taken to as big of a deal
as it really was.
3 The lack of safety guidelines for astronauts and cosmonauts.
4 Russian’s disregard for female rights.
5 No consideration for the safety of other IBMP astronauts
6 No consideration about IBMP's own cosmonauts
Opportunities
1 The result of the experiment they have conducted can be applied to the International
Space Station.
2 The research could make the joint project of several countries of sending people for
more than six months possible.
3 The knowledge they could acquire in this experiment would help them to figure out
about travelling to Mars.
4 The ability to gain more knowledge about learning different ways to communicate.
5 To be able to learn about behavior where there would be no one to solve issues for you.
6 Observing the male and female behaviors put together over a long period of time
Threats
1 There can be cultural differences and language barriers among the participants
2 The issue that happened while conducting the experiment can be a hinder for other
people to participate in this kind of research.
3 Their lack of control with regards to the situation at hand
4 The lack of respect for the female participants
5 The lack of consideration to international researchers since the Russian Nationals are
more favored
6 The possible withdrawal of aid or partnership from other countries
VII. Alternative Courses of Action: (3 solutions or more; and 3 or more advantages and
disadvantages)
Solution 1
Establish a committee in an experiment performed by Russia
Advantages of Solution 1
1 Pooling of opinions
2 To improve cooperation among countries involved.
3 To have an open communication towards common goal.
Disadvantages of Solution 1
1 The amount of time required and the cost to be incurred.
2 The possible strain on interpersonal relationships.
3 The lack of effectiveness
Solution 2
Conduct a physical, emotional, psychological, and mental check-up para ma
determine if there are capable enough to be part of the said mission.
Advantages of Solution 2
1 The participants would be well prepared to conduct the experiment.
2 They would be adequately informed about the potential problems they may encounter.
3 Once the participants have been consulted, they will understand how to deal with the
various dilemmas that can occur.
Disadvantages of Solution 2
1 After necessary consultations, it will yield to result that some participants may not yet
be ready enough to be part of it.
2 The outcome of the evaluation cannot be accurate if the consultants are not expert.
3 The need for additional budget consultation.
Solution 3
Participants who will join the experiment should be well-oriented and well-
trained.
Advantages of Solution 3
1 They can have the opportunity to improve their communication skills.
2 It can be a way for the participants to be educated about the cultures and social taboos
of others
3 Training helps to increase the safety and security
4 Well-trained participants can be trusted to work independently
Disadvantages of Solution 3
1 Additional time needed to allow for training and orientation.
2 Budget for training and orientation is necessary.
3 The training may be performed poorly that will result in poor quality outcome for the
participants.
 VIII. Recommendations and Conclusion: (at least 5 sentences)
In conclusion, the best solution to the problem is the first alternative course of action
which is to create a committee in the experiment conducted by Russia. This
committee would be composed of several countries that are connected to the
participants of the long-term isolation project. During the experiment people involved
in the incidents are Russians wherein, the ones who hosted the long isolation project
are also Russians. Having a committee will prevent prejudice to the participants in
the experiment. The committee will be the one who will set guidelines to ensure that
the goals of the project are met while making sure that all participants act within the
rules.

IX. Plan of Action: (3 or more)

Planning phase
1. Do research regarding the experiment to ensure the steps needed to be taken
2. Conduct a thorough examination of the members who will take part in the experiment
3. Make sure that there will be a bond among members and they will go through cultural
sensitivity training
4. Before the experiment will start, create a committee that will set guidelines and policies
Implementation phase
1. All cameras should be always secured and should be strictly monitored
2. No one should interfere with the participants while the experiment is on-going
3. The participants of the experiment shall act within the set guidelines and policies
Controlling phase
1. If a conflict arises, the committee should conduct a meeting to fix issues and problem
2. Evaluate the behavior of the participants and if it doesn't meet the requirements, the
committee should disqualify

Potential Problem and Contingency Plan:

1. What if di the committee gets into a disagreement?
If ever the committee gets into a disagreement, they should do voting and the majority
wins
2. What if the project would incur higher costs if they would hire committee from different
parts of the world
The committee shall only be composed of people from participating countries to prevent
unnecessary costs of hiring people with no connected interest in the project
IX. References:
1 Myatt, 2012).5 Keys of Dealing with Workplace Conflict. Retrieve from:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/mikemyatt/2012/02/22/5-keys-to-dealing-with-
workplaceconflict/?sh=611d0a651e95
2 (Anonymous,2012). A Mir Kiss Case Study Researchomatic. Retrieved from:
https://www.researchomatic.com/A-Mir-Kiss-Case-Study-110707.html
3 Anonuevo, J. (2020, January 21). SFU case Study 2. Retrieved from
https://prezi.com/lh0a6yef9_oy/sfu-case-
study2/?frame=3ad52a098d304c5adb123d94c9b4ebd198b52b18
4 Jana, T. (2017). The Pros & Cons of Cultural Diversity. Retrieved from
https://tiffanyjana.medium.com/the-pros-consof-cultural-diversity-910767c1ef61
5 Procope, C. (2014) A Mir Kiss. Retrieved from
https://www.scribd.com/document/215131840/A-MIRR-KISS-CoreneProcope-Case-
Analysis
6 Pelin, A. (2017). A Mir Kiss. Retrieved from https://www.studocu.com/en-
ca/document/simon-fraseruniversity/organization-theory/mandatory-assignments/a-mir-
kiss-a-mir-kiss-assignment/2864948/view