IS_578_901

Asif Shaikh
Case 1 04/05/2017
Martha McCaskey Case Analysis

Case background

Martha McCaskey has been given a project to lead on the Silicon 6 project. Maratha currently works
at a

Seleris in the Industrial Analysis Division. She is working for the company more than a year and is
right now at the critical point of her career to progress in the company. She currently assigned to the
highly confidential case as a leader where the client wishes to obtain information about the target
company’s cost structure and manufacturing technologies of a new chip. Her supervisors have given
her an assurance of a promotion on completion of the project. McCaskey, however, is stuck in a
Delima of how to complete the project without compromising on her business ethical values.

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According to the case, factual information laid out which weigh the qualitative and

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quantitative evidence to support the situation in the company for getting the Project

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completed at any cost.

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1. There are 11 professionals working under IAD (Industrial Analysis Division) in two group of
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senior associates and two managers. This situation creates a professional conflict between
two managers to make the structure of IAD more of Informal.
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2. Currently, the work culture at the consulting firm is not great due to the over workload and
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performance expectation. As per the information from the case regarding low bonuses given
compare to last year, so that turnover was quite high this year. This evidence is sufficient to
support the fact that work culture at Seleris consulting firm is competitive, and there is a level
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of discomfort in between the team members who are having questions about leader motives
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and actions.

Basic Issues linked with the case that are aligning the facts to one or more Issues
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1. Silicon 6 was one of the oldest clients of the consulting firm, and IAD is associated with the
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client on a various project. It was prominent that Seleris primary goal is to maximize the
business with Client in a long run while balancing the ethical concern arising from its work
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culture.
2. Silicon 6 seem to be crucial project wherein client was ready to account a 20% division
revenue before which Seleris to provide them detailed information about manufacturing
process and cost associated with the new computer chip which is produced by one of the
competitors and not giving any attention on how will the firm get the information.

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 IS_578_901
Asif Shaikh
Case 1 04/05/2017
3. Maratha McCaskey current state of confusion and uncertainty to lead such project had
aggravated to the fact that she doesn’t know how to handle (Lack of experience)such
unethical approach of the company towards getting the information.
4. The ethical Delima, in this case, relies on the fact that should Martha whether or not she
should complete the silicon six project by taking into consideration of her moral values and
her decision to perform her duties within the business ethical practices.
5. Martha is personally taking an interview of ex-employee named Devon of the competitor
company who left the company 12 years back who is also free of a non-compete clause.
Martha is claiming that she represent an international concern about building a
semiconductor manufacturing plant in the United States will put her career on a stake if this
fake identity is revealed.

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Planning strategies for identifying a possible solution to get the project completed.

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1. Arranging an interview with Devon with the help of an experienced consultant to gather

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more precise information.
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2. Analyze the information carefully gathered from the interview.
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3. Discussing interview question with legal counsel on how to proceed further with getting
the Information.
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Possible Solutions
1. Requesting Kauffman to conduct second interviewing is better than Martha conducting
the second interview. Because Kauffman has more experience and is more comfortable
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to talk to Devon.
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Pros: Devon would not suspect the Martha intent, and she can still get the necessary
information.
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Martha will still complete the project, and receive the promotion without comprising on
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her ethical values.

2. Martha should identify a person to whom she trust the most in the company and should
be senior to her who can mentor her throughout the project.
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Pros: Sharing the insights about the project with the mentor will eventually help Martha
to figure out about how to work on the task.
If she has a mentor to guide her, show her how the things are done then she can easily
adapt the work culture without compromising on her ethical values.
3. Martha should be given more powers to have held on the processes to change as per her
needs and abilities.
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 IS_578_901
Asif Shaikh
Case 1 04/05/2017
Pros: This will help her to take command of the decision-making body and also can
oppose to the view that the process is pressuring her to do.
Being a leader of the project will leverage some powers to martha that will help her to
find a different approach to fit her preference and that of the company.
4. Ask Devon to provide several alternatives, including the one used by the competitor’s
plant.
Pros: Just paying more to Devon will help Martha to get the necessary information.
Successful completion of the project can raise the fee for the project and also increase the
seleris prospects for new projects in the future.
Cons: Martha has to compromise on her ethical values.
Devon does not have anything on hard copy as information. Paying him more with an

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assumption of getting necessary information is not a worth taking the risk.

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5. Informing the upper management and consider a resignation in regards to the unethical

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approach towards the project, leaving the Silicon 6 project incomplete.

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Pros: Will help her to directly address her concern without putting her career on a stake.
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If the upper management is unaware of the situation will help her to find an alternative
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to deal with this project.
Cons: If the company refuses her concern then, she can be forced to resign
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Even if the company accept her concern, a loss in revenue will follow as the company will
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eventually lose the project.

Leaving the company on bad terms will put Martha in a difficult position to search for
new job.
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Personal Recommendation:
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From all the above possible solution, a combination of the second and third solution will
give an upper hand to Martha to complete this project without getting into trouble.
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1. With the help of mentor, McCaskey can learn about different approaches to deal with
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the situation and understand when things can go wrong.

2. A mentor can work with her to show her different methods to get the information
from Devon without being guilty of it.
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3. Having powers will give a Martha a rational approach towards looking at the process
and change it if necessary that fits clients requirement from her.
4. Empowering the employees should always be encouraged who are working towards
their goals. This contributes to providing an appropriate solution to their problems
and keeps the morale of the group positive about the company.

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