Name: MALIHA HAQUE

ID: 2125076660
Course: BUS520

ANS TO QUES 1
The synopsis of the case:
The given case revolves around Malcolm Thornton, who worked at an amusement park and was
made in charge of all ride operations after he had graduated as he had been a faithful employee
for long. His new managerial role was a big responsibility for him, as he was also in charge of
signing reports of failures for a thrill ride at his amusement park that drew national publicity.
However, the ride showed signs of trouble and despite failed tests that were not solved, the thrill
ride still opened. Even more so the safety environment at the park operated far below the
standards. As anticipated, the rides caused increasing accidents and injuries which brought
Thornton leadership challenges and legitimate troubles. When people reported Thornton
performed no inspections, no assessments or adjustments to the ride; he even went beyond and
concealed evidence in an attempt to keep the park running. These went on for three seasons up
until the ride caused a grotesque death to a 10-year-old boy whose death was witnessed by many.
Needless to mention, Thornton had been indicted of several charges including manslaughter and
the park was permanently abandoned.

ANS TO QUES 2
As per the case, signal detection went away due to Thornton. He ignored, minimized, and
destroyed warnings and evidence. Operators, health care workers, and other employees
persevered in notifying him about actual and potential ride dangers and failures but he persisted
in blocking signs of trouble consistently.

ANS TO QUES 3
Thornton had lack of accountability as he was the sole monitor and custodian of all accident and
safety records for the thrill ride. As no alternative personnel in the park were designated to
receive information about problems or dangers, he was not answerable to anyone for his actions.
He was also overwhelmed with the responsibilities assigned to him. Thornton was just in his
mid-twenties and his new responsibilities brought three seasons of leadership challenges and
legitimate troubles which consumed his time and attention. Thornton could have overcome both
this situation if he had shared his responsibilities by asking the park’s management to hire more
people and set a clear line of hierarchy as to who is answerable to whom.
Thornton also looked to some of his bosses as role models, and the park started to feel like a
second home to him. In my opinion, he looked up to the wrong people whose only goal was to
keep earning money by keeping the parks running. So, he did whatever he thought was necessary
and committed illicit behaviors. He could have overcome this situation by doing what was right,
instead of concealing information Thornton should have shared his concerns with appropriate
management and take necessary actions.

ANS TO QUES 4
Executives should have been involved by:

 Keeping track of accumulated data, maintenance trends, or patterns of trouble.

 Executives should have ensured that third parties are overseeing park operations that are
detached from park operations.
 Hire Engineers, technicians and maintenance crews to check system safety daily.
 Preventive maintenance programs test and correct any signs of mechanical, electrical or
operational faults of every ride.
 Strategically planned and introduce specific parameters for test result.
 Carry out proper training for employees and ensure transparency and clear
communications.
  Set out clear guidelines about potential dangers to watch for, or the types of
malfunctions that could occur. 
 Change corporate expectations, as mentioned Thornton said priority number 1 is to keep
the park running; for an amusement park where people’s lives are in hand this should
not be an organization’s moto.

ANS TO QUES 5
It is no longer possible to keep organizational crises private due to high-speed internet service
and modern technology. It has become easier to share experiences or spread words quickly and
easily online. Anything or any information could go viral nowadays and cause a stir. For
example: in the given case this crisis could have gone viral simply by sharing a video over the
internet, and this could pose as an imminent threat to the organization. People are also more
aware and conscious in today’s techno-focused environment, which is why, it is no longer
possible to keep organizational cases private.
This exposure affects the role of the corporate executives regarding signal detection and action in
a positive way because executives would be more aware of the consequences that may arise due
to their negligence. As a result, they will take necessary preventative measures to detect signals
and prompt actions to avoid crises.
ANS TO QUES 6
Based on data regarding cross-cultural norms, Asian countries have an organizational structure in
business that are mostly focused on collectivism. From this point of view, Thornton’s culture
values individualism and as such he alone was responsible for all tasks. On other hand, in
cultures such as Asia that value collectivism managers and employees in the top management
tend to delegate authority to other employees and work as a team. This may have led to a proper
hierarchy in the organization and Thornton thus would have been more aware.
The outcomes of Thornton’s actions in Asia would have been similar but more intense. As a
grotesque death of a 10 year old would have caused a stir in media since Asian people are
considered more emotional.