OGL 481 Pro-Seminar I:

PCA-Human Resource Frame Worksheet

Worksheet Objectives:
1. Describe the human resource frame
2. Apply the human resource frame to your personal case situation

Complete the following making sure to support your ideas and cite from the textbook and other
course materials per APA guidelines. After the peer review, you have a chance to update this and
format for your Electronic Portfolio due in Module 6.

1) Briefly restate your situation from Module 1 and your role.

In Module 1, I am situated within the context of the Volkswagen emissions scandal that
emerged in 2015. As a dedicated Volkswagen enthusiast and a passionate lover of cars, I bring a
unique blend of personal connection and automotive expertise to the analysis of this scandal. My
role involves contributing valuable insights, both technical and emotional, to the understanding
of the scandal's complexities.

2) Describe how the human resources of the organization influenced the situation.

The human resources (HR) practices and decisions within Volkswagen played a significant
role in influencing the situation surrounding the emissions scandal. HR policies, culture, and
workforce management all contributed to the conditions that allowed the scandal to unfold.
Firstly, the company's HR practices appeared to prioritize performance targets and financial
goals over ethical considerations and compliance with emissions regulations. Employees,
especially those involved in the engineering and emissions testing processes, may have faced
pressure to meet ambitious targets, leading to a culture where achieving these goals superseded
ethical concerns. Such an emphasis on performance could have inadvertently incentivized
employees to seek shortcuts, like the installation of the "defeat device," to meet these targets,
ultimately contributing to the scandal.

Additionally, the organizational culture within Volkswagen seemingly failed to promote a

strong ethical foundation. HR is responsible for fostering a company culture that aligns with its
values and ethics. In this case, the culture may have failed to prioritize ethical behavior, and it's
possible that employees did not feel comfortable reporting or questioning the use of the "defeat
device." This lack of a whistleblowing culture can allow unethical practices to persist unchecked,
as employees fear retaliation or do not see a clear mechanism for reporting concerns.
Furthermore, HR plays a pivotal role in talent acquisition and retention. If the organization was
not hiring individuals with a strong commitment to ethical behavior and environmental

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responsibility, it may have inadvertently perpetuated a culture where shortcuts and unethical
practices were tolerated. Similarly, if HR practices did not emphasize ethics in training and
development programs, employees might not have received the necessary guidance to navigate
ethical dilemmas effectively.

In essence, the HR practices and culture within Volkswagen played a substantial role in
shaping the environment that allowed the emissions scandal to occur. A focus on performance
over ethics, a lack of emphasis on ethical culture, and potentially inadequate talent management
and development strategies all contributed to the crisis. Understanding these HR-related factors
is crucial for preventing such ethical lapses in the future and fostering a culture of responsibility
and compliance within the organization.

3) Recommend how you would use the human resources for an alternative course of
action regarding your case.

In light of the Volkswagen emissions scandal, I believe that a strategic reconfiguration of the
company's human resources (HR) practices is paramount to prevent such ethical breaches in the
future and to cultivate a culture of ethical responsibility and environmental stewardship. Firstly, I
would advocate for a comprehensive overhaul of HR training and development programs with a
strong focus on ethics and environmental responsibility. These programs should be mandatory
for all employees, from entry-level staff to top executives. They should provide ongoing
education on the ethical implications of actions and decisions, and incorporate real-world case
studies and scenarios related to the automotive industry. By making ethics a central component
of training, we can engrain a culture where ethical behavior is not just a compliance requirement
but a fundamental aspect of our corporate identity. Additionally, HR should ensure that
employees have a clear understanding of reporting mechanisms for ethical concerns, creating a
culture where raising ethical issues is encouraged and safe.

Secondly, I would champion a shift in HR recruitment strategies. Job descriptions and

interview questions should be redesigned to evaluate a candidate's ethical values, history of
ethical decision-making, and commitment to environmental sustainability. HR should actively
seek candidates who align with our organization's ethical and environmental principles, ensuring
that new hires inherently share these values. Furthermore, I would explore partnerships with
educational institutions and organizations that promote ethics and sustainability to create a talent
pipeline with a strong ethical foundation. By recruiting individuals who not only possess the
necessary technical skills but also embody our ethical and environmental ethos, we can
proactively shape the character of our workforce.

In conclusion, if I were leading the charge for HR transformation at Volkswagen, these

actions would be my priority. By instilling ethics at the core of our HR practices, we can create
an organization where ethical behavior is not an exception but the norm, preventing ethical

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breaches like the emissions scandal and reaffirming our commitment to responsible corporate
conduct.

4) Reflect on what you would do or not do differently given what you have learned
about this frame.

Reflecting on the role of human resources (HR) in the Volkswagen emissions scandal and the
recommendations I have proposed, I am reminded of the profound influence HR practices have
on an organization's ethical culture and conduct. In light of this frame, I am more convinced than
ever of the critical need for proactive and comprehensive HR reform within Volkswagen. Firstly,
understanding the vital role of ethics-centric HR training and development, I am steadfast in my
belief that ongoing education and awareness are the linchpins of ethical behavior within an
organization. I would prioritize the integration of real-world case studies and scenarios into our
training programs, offering practical guidance on navigating ethical dilemmas specific to the
automotive industry. Moreover, I would ensure that HR actively communicates the mechanisms
for reporting ethical concerns to all employees, reinforcing that raising ethical issues is not only
welcomed but also safeguarded. This frame has reaffirmed the importance of nurturing a culture
where ethics are a part of daily decision-making, ensuring that our employees are well-equipped
to make ethical choices in the complex landscape of the automotive industry.

In addition, recognizing the significance of recruitment for ethical values, I would intensify
our efforts to attract candidates who inherently embody our ethical and environmental principles.
I would advocate for revamped job descriptions and interview questions that explicitly assess a
candidate's ethical mindset and commitment to sustainability. By partnering with educational
institutions and organizations that promote ethics and sustainability, I would actively seek to
create a talent pipeline infused with a strong ethical foundation. This frame underscores the
notion that the selection of individuals who share our values is not only about filling positions
but about shaping the very character of our organization.

In conclusion, this frame has reinforced my conviction that HR practices are not just
processes but the bedrock upon which a culture of ethics and environmental responsibility is
built. I would zealously implement the recommendations outlined, knowing that they are not just
reactive measures but proactive steps to prevent ethical crises, foster a reputation of
responsibility, and create a sustainable and ethically conscious organization.

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 Reference or References

Atiyeh, C. (2021, November 29). Everything you need to know about the VW diesel-emissions
scandal. Car and Driver. https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a15339250/everything-you-
need-to-know-about-the-vw-diesel-emissions-scandal/

Hotten, R. (2015, December 10). Volkswagen: The Scandal explained. BBC News.
https://www.bbc.com/news/business-34324772