Note:  You may complete the Module 5 Case and SLP in any order you prefer.

Required:

Please read the following articles related to Enron:

Madsen, S. & Vance, C. (2009). Unlearned lessons from the past: an insider's view of Enron's downfall. Corporate Governance, 9(2), 216-227. Retrieved August 27, 2011, from: http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?index=1&did=1882661041&SrchMode=1&sid=2&Fmt=3&VInst=PROD&VType=PQD&RQT=309&VName=PQD&TS=1314458740&clientId=29440 

Free, C., Macintosh, N., & Stein, M.. (2007). Management Controls: The Organizational Fraud Triangle of Leadership, Culture and Control in Enron. Ivey Business Journal Online. Retrieved August 27, 2011 from: http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?index=4&did=1399135231&SrchMode=1&sid=2&Fmt=3&VInst=PROD&VType=PQD&RQT=309&VName=PQD&TS=1314458740&clientId=29440

In a 5-7 page essay, answer the following questions:

1) Critically evaluate this case in the context of the organization’s culture. How were Enron's business ethics and business operations influenced by the organization’s culture? Specifically, what went wrong?

2) What should have been the role and responsibility of company leadership (the Board of Directors, the CEO Ken Lay and others) in such an issue? In what ways did key executive players (e.g., Lay, Skilling, and Fastow) work to negatively reshape the culture, and with what adverse consequences?

3) How might Human Resource Management (HRM) have played a central role in setting the "moral compass" at Enron, helping to form and shape the organizational culture - perhaps avoiding the Enron debacle?

Optional Reading:

An excellent article on Enron's culture as well, the following may also be useful to you in your analysis of the Case:

Sims, R.R. & Brinkmann. J. (2003). Enron ethics (or: Culture matters more than codes). Journal of Business Ethics, 45(3), 243-256. Retrieved August 27, 2011, from: http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?index=6&did=405520461&SrchMode=1&sid=2&Fmt=3&VInst=PROD&VType=PQD&RQT=309&VName=PQD&TS=1314458740&clientId=29440

I highly recommend the movie Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room. You may be able to view parts of the movie on YouTube. Following is the movie trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zMakN-EMLg

Expectations:

1) For this final Case essay, you are expected to do some additional research in the library (use at least 4 additional scholarly sources).

2) Be sure that you cite all sources – using APA style – properly, and that you use appropriate in-text citations.

3) Remember to follow the Well-Written Paper guidelines. To this extent, this Case will be evaluated using the following criteria:

• Precision - Does the paper address the question(s) or task(s) in full?
• Depth - Does the paper address all elements of the topic in sufficient depth? Does it include and apply the background readings and other background resources?
• Critical thinking – Are the concepts of this module applied accurately, logically, and relevantly?
• Organization - Is the paper organized in a coherent and systematic manner? Are headings included as required?
• Clarity - Is the writing clear and the concepts articulated properly? Are paraphrasing and synthesis of concepts the primary means of response to the questions, or are thoughts conveyed through excessive use of quotations?
• Referencing (citations and references) - Does the paper use citations and quotation marks where appropriate? Are all references listed in the bibliography used and referred to via citation?