Leveraging the talent and intelligence of the Mendoza College of Business’s graduate students, these cases explore ethical and communication issues that naturally interest students.
Ancillaries | a (B) case to extend classroom discussion | formal Teaching Note & PowePoint slides
Barnes & Noble, Inc.: Another Executive Departure. Bad Behavior or Bad Management?
On July 3, 2018, bookseller Barnes & Noble released a statement saying that their CEO, Demos Parneros, was terminated, effective immediately, for “violating the company’s policies.” In this abrupt firing, Barnes & Noble did not specify the policies that were violated, but did mention that it was not related to any disagreement with the company regarding its financial performance. Suspicion quickly grew that Parneros was just the latest executive caught up in a #MeToo moment. 15 pp. Case #19-02 (2019)
Facebook, Inc.: Who Is Responsible for Hate Speech?
In July 2018, Mark Zuckerberg landed Facebook at the center of another political firestorm when he appeared to defend users wishing to post content that denied the Holocaust. This case examines Facebook’s rise, its influential role in society, and the potential ramifications of this latest controversy. 7 pp. Case #19-04 (2019)
Nike, Inc.: Believing in Colin Kaepernick, Sacrificing Brand Image?
On September 4, 2018, Nike, Inc. launched a new ad campaign featuring, Colin Kaepernick, a professional athlete with a highly polarizing image. Kaepernick, known for kneeling in protest during the national anthem at National Football League games, immediately drew criticism from the public. Over the next two days, Twitter ignited with calls for a boycott and images of people burning and destroying Nike products. Nike stock price began falling and consumer favorability, even among key demographics, continued eroding. How can Nike rein in the anger at their brand? Or, should they take advantage of it? 11 pp. Case #19-08. (2019)
