Siemens and the Greek Olympics Bribery Scandal

by | Aug 15, 2024 | Business Law

 

CASE STUDIES – CHOOSE 1 OF THESE COMPANIES
You are provided research sources (with their APA 7th ed. citations) to get you started. Include these sources in your work.

Siemens – Greek Olympics bribery scandal
Berghoff, H. (2018). Business History, 60(3), 423-445. . [NOTE – SECOND LINK – FULL ARTICLE IN TREFRY LIBRARY]
Marshall. (2013, October 30). Siemens’ staff bribing and corruption scandal. [Video file.] YouTube.
Dearton, T. H. (2015, Jun 27). A firm’s approach to corruption depends on the individual running it: Harvard professor Paul Healy [Corporate Dossier]. The Economic Times

The following covers the assignment content, building on your Week 5 worksheet, with 11 content slides. You may have additional content slides if you need them, but remember that the slides are key points supplemented by the speaker, not a paper distributed over slides. In addition are the Title, Agenda, and References slides.

Slide 1
Title slide

Slide 2
Agenda slide This is an outline of the PPT topics

Slide 3
Introduce and describe the company (name, type of business, its corporate structure)

Key bullet points and image on slide full details in Speakers Notes portion for slide

Tell the story of the facts of the case study leading up to the companys decision, and then what happened.

Slide 5
State precisely and explain the dilemma, the companys decision point, and choice made. Focus on the specific decision choice of your case study. Likely the company was involved in numerous actions.

Slide 6
Identify and explain the law(s) violated by the companys action. Include the laws requirements and purpose. Suggestion: include an example of a violation of the same law by another company.

Slide 7
Describe and explain the legal results for your case study company as a result of violation. For example, if individuals were criminally prosecuted, include that, and also what happened to the company itself. For example, did it end up in bankruptcy? Was it sold? If it survived, what did it do in the wake of the problem?

Slide 8
Summarize the harm caused by the companys decision.

Harm to third parties who were victims of the decision?

Harm to company & stakeholders.

Slide 9
Identify, define, and explain the ethical framework (you selected this in Assignment 5 — egoism, free market ethics, or utilitarianism) that is illustrated by the companys decision and conduct. Include an example of how this ethical framework affects making a decision (an example other than this case study).

Slide 10
Explain how the decision and behavior of the company in this case study illustrates the ethical framework you defined and explained in the previous slide. Compare company to the example you gave in the previous slide.

Slide 11
Identify, define, and explain the alternative ethical framework (you selected this in Assignment 5 – deontology, ethics of care, or virtue ethics) that could have led to a different result for the company. Explain specifically how the company effectively could have employed this alternative framework. Include an example of how it works in making a decision (not the case study example).

Slide 12
The legal issues resulting from the companys decision in this case study were not the only legal problems it had or could have had. Identify another, different legal issue relating to this company. Examples from your studies in the course are: contract disputes; tort claims; violation of a civil or criminal statute or regulation (which you must identify specifically); civil rights; employment issue; whistleblowing. It must be a different legal issue from the laws and regulations involved in the case study violations. You should have identified this in Assignment 5. Develop here.

Slide 13
Recommend: What is a take-away from this case study for exercise of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in management of business operations? Recommend and explain at least one CSR business practice for any business. In determining your recommendation consider the concepts we have studied this term. The company you have studied for this Assignment engaged in practices that ultimately touched or affected all aspects of its management. Your recommendation must be a specific practice for any business to apply. It is not sufficient to say something like “do it differently,” or “be ethical” or “corporately responsible.”

Slide 14
References slide:

Your references must be cited fully in APA7 format, except on your PPT slide it is not necessary to use a hanging indent or double space the citations. More than 7 credible sources are required for exemplary level of the grading rubric with a minimum of 4 being scholarly or peer-reviewed sources. At least 7 credible sources are required for the Accomplished level of the rubric with 3 being scholarly or peer-reviewed. Please see the rubric’s requirements for including scholarly and peer-reviewed sources.

 

Sample solution

Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell. 

In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.


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God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.

Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.

To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.

 

References

Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.

Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.

Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.

Sample Answer

Sample Answer

 

Siemens – Greek Olympics Bribery Scandal

Slide 1: Title Slide

Title: Siemens and the Greek Olympics Bribery Scandal
Presented by: [Your Name]
Date: [Submission Date]

Slide 2: Agenda

1. Introduction to Siemens
2. Case Study Overview
3. Company Decision Point
4. Legal Violations
5. Legal Consequences
6. Harm Caused
7. Ethical Framework: Egoism
8. Ethical Conduct of Siemens
9. Alternative Ethical Framework: Deontology
10. Additional Legal Issue
11. Corporate Social Responsibility Recommendations
12. References

Slide 3: Introduction to Siemens

– Company Overview:

– Name: Siemens AG
– Type of Business: Multinational conglomerate primarily focused on engineering, manufacturing, and technology services.
– Corporate Structure: Operates through various divisions, including Digital Industries, Smart Infrastructure, Mobility, Siemens Healthineers, and Siemens Financial Services.

– Image: [Insert an image of the Siemens logo or headquarters]

Speaker Notes:
Siemens AG is a global powerhouse in electrical engineering and electronics. Established in 1847, it has evolved into a leader in various sectors, including automation, digitalization, and smart infrastructure. With a presence in over 200 countries, Siemens employs around 300,000 people worldwide.

Slide 4: Case Study Overview

– Background of the Scandal:

– In the lead-up to the 2004 Athens Summer Olympics, Siemens was implicated in a bribery scandal involving over €50 million to secure contracts related to the Olympic Games’ telecommunications and security systems.
– Allegations surfaced regarding corrupt practices aimed at influencing Greek officials and securing lucrative contracts.

– Outcome of the Case:

– Investigations revealed extensive documentation of bribery, leading to public outrage and legal scrutiny.

Speaker Notes:
The bribery scandal surrounding Siemens during the Greek Olympics raised significant ethical questions and led to a lengthy investigation by Greek authorities. This case exemplified how corporate greed can compromise ethical standards and result in severe legal ramifications.

Slide 5: Company Decision Point

– Dilemma:

– Siemens faced a choice between adhering to ethical business practices or engaging in corrupt practices to secure lucrative contracts.

– Decision Made:

– The company opted for the latter, leading to widespread bribery as a means to gain competitive advantage in securing contracts for Olympic-related projects.

Speaker Notes:
Siemens’ decision to engage in corrupt practices not only jeopardized their reputation but also raised questions about the integrity of their business model. This decision reflects a broader tendency within corporations to prioritize profit over ethical considerations.

Slide 6: Legal Violations

– Laws Violated:

– The primary law violated was the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), which prohibits U.S. companies from bribing foreign officials for business advantages.

– Law Requirements and Purpose:

– The FCPA requires companies to maintain accurate books and records and implement internal controls to prevent corrupt practices.

– Example of Violation by Another Company:

– The case of Wal-Mart’s alleged bribery in Mexico mirrors Siemens’ actions, highlighting systemic corruption in multinational corporations.

Speaker Notes:
The FCPA serves as a critical tool for promoting ethical business practices internationally. Siemens’ actions violated this law and undermined the principles it seeks to uphold.

Slide 7: Legal Consequences

– Results for Siemens:

– Siemens faced significant legal repercussions, including fines exceeding $1.6 billion in settlements with U.S. and European authorities.
– Key executives were prosecuted, and the company underwent comprehensive compliance reforms.

– Impact on the Company:

– While Siemens did not go bankrupt, the scandal tarnished its reputation and prompted changes in governance structures to prevent future violations.

Speaker Notes:
The legal consequences of the bribery scandal were severe for Siemens. The financial penalties imposed highlighted the seriousness of their violations while also prompting an internal reevaluation of their business practices.

Slide 8: Harm Caused

– Harm to Third Parties:

– Greek taxpayers faced the burden of inflated costs due to corrupt practices.
– Trust in governmental institutions was eroded, affecting public confidence.

– Harm to Siemens and Stakeholders:

– Significant financial losses due to fines and legal fees.
– Damage to brand reputation affected relationships with customers and investors.

Speaker Notes:
The consequences of Siemens’ actions extended beyond legal ramifications; they harmed third parties and the company’s stakeholders alike, illustrating the pervasive impact of unethical business conduct.

Slide 9: Ethical Framework: Egoism

– Definition:

– Egoism focuses on actions that promote self-interest, often at the expense of others.

– Example of Egoism in Decision-Making:

– A company’s decision to cut corners on safety regulations to save costs exemplifies egoism, prioritizing profits over employee safety.

Speaker Notes:
Siemens’ decision to engage in bribery reflects an egoistic approach—prioritizing immediate financial gain over ethical business practices. This mindset ultimately backfired as it led to detrimental consequences for both the company and society.

Slide 10: Ethical Conduct of Siemens

– Illustration of Egoism:

– Siemens’ choice to bribe officials was a self-serving decision aimed at securing contracts regardless of ethical implications.

– Comparison with Another Example:

– Similar to the egoistic approach taken by Enron executives who prioritized profit reporting at the expense of ethical transparency, Siemens illustrated how self-interest can lead to corporate downfall.

Speaker Notes:
The comparison between Siemens and Enron highlights a shared disregard for ethical considerations in favor of self-interest. Both cases serve as cautionary tales regarding the long-term repercussions of such decisions.

Slide 11: Alternative Ethical Framework: Deontology

– Definition:

– Deontological ethics emphasizes duty and adherence to rules and principles regardless of the consequences.

– Implementation for Siemens:

– If Siemens had adhered to a deontological framework, they would have prioritized ethical responsibilities over financial gain and avoided engaging in corrupt practices.

– Example of Deontological Decision-Making:

– A company choosing not to exploit loopholes in labor laws despite potential cost savings demonstrates a commitment to ethical principles.

Speaker Notes:
By employing a deontological approach, Siemens could have fostered a culture of integrity that prioritized ethical responsibilities over profit maximization, potentially avoiding the scandal altogether.

Slide 12: Additional Legal Issue

– Identified Legal Issue:

– Contract disputes arising from misrepresentation in bidding processes for Olympic contracts could expose Siemens to additional liabilities.

– Specific Law Violated:

– Breach of contract laws may apply if it can be shown that Siemens misrepresented their capabilities or intentions during negotiations.

Speaker Notes:
This additional legal issue underscores the complexities involved in corporate governance and highlights potential pitfalls beyond those directly associated with bribery allegations.

Slide 13: Corporate Social Responsibility Recommendations

– Takeaway for CSR in Management:

– Companies must integrate ethical considerations into their core business strategies rather than viewing compliance as merely a legal obligation.

– Recommended CSR Practice:

– Implementing robust ethics training programs that emphasize accountability and corporate responsibility among all employees can foster an ethical culture throughout the organization.

Speaker Notes:
By prioritizing CSR practices that align with ethical standards, companies can build trust with stakeholders while mitigating risks associated with unethical behavior. This proactive approach is essential for sustainable success in today’s global marketplace.

Slide 14: References

1. Berghoff, H. (2018). Business History, 60(3), 423-445.
2. Marshall. (2013, October 30). Siemens’ staff bribing and corruption scandal. [Video file]. YouTube.
3. Dearton, T. H. (2015, June 27). A firm’s approach to corruption depends on the individual running it: Harvard professor Paul Healy [Corporate Dossier]. The Economic Times.
4. Additional sources as required for compliance with criteria (to be added).

This presentation provides an analytical overview of the Siemens bribery scandal within the context of corporate ethics and legal compliance while offering actionable recommendations for improving corporate social responsibility practices moving forward.

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