Case study: Millars Bank

1 Dialogue+4 ExhibitsEthical Dilemmas

Class N°7

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OverviewDate: 1994

•Map

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Characters

Ms. Marsh

Position: Loan officer Location: Abu Dhabi

Mr. SmotherPosition: Bank manager Location: Abu Dhabi

Mr. DuncanPosition: Vice president, International Banking Location: London

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Exhibit N°1 Fax from W. T. R. Duncan, Vice-President, International Banking, Millars Bank, London, to SmothersDATE: 18 July 1994TO: P. SMOTHERSFM: W. DUNCANRE: REPLACEMENT OFFICERJ. L. MARSH, REPLACEMENT FOR MATHERS, ARRIVING 1 AUG FOR ASSIGNMENT 15 AUG. MARSH FORMERLY CORPORATE LOAN OFFICER, BEIRUT AND CAIRO. FLUENT ARABIC. HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL IN FORMER POSITIONS. CREDITED WITH EXPANDING CAIRO LOAN OPERATIONS BY 30%. SHOULD BE ABLE TO ASSUME EXTENSIVE DUTIES IN MINIMUM TIME. PLEASE REPLY UPON MARSH ARRIVAL.CORDIALLY,DUNCAN

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Exhibit N°3

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Exhibit N°2

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Background

Ms. Marsh’

s gender is an

obstacle

Highly Recommende

d

Ms. Marsh

Mr. Smothers

Mr. Dunca

n

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Dialogues between Mr. Smothers and Ms. Marsh

Mr. Smother's vision

Ms. Marsh wouldn’t have choose this position

Abu Dhabi is not Egypt or Lebanon

The clients are the decision makers

It is a risky position: a lot of money is involved

Ms. Marsh’s vision

Previous work experience in Arabic countries

Clients want to deal with an effective loan officer no matter it gender

Fluent in Arabic

British bank

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Exhibit N°4:: Letter from Marsh to Smothers

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Analysis

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StrengthsMr.

Smothers

Local employee

Strong knowledge of

customs, religion, culture

The Bank

Head office in England

Better management

Ms. Marsh

Skilled

Fluent in Arabic

Work experience

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WeaknessesMr.

Smother

Stubborn

The Bank

Strong competitio

n

Market share loss

Foreign bank

Head office

localization

Ms. Marsh

Gender: female

foreigner

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OpportunitiesAbu

Dhabi

Dynamism

Investors

Customers’ wealth

Ms. Marsh

Gritty determinati

on

Former challenges succeeded

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ThreatsThe

BankHave to stay competitive regarding others 24

banks

Communication with the head office

Ms. Marsh

Loss of current clients

Loss of money

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Statement of the problemWhich criteria has to guide the

employer in his decision: the professional skills or the country’s culture?

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1st SolutionStatus Quo: keep Ms.Marsh

compliance with the decision of M.Duncan

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Conflict with M.Smothers

Possible loss of clients

-

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2nd SolutionTrial period

Solution of Ms.Marsh

Ninety days->fewer risk

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Possible loss of clients

-

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3rd SolutionMove Ms.Marsh

Keep Ms.Marsh

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Search another employee

High cost

Trouble with Ms.Marsh

-

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4th SolutionHire a male employee

Respect of country’s culture

Decision of Mr.Smothers

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Same excellent profil

Dismiss Ms.Marsh

-

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5th SolutionAbandon Abu Dhabi

no useless risk

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High cost

Bright future country

-

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2nd SolutionTrial period

Solution of Ms.Marsh

Ninety days->fewer risk

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Possible loss of clients

-

Approved

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THE ENDJean-Charles CONSTANTY

Jordan DEBOUCHE