This module presents a case study of the Sunbeam Corporation from its inception in 1897 to 1998. It focuses on the period in which Albert Dunlap, aka ?Chainsaw Al?, was appointed as CEO and Chairman of the Board in 1996 and chronicles the steps and ethical mis-steps Dunlap took to ?turn-around? the company. The module is located as a case study within a larger website housed at Colorado State University?s ?e-businessethics.com? site. The case concludes with several short questions about the culture that Dunlap devloped at Sunbeam and the ethical, financial and organizational problems that followed.
Type of Material:
Case Study
Technical Requirements:
Internet browser
Identify Major Learning Goals:
The case illustrates the shortcomings of a narrow approach to organizational change that focuses exclusively on maximizing shareholder value. This myopic vision can result in dysfunctional management behavior that ultimately breeds an ineffective organization.
Target Student Population:
Students in upper level undergraduate or graduate Management, Human Resource Management, Business Ethics or Organizational Behavior/Theory courses.
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:
Students should have a basic understanding of the management field (2+ courses).
Content Quality
Rating:
Strengths:
This material is engaging and relevant to students as many of them will have heard of ?Chainsaw Al? and his experiences at Sunbeam. The case is well written and interesting and illustrates several different management concepts.
Concerns:
The case could be improved by having links to media articles on Dunlap and Sunbeam. It would be interesting if the case could be updated past 1998 to show students where Sunbeam stands today and what happened to Albert Dunlap and his legal actions against the company. However, the instructor certainly could add that material him/herself.
Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool
Rating:
Strengths:
This case is very versatile ? it could be used as a homework assignment, an exam question, a group or individual project or as an in-class exercise ? and in many different courses ? Business Ethics, General Management, MBA management course etc. It illustrates many different management concepts such as ethics, managing change, organizational culture, leadership styles, power relationships, stakeholder theory, and decision making.
Concerns:
: The case itself only includes 3 questions at its conclusion. It seems that there is a lot of information in the case that could be explored. However, instructors utilizing this module could easily add more questions to fit their learning goals. Also, a further reading list or links to additional articles on the case would enhance this module.
Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty
Rating:
Strengths:
The web page is very well presented ? lots of graphics, small sections for easy reading on the computer, and the information is well documented. The website does provide many other resources pertaining to business ethics that could be quite useful for students and instructors alike, including additional sections on the e-businessethics.com website itself.
Concerns:
The author could post pictures or photos of Al Dunlap and Sunbeam?s products to make the case even more engaging and visually appealing.
Creative Commons:
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