To Be, or Not to Be, That's the Question: Vijay's Dilemma (a)

Abstract

This case is part of the Giving Voice to Values (GVV) curriculum. To see other material in the GVV curriculum, please visit http://store.darden.virginia.edu/giving-voice-to-values.The case discusses how power can be distributed unevenly in an organization and how power can be used by individuals to promote their own self-interests. It highlights how the different influencing tactics can be used by individuals to give voice to what they know is correct. Excerpt UVA-OB-1180 Giving Voice to Values Rev. Jan. 12, 2017 To Be, or Not to Be, That's the Question: Vijay's Dilemma (A), As Vijay held the improved version of The T Company Code of Conduct on the morning of March 3, 2008, he breathed a huge sigh of relief. This was the moment when he finally felt vindicated. He turned to the page that was titled “Conflict of Interest” and felt a sense of satisfaction. He then took a look at the medal of appreciation on his desk from the felicitation ceremony held earlier in the day and his thoughts sailed back in time. It was the morning of July 13, 2006 when Vijay finally heard the good news. His manager announced that beginning the following month, he was going to be promoted to the role of senior procurement manager (Appendix 1). Vijay had joined the T Company three years prior and had been working as assistant manager in the manufacturing department. He had never failed to deliver and thus had secured an Exceeds Expectations rating in all his appraisal cycles. He had also received the award of “Most Promising Employee” in the company's annual felicitation ceremony that year. . . .