Is Kevin Lamson a whistleblower?

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ARTICLE SUMMARY: Oregon car salesman Kevin Lamson was fired by Crater Lake Motors. Company owner Jim Coleman claims Lamson was released for reasons related to performance. Lamson counters that his firing was because he refused to participate in a sales program he considered to be unethical. Lamson sued, claiming wrongful discharge, and won in trial… Read more »

Don Hewitt’s Impact

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ARTICLE SUMMARY: This week the world mourns the passing of another television giant. Unlike Walter Cronkite, Don Hewitt worked behind the scenes at CBS. Those that knew him, claim that many standard practices in television news reporting were innovations introduced by Hewitt. QUESTIONS: What are some of the ways the environment at CBS might have… Read more »

Conducting business in China

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ARTICLE SUMMARY: Four executives of Australian mining company Rio Tinto were arrested by the Chinese government and charged with bribery and corporate espionage. Chinese government officials claim the actions of the arrested gave Rio Tinto an unfair advantage in negotiating prices for the sale of iron ore. The case is causing many firms to rethink… Read more »

Cash for Clunkers

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ARTICLE SUMMARY: In June, Congress approved the “Cash for Clunkers” program. The program was so popular that funding ran out within one week and Congress had to approve an extension. Opponents contend, as with the stimulus package, that the Government acted too hastily putting the program in place. The White House countered by arguing the… Read more »

Diversity and multicultural organizations

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SUMMARY: On August 7, the United States Senate confirmed the nomination of Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court. She becomes the third woman and first Hispanic to serve in that capacity. Her nomination and swearing in offer an excellent opportunity to discuss diversity and multicultural organizations. QUESTIONS: When President Obama hailed Sotomayor’s confirmation by saying… Read more »

Coaching salaries

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SUMMARY: Urban Meyer, head football coach at the University of Florida, recently received a contract extension that will pay him $4 million per year. The coach of the current NCAA national champions will become the first coach at a Southeastern Conference school to earn that amount. The new contract extension highlights just how competitive the… Read more »

The “business as usual” mentality

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SUMMARY: Christian Lacroix, famed Parisian designer of haute couture, has seen change. Eleven chief executive officers could not manage Lacroix’s creativity to a profit. After 22 years in the fashion industry, Lacroix’s future is in doubt. His company, part of the Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton S.A. conglomerate, filed for bankruptcy protection in May. Whether a… Read more »