16.
Space Center Souvenirs-A Case concerning Ethical
Decision Making
Presenter: Leslee Higgins, Georgia Southern
University
Kathleen
H. Gruben, Georgia Southern University
Description: Space Center
Souvenirs is a small "mom and pop" operation located only two miles
from NASA in Webster, Texas. The store's niche is selling space memorabilia. On
February 1, 2003, the owners of this small business found themselves in a
precarious situation. The space shuttle, Columbia, exploded over Texas. Within
only minutes of the explosion, the business began to change and the owners
faced ethical decisions they had never imagined. This case stresses the changes
and decision making that even a small business faces when directly impacted by
a national disaster.
This session focuses on a student
case, Space Center Souvenirs, developed by the presenters and described above.
This case required one class period. The primary subject matter of this case
concerns ethical decision making. Secondary issues examined include small
business management in a dynamic environment. The case has a difficulty level
that is appropriate for any undergraduate business course. Participants are
required to make business and ethical decisions for a small business
immediately following a national disaster. Participants will learn how business
decisions can be made in an ethical, compassionate manner, even after a
national disaster.
