Northouse, Leadership 8e
SAGE Publications, 2019
Case 13.2: How Safe Is Safe?
Case Synopsis and Analysis
Perfect Plastics Inc. (PPI) is a small injection molding plastics company that employs 50
people and has a strong commitment to safe working conditions. The owner, Tom Griffen,
takes pride in the work environment and values order, efficiency, and cleanliness. In order to
guarantee safe working conditions, management voluntarily brings in outside consultants
who audit the plant for safety. Each year, the audit raises concerns that are then rectified.
The attorneys at PPI are opposed to these audits, fearing they expose the company to liability
issues. The president and management recognize these potential downfalls but believe that
the audits are necessary for constant improvement and safety.
This is a somewhat realistic case study that demonstrates the need to prioritize values as a
leader. Often, the threat of lawsuits or lost profit results in difficult and sometimes unethical
decisions. Here, PPI stands by its commitment to safety.
Learning objectives:
• Students should recognize potential “value” differences in an organization and
begin to realize the complexity of ethical decision-making.
• Students should be able to apply key ethical theories to an issue.
Answers to questions in the text:
1. As a company, would you describe PPI as having an identifiable philosophy of moral
values? How do its policies contribute to this philosophy?
PPI does have an identifiable philosophy of moral values. They value order, safety,
2. Which ethical perspective best describes PPI’s approach to safety issues? Would you
say PPI takes a utilitarian-, duty-, or virtue-based approach?
Utilitarianism states that we should behave so as to create the greatest good for the
greatest number. Deontology concerns duty, and whether an action is itself good.
Lying, for instance, is not a good action even if done for a worthy cause. Finally,
virtue ethics focus on who the leader is, recognizing that virtues are rooted in the
Northouse, Leadership 8e
SAGE Publications, 2019
3. Regarding safety issues, how does management see its responsibilities toward its
employees? How do the attorneys see their responsibilities toward PPI?
Management is concerned about employee safety. The attorneys are concerned about
4. Why does it appear that the ethics of PPI and its attorneys are in conflict?
The ethics of PPI and the attorneys are in conflict because there is a clash of values
Potential teaching approaches:
This case study is conducive to group discussions and exercises.
Below is a way to structure a class based on Leadership Ethics and Case Study 13.2:
Northouse, Leadership 8e
SAGE Publications, 2019
• Read Case Study 13.2.
• The professor may choose to conduct the debate (Exercise 1) described below.
• Lecture on Chapter 13.
• Discuss questions from the case study
• Consider other exercises listed below.
Exercises for this case study:
1) Debate: Split the class into half and debate this issue. Who is right? Management
or the lawyers? Most students will want to take management’s side. However, the
2) Using the utilitarian approach, students should analyze PPI’s processes.
3) Role-Play: In small groups, students play the role of management and the
4) In a brief essay (200–250 words), ask students to answer this antithetical question
by using an ethical lens to guide their answer: What is truly wrong with PPI