Student Resource
Johnson, Organizational Ethics, 5e
SAGE Publications, 2022
Case Notes
Chapter 4: Ethical Interpersonal Communication
Case Study 4.1: Online Confirmation
Case Synopsis and Analysis
Dr. Modi is an experienced college professor known for creating a warm classroom atmosphere
where students feel valued. She appears genuinely interested in student comments, makes an
Learning Objectives
• Students will identify the characteristics of successful and unsuccessful online courses
from their own experiences.
• Students will recognize the link between confirmation and successful classroom
experiences.
Student Resource
Johnson, Organizational Ethics, 5e
SAGE Publications, 2022
Discussion Guide
Nearly all students have first-hand experience with online courses so they should have plenty of
thoughts about what makes for a successful or unsuccessful online experience. Have them serve
Case Study 4.2: Unfairly Taking the Blame
Case Synopsis and Analysis
Dave, an executive at a regional sandwich chain, has unfairly blamed his colleague Tom for the
failure of a new location. Feeling betrayed, Tom decides to confront his fellow executive.
Learning Objectives
• Students will practice strategies for coping with trust betrayal based on chapter concepts.
Discussion Guide
This case can be acted out with students playing the roles of Tom and Dave. (Feel free to change
the names and gender of the two characters for the role plays.) Have the rest of the class evaluate
Student Resource
Johnson, Organizational Ethics, 5e
SAGE Publications, 2022
Case Study 4.3: Three Performance Reviews
Case Synopsis and Analysis
Joanna Sorensen, who oversees a new employee program at a small accounting firm, has
completed performance evaluations for three recent hires. She is scheduled to meet individually
Learning Objectives
• Students will highlight the perspectives and goals of each of the participants.
• Students will describe the positive and negative feedback to be provided in the
Discussion Guide
This case draws on material from the last section of the chapter. The discussion questions ask
students to consider the perspectives and goals of the participants as well as threats to the
identities and self-concepts of the new hires. Class members should be able to identify specific
Student Resource
Johnson, Organizational Ethics, 5e