Student Resource
Johnson, Organizational Ethics, 5e
SAGE Publications, 2022
Case Notes
Chapter 7: Leadership and Followership Ethics
Case Study 7.1: Tech Worker Resistance
Case Synopsis and Analysis
A growing number of employees are publicly protesting their companies’ actions and policies.
Tech workers are in the forefront of employee resistance. Employees at Microsoft, Google,
for global good. So far, the tech resistance movement has generated mixed results, with
companies only dropping some controversial contracts.
Learning Objectives
• Students will recognize the influence of followers.
Student Resource
Johnson, Organizational Ethics, 5e
SAGE Publications, 2022
Discussion Guide
This case illustrates the importance of followership ethics. More employees are objecting to the
actions of their firms based on ethical grounds. Probe to see what types of issues would prompt
students to protest. Discuss the role of employees in shaping company strategy. Determine how
Case Study 7.2: Power, Wealth, and the Sexual Predator
Case Synopsis and Analysis
Jeffery Epstein demonstrates how concentrated power corrupts leaders and those around them.
The disgraced financier used his power and wealth to engage in sex trafficking, paying
underprivileged, underage girls to perform sex acts. Epstein was convicted of soliciting sex from
Though dead, the damage Epstein did lives on. His victims are still dealing with the
trauma. His celebrity friends were forced to deny that they engaged in sex while visiting Epstein
on his island. His longtime girlfriend, accused of procuring his victims, maintains her innocence.
Alexander Acosta, the Secretary of Labor who arranged Epstein’s plea deal, was forced to
Student Resource
Johnson, Organizational Ethics, 5e
SAGE Publications, 2022
Learning Objectives
• Students will recognize that power corrupts.
Discussion Guide
In discussing the case, be sure to identify who was corrupted by Epstein’s power and influence.
This includes:
—his victims
—celebrities, including Prince Andrew and Alan Dershowitz
Student Resource
Johnson, Organizational Ethics, 5e
SAGE Publications, 2022
to see who believes that Epstein’s donations should be returned. Broaden the discussion to
consider if any college or other nonprofit should accept a donation from a convicted criminal.
Case Study 7.3: Rosalynn Carter: Partner in a Lifetime of Service
Case Synopsis and Analysis
Former Presidential couple, Rosalynn and Jimmy Carter, are dedicated to service. They founded
the Carter Center to foster world peace and to help eradicate diseases in developing countries.
Rosalynn’s commitment to serving others stems from having to take care of her younger
siblings when her father died, observing the mental disabilities of two of Jimmy’s cousins, and
seeing the struggles of her mother-in-law Lillian Carter. She believes that her faith in God
requires her to help. In their 90s, the Carters are the longest-married presidential couple. Both
Learning Objectives
• Students will recognize the servant leadership attributes of Rosalynn and Jimmy Carter.
Student Resource
Johnson, Organizational Ethics, 5e
SAGE Publications, 2022
Discussion Guide
Rosalynn and Jimmy Carter are exemplars of servant leadership. Make sure that students
recognize their servant attributes based on material in the chapter. The Carters are (1) person
as well as the trigger events in Rosalynn’s life. Religious faith is a strong motivating factor for
Rosalynn. With the class, speculate as to other factors, such as empathy, past experiences,