Case 13.1: Choosing a Research Assistant
Case synopsis and analysis
Dr. Angi Dirks must select a summer research assistant. Four students are candidates, and Dr.
Dirks seems to prefer Roberto and Michelle because they both have flexible schedules over the
summer. Roberto is a foreign student who receives high course evaluations, is well liked and
needs a job to help pay for school. Michelle is an exceptional graduate student who plans to
pursue a PhD but does not seem to need the income from the summer work as much as some of
the other candidates. Carson receives excellent grades, is high achieving, cares for his family,
Learning objectives:
• Students should be able to evaluate an ethical issue in hiring by applying
utilitarianism, egoism, and deontology.
• Students should be able to apply concepts of distributive justice to a hiring decision.
Answers to questions in the text:
1. Of the four options available to Angi, which is the most ethical?
This is a difficult question, perhaps best answered by applying different ethical theories.
Ethical egoism states that a person should act so as to create the greatest good for himself
or herself. Using that theory, Angi should pick Roberto, Michelle, or Analisa. Roberto
Northouse, Leadership: Theory and Practice, Seventh Edition: Instructor Resource
Under utilitarianism, Angi should probably pick Carson. Utilitarianism states that we
2. Using the principles of distributive justice, who would Angi choose to become the
research assistant?
Distributive justice concerns equal opportunity according to individual needs, as well as a
person’s rights, effort, societal contribution, and merit. Three of the candidates have
3. From Heifetz’s perspective, can Angi use this decision to help her department and faculty
face a difficult situation? Should she?
According to Heifetz, leaders should use authority to get people to pay attention to the
issues, to act as a reality test regarding information, to manage and frame issues, to
Northouse, Leadership: Theory and Practice, Seventh Edition: Instructor Resource
4. Do you agree with Burns’s perspective that it is Angi’s responsibility to help followers
assess their own values and needs in order to raise them to a higher level that will stress
values such as liberty, justice, and equality?
Most students will agree that a leader should help followers assess their own values and
needs in order to raise them to a higher level. Doing so enhances motivation and
Potential teaching approaches:
This case study is conducive to group discussions and exercises.
Below is a way to structure a class based on skill theory and case study 13.1:
• Hold a lecture on Kohlberg and ethical theories.
• Read case study 13.1 and answer question 1, applying the theories.
Exercises for this case study:
1) Break the students into four small groups. Each group is assigned a candidate and
2) Students should develop a framework for hiring that could assist in Angi’s decision
and for future decisions concerning the selection of research assistants. The list must
address what should be considered in the selection of a candidate. Students should
