Instructor Resource
Lussier, Management Fundamentals 8e
SAGE Publishing, 2019
Case Notes
Chapter 2: The Environment: Culture, Ethics, and Social Responsibility
Whole Foods
1. What are the key internal environmental factors facing Whole Foods?
• It maintains a strong emphasis on the highest quality standards for all of its
2. What are the key external environmental factors facing Whole Foods?
• It could export its business by opening retail stores in other countries. This
could support its desire to expand and grow its revenue base.
Instructor Resource
Lussier, Management Fundamentals 8e
SAGE Publishing, 2019
3. Describe the organizational culture at Whole Foods.
The culture at Whole Foods can be seen in the statement of its mission and core operating
values. Based on its mission, the company’s culture can be viewed as focusing on quality
4. What does Whole Foods do to support being an ethical and social responsible
business?
Whole Foods believes strongly in being a good corporate citizen by serving and
supporting local and global communities and sustainability where it does business and
Instructor Resource
Lussier, Management Fundamentals 8e
SAGE Publishing, 2019
5. Do you agree with Whole Foods’ emphasis on being socially responsible and
ethical in how it does business? Why or why not?
6. Is it a good or bad idea for Whole Foods to lower the quality standards for its
food items so that it can reduce prices and potentially broaden the appeal of
shopping there to a wider range of consumers?
Ride ’em Cowboys: Wells Fargo and the Seattle City Council
1. Which external factors/stakeholders are addressed in this case?
The following factors (stakeholders) are mentioned in this case:
2. What artifact(s) embody the culture and underlying values of Wells Fargo?
Six artifacts comprise an organization’s culture. Slogans, in this case the firm’s motto of
3. In this case, Wells Fargo’s values and beliefs do not seem to match their
behavior. Explain.
Wells Fargo stated it is committed to creating stronger communities, advancing clean
Instructor Resource
Lussier, Management Fundamentals 8e
SAGE Publishing, 2019
4. Given your answer to question three, how would you characterize the firm’s
culture (strong or weak)?
Organizations with strong cultures have employees knowing and enacting the values and
5. Classify Wells Fargo’s moral development as a firm within the context of this
case. Indicate their level of development as per their stated values as well as their
level of development given their actions in this case.
Post conventional level refers to leaders at this moral development level are committed to
6. Using the Guide to Ethical Behavior, apply one of the guides to this case.
a. Golden rule (do unto others): Using this guideline Wells Fargo managers
Instructor Resource
Lussier, Management Fundamentals 8e
SAGE Publishing, 2019
7. Given Wells Fargo’s actions in this case what level of social responsibility would
you classify them as?
Though the firm’s circulated values indicate a commitment to community development
8. Given the movement towards evaluating a firm based upon the triple bottom line,
how would you rate Wells Fargo?
The triple bottom line is measuring profits, CSR and environmental impact. Given the
9. Tim Brown, Wells Fargo Middle Market Banking regional manager, expressed
Wells Fargo’s reaction to the Seattle City Council’s actions as disappointing but
that he and his firm stand ready to serve the Seattle community. Which of
Mintzberg’s management role categories was he enacting?
His actions exemplified all three major roles:
a. Interpersonal: he acted as a figure head in representing Wells Fargo’s
10. Was Tim Brown, Wells Fargo Middle Market Banking regional manager, the
proper level manager to have expressed Wells Fargo’s reaction to the Seattle City
Council’s actions?
Instructor Resource
Lussier, Management Fundamentals 8e
SAGE Publishing, 2019
This is a matter of opinion. Some student might argue that top management (i.e. the