International Harvester Case Summary

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Michael West, a Sales Manager for International Harvester which sells farm machinery to the worldwide markets, was involved in a controversy. When International Harvester knew that West got a new contract with a Brazilian company because he gave $1000 to three Brazil government officials who recommended him to the local business groups, they fired him. In contrast, West thinks that he was being treated unfairly because paying small gifts is Brazilian culture. However, I think that International Harvester is correct for firing West because West’s actions were not allowed by not only ethical rules of his company but also the United State laws. There are three reasons to support why West believes that it was ethical to pay gifts to the local government officials in Brazil. In Brazil, it is necessary for people to take gifts when they are invited to have a lunch or have a meeting with Brazilians. It is so normal in Brazilian culture that he decided to follow Brazilian customs and culture. For this reason, West thought that it was polite and ethical to send gifts to three government staffs who were advantageous in introducing him to the local business community. Another reason that West gave $1000 to three government officials is because he believed that it was not an expressive …show more content…
laws and his company’s ethical rules. In addition, all the business actions should follow the ethical rules of his company no matter where contracts are being made. West had known the ethical rules of his company, but he abandons this rules. Although West think it is unfair to fire him, his company had no choice but to fire him. Additionally, he breaks the anti-bribery laws of the United State laws. In fact, West still need to obey the U.S. laws even if he do business outside the United States. If someone breaks the U.S. laws but is not fired by his company, the company could face large