1. What cross- cultural differences may be at play in this situation?

2. Does Chong understand exactly what the Mayor has asked of him? Is he correct to assume that this may be a request for a bribe? 

3. What are Chong’s options as to how to proceed in the case?

4. Regarding Chong’s suspicions regarding Alam, what should he do? Should he investigate in some way, and if so, how? Or should he, as the English expression goes, “let sleeping dogs lie?” Consider both taking action and not taking action, and make a case for each. 

5. Make a case for Chong going forward with a contribution to the school. Make a case for Chong refusing to contribute. 

6. What are the pressures Chong faces to perform well, and what are the pressures he faces to perform ethically?

Tom Chong is the country manager in Malaysia for Jextra Stores (Jextra), a multinational retailer with supermarkets throughout Asia. The company is based in Hong Kong. Jextra operates ten Neighborhood Market supermarkets in Malaysia. Chong has two issues he must resolve. One involves a recent conversation with the mayor of a town in which Jextra would like to build a new store. The mayor suggested that Jextra's application for rezoning would be more likely to be approved if Jextra contributed to building a new primary school. The mayor also wants Jextra to help pay for a flyover at the road intersection for the proposed site. Chong's other issue involves one of his category managers. The manager may be accepting money and gifts from suppliers. Although Chong has no proof that the manager is acting inappropriately, there are many rumors floating around Jextra's office.