Enron Case Study - An E-Team Small Group Discussion

Much of business is done via online resources. Employees who understand how to participate in e-meetings, how to run them and how to get results are valued in the workplace.This small group discussion will serve as an E-Team case study with Enron as the subject of study. As this class is an online learning environment, learning how to communicate in groups online is a logical part of our time together.

1. Together, you and your group will review this video on Enron's illegal business practices and answer these questions:
   • Which elements of this case might involve issues of legal compliance? Which elements illustrate acting legally but not ethically? What would acting ethically and with personal integrity in this situation look like?
   • How do you think this breach will affect Enrons position relative to those of its competitors? How might it affect the future success of the company?
   • Was the punishment of Enron executives fair? What else could have been done?
2. You and your group do not have to watch the video at the same time, but you are expected to hold a "conversation" online together using your team's Discussions space. This is very similar to a usual Discussion, but instead of discussing an issue with the whole class, you are discussing the issue with your small group. Just like in a face-to-face class, sometimes it is easier and allows each student to participate more fully when the number of people in the conversation is low. For this reason, you will be expected to fully examine the Enron situation within your groups Discussion space, perhaps more than you usually would.