Question

After earning a graduate degree in Engineering Management, Mazin began working for PDO International. This is a company based in the Oman, which offers engineering, design, and construction services to countries all over the world.Mazin’s work is focused on international development; his first assignment is to lead a team to develop a bid for a highway construction project in East Africa. After the engineering proposal is submitted, Mazin is proud of the work his team has accomplished and promises his manager he will do everything possible to make sure that PDO receives the contract.PDO’s bid is well-received, and Mazin and his team are flown to East Africa to finish negotiations. Mazin is thrilled when his company receives the bid; the only stipulation is that they build their construction headquarters in a specific region in the country. Mazin then begins scouting the region for a location to build their headquarters.In order to obtain building permits in the region, Mazin has to negotiate with the local government. As he begins negotiations, he realizes that bribery is both a common and expected practice. If he does not bribe the local officials, he will not be able to build PDO’s headquarters in that region and consequently will lose the contract; his first managerial project will be a failure. However, it is illegal for an Omani citizen to bribe a foreign official in order to obtain business; if he is caught for bribery, he could face jail time and his company could be fined millions of dollars.1. What should he do?

Answer 1

Answer:

A case of ethical conduct

Explanation:

Mazin is caught in an ethical dilemma here, however compromising and yielding to offer bribes to local officials could put him in jail and soil his reputation and that of his organization forever. Therefore bribing is not an option here. A first option could be to check or negotiate with a higher authority such as the state government or the federal government that awarded the contract. Mazin could apply his skills to get a higher government authority to act in the favor of the company and supersede all resistance in the local authority. He could also seek the help of his manager in this instance as this would be profound feedback on what could be delaying the final contract agreement.