Ethics and Transparency as Vital Organizational Touchstones: Case of ExxonMobil in Liberia
Case Code: CLBE029 Case Length: 4 Pages Period: 2011-2018 Pub Date: 2023 Teaching Note: Available |
Price: Rs.300 Organization: ExxonMobil Industry:Energy/Retail Countries : Liberia Themes: International Business, Ethics in Business |
Abstract
The case describes how the US-based oil ExxonMobil acquired an oil block in Liberia, a war-torn African country, by bribing the officials. The block itself was the subject of a major controversy, as it was owned by politicians and ministers in the country. The issue was brought out by an advocacy group, leading to a probe.
Issues
- Understand the cross cultural ethical issues faced by multinational organizations.
- Draw the frameworks for ethical decision making.
- Discuss the ways to combat corruption in international business.
Introduction
In April 2018, George Weah (Weah), President of Liberia, a West African country, ordered a probe into a US$ 120 million acquisition of offshore drilling block – Oil Block 13 – by US-based oil major Exxon Mobil Corp (Exxon). The probe came in the aftermath of a report by advocacy group Global Witness, which showed that Exxon had acquired the block in 2013 through a structured deal involving Canada-based oil company Canadian Overseas Petroleum Ltd. (COPL) in order to skirt US anti-corruption laws, as the ownership of the block was controversial. It was also alleged that Exxon had bribed six officials who approved the deal, including the son of a former president , through the Liberian oil agency National Oil Company of Liberia (NOCAL)..
Keywords
ExxonMobil; Bribery; Liberia; ethics; Ethics in Business; cross cultural ethics; corruption in international business; social responsibility
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