DOI
10.1007/s10551-011-0844-7
Abstract
This case study examines the relevance of taking social and political factors into consideration when a corporation is making a key business decision. In September 2009, Simon Beresford-Wylie, the outgoing CEO of Nokia Siemens Networks (NSN), was reviewing the company’s achievements — while acknowledging the latest public criticism regarding NSN’s business relationship with the Iranian government. In the summer of 2009, NSN was accused of complicity in human rights violations linked to Iran’s presidential election. The company sold network infrastructure and software solutions to the Iranian government, which then used this technology to observe, block, and control domestic communications. Should NSN have acted differently?
Students are asked to examine the economic and moral arguments for and against selling products to an oppressive regime that might then use those products to violate human rights. In such a case, does the corporation bear co-responsibility for human rights violations committed by an oppressive regime?
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
9-2011
Publisher Statement
Copyright © 2011 Springer. DOI: 10.1007/s10551-011-0844-7.
The definitive version is available at: http://download.springer.com/static/pdf/700/art%253A10.1007%252Fs10551-011-0844-7.pdf?auth66=1405774578_7cca325612c74011d88b46642c63df96&ext=.pdf
Full citation:
Schrempf, Judith. "Nokia Siemens Networks: Just Doing Business – or Supporting an Oppressive Regime?" Journal of Business Ethics 103, no. 1 (September 2011): 95-110. doi:10.1007/s10551-011-0844-7.
Recommended Citation
Schrempf-Stirling, Judith, "Nokia Siemens Networks: Just Doing Business – or Supporting an Oppressive Regime?" (2011). Management Faculty Publications. 36.
https://scholarship.richmond.edu/management-faculty-publications/36
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