The Inbox Exercise: Performance Evaluation at ConsultSinga (A) and (B)

In this Inbox Exercise, students are to assume the role of Kiran Kamdar, a new analyst at a hypothetical consultancy company called ConsultSinga, and respond to emails in his inbox. These include invitations from the boss to play golf during the weekend and from co-workers for after-work drinks or to their homes. There are also various work-related requests including assistance with intern recruitment, help with budgeting, suggestions to amend billing hours, commenting on co-workers’ job roles, assessing a secretary’s performance, and recommending candidates for hiring. In addition, there are also emails from HR, the IT department, and the spouse.

Students must answer all questions within a specified time limit. Their performance will be evaluated after completing two rounds of replies, one in Part A, and another in Part B. The exercise is designed to simulate situations where individuals are expected to identify ethical issues and make decisions under time constraints. Students can respond using either pen and paper or interactively using the Excel spreadsheets provided.

This collection of exercises aims to enhance students’ ethical awareness and help them make informed decisions ethically. Through a distinction of ‘want’ versus ‘should’ and theories on moral licensing and moral compensation, they explore the various factors (such as licensing effects, self-control, closeness to future self, etc.) that influence their ethical decision-making thought process. The scenarios also illustrate how social networks may influence unethical behaviour in the workplace.

Inspection copies and teaching notes are available for university faculty. To receive an inspection copy and teaching note, please email cmpshop@smu.edu.sg with your registered faculty email ID and a link to your contact information on the faculty directory at your university as verification. An inspection copy and teaching note will then be sent to your faculty email account.

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·      The Case Part A (SMU-24-0008)

·      The Case Part B (SMU-24-0008)

·      Case Supplement Part A (SMU-24-0008)

·      Case Supplement Part B (SMU-24-0008)

·      Teaching Note (SMU-24-0008TN)

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·      The Case Part A (SMU-24-0008)

·      The Case Part B (SMU-24-0008)

·      Case Supplement A (SMU-24-0008)

·      Case Supplement B (SMU-24-0008)

·      Teaching Note (SMU-24-0008)

For purchase of the case and supplementary materials via Harvard Business Publishing, please access the following links:

·      The Case Part A (SMU-24-0008)

·      The Case Part B (SMU-24-0008)

·      Case Supplement A (SMU-24-0008)

·      Case Supplement B (SMU-24-0008)

·      Teaching Note (SMU-24-0008)