TABLE OF CONTENTS

• I.   INTRODUCTION
  
• II.  INSTRUCTIONS FOR USING THESE CASES
  
• III. CASE STUDIES
  
• IV. SCRIPT FOR CASES FOR ETHICS TRAINING
  INTRODUCTION Cases for Ethics Training is a video program designed to stimulate discussion and debate of ethics and compliance issues relevant to defense contractors. The training tape presents three fictional episodes that depict ethics confronting managers and employees of defense contractors. For teaching purposes, the episodes include intentionally provocative comments and situations, and raise questions of compliance with ethics laws and regulations. The episodes are designed to facilitate an open discussion of the issues raised. To that end, this Facilitator's Manual contains suggested questions for discussion, as well as comments and suggestions for the facilitator, for each of the three episodes.

  The video program was prepared under the auspices of the Defense Industry Initiative on Business Ethics and Conduct ("DII"), in conjunction with its 1994 Best Practices Forum. The DII was created in 1986 as an outgrowth of the recommendations of the President's Blue Ribbon ("Packard") Commission on Defense Management. Signatories to the DII Principles have pledged to promote ethical business conduct through implementation of policies, procedures, and programs in the following six areas:

  • Codes of ethics;
  • Ethics training;
  • Internal reporting of alleged misconduct;
  • Self-governance through the implementation of systems to monitor compliance with federal procurement laws and the adoption of procedures for voluntary disclosure of violations to the appropriate authorities;
  • Responsibility to the industry through attendance at Best Practices Forums; and
  • Accountability to the public.
  As of 1995, there were 55 signatories to the DII, including virtually all of the largest defense contractors.

  In furtherance of the DII Principles, the signatories have committed to adopting and implementing a set of principles of business ethics and conduct that acknowledge and address their corporate responsibilities under federal procurement laws and to the public. They have also accepted the responsibility to create an environment in which compliance with federal procurement laws and free, open, and timely reporting of violations become the felt responsibility of every employee in the defense industry. The ethics and compliance programs of the DII signatories are continuously being improved. DII signatories hold extensive training programs on government contract compliance and business ethics. Signatories view such training as a means of raising employee awareness, knowledge, and commitment to legal requirements and ethical principles. The signatories use a variety of techniques to convey ethics information and suggestions for dealing with perceived wrongdoing. Most common is probably the case study, which is used to illustrate the application of ethics principles in everyday situations. The case studies typically deal with such subjects as proper time charging, product quality, use of company assets, substance abuse, environmental issues, product substitution, pricing and proposal preparation, and confidential information.

  Cases for Ethics Training follows the case-study model. It is designed so that employees may view each of the episodes, and following each, discuss the cases using a typical problem-solving format. The three episodes in Cases for Ethics Training deal with the subjects of meaningful ethics and compliance programs, fear of retribution for raising ethics concerns, business courtesies, conflicts of interest, confidential and source selection sensitive information, and relationships with U.S. Government personnel.

  Information about this and other DII corporate ethics program materials is available from Richard Bednar, DII Coordinator, Crowell & Moring LLP, 1001 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Suite 1000, Washington, D.C. 20004, Telephone (202) 624-2619.
  

  Next: INSTRUCTIONS FOR USING THESE CASES
  
  

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  © 1994 DEFENSE INDUSTRY INITIATIVE. Cases for Ethics Training was written, directed, and produced for the Defense Industry Initiative by Alan R. Yuspeh. Mr. Yuspeh is a partner at the law firm of Howrey & Simon. The Facilitator's Guide for Discussion was written by Alan R. Yuspeh and Karen L. Manos. Ms. Manos is an associate at Howrey & Simon. All rights reserved. Use or duplication of this manual or the accompanying video program without prior permission of the DII is strictly prohibited.

  Return to the DII Home Page.

  ©1999, Defense Industry Initiative