THE ALLIGATOR RIVER STORY
Uma Sekaran and W.C. Coscarelli

Excercise










I think that Abigail is the least objectionable because she was in love with Gregory and she was willing to pay any price to see him. She had to go to bed with the riverboat Captain Sinbad in order to cross the river. The most objectionable is Gregory because he did not take into account the enormous effort and sacrifice Abigail did to see him, although she apparently cheated on him.
The most reprehensive is Sinbad because he harassed Abigail to take her across. The less reprehensive is Ivan because he did not make anything bad; he was not willing to listen to Abigail’s problems.

3. Should individuals (directors, employees, shareholders) bear any responsibility for the actions of a corporation? If so, to what degree?

A corporation is a legal entity separated from its owners, who become shareholders. It can act in its own name and can enter into contracts, pay taxes, sue and be sued, among other things. The corporation is liable for its own debts and obligations whereas the shareholders enjoy limited liability.
Nowadays, corporation’s liability for actions becomes diffused and individuals frequently become disconnected from the consequences of their actions and don’t feel responsible for them. Since the corporation can’t make decisions by itself, those individuals engaged in irresponsible actions should bear any responsibility. That limited liability often hides irresponsible people that threaten the stability of the corporation. There should be a more rigid legislation regarding responsibilities within corporations.

What is the relationship between national identity and corporate culture?

The concept of a national identity refers both to the distinguishing features of the group, and to the individual's sense of belonging to it. This concept has to do with cultural construction via regulatory and socializing institutions of the state such as Law, education system, the media, etc. Corporate culture, by the other hand, is defined as a blend of the values, beliefs, taboos, symbols, rituals and myths all companies develop over time. Business's culture may be based on beliefs spelled out in the mission statement. Whatever shape it takes, corporate culture plays a big role in determining how well business will do. Both national identity and corporate culture aims at creating cultural elements, but in very different levels through different strategies.

The national identity has to do with the recognition of a culture and other elements within a specific area or territory whereas corporate culture deals with similar elements (Ex: Assumptions, norms, practices, etc.) within an organization. However, corporate culture form a part of the national identity framework.

source: http://www.entrepreneur.com/encyclopedia/term/82104.html

Here there are some definitions of Culture from different points of view:

1) Sociological point of view: the beliefs, way of life, art, and customs that are shared and accepted by people in a particular society.
(http://www.ldoceonline.com/Sociology-topic/culture_1)

2) Anthropological point of view: The system of shared beliefs, values, customs, behaviors, and artifacts that the members of society use to cope with their world and with one another, and that are transmitted from generation to generation through learning.
(http://www.umanitoba.ca/faculties/arts/anthropology/courses/122/module1/culture.html)

3) Psychological point of view: Culture is the set of ideas, behaviors, attitudes, and traditions that exist within large groups of people (usually of a common religion, family, or something similar). These ideas, behaviors, traditions, etc. are passed on from one generation to the next and are typically resistant to change over time.
(http://www.alleydog.com/glossary/definition.cfm?term=Culture)