What happens when personal values and beliefs conflict with business decisions? This case, suitable for MBA, undergraduate, and executive learners, prompts engaging discussion of this issue. Oliver Sparling was a highly successful senior analyst at AFI International, a top consulting firm in Chicago with an open and tolerant workplace. He was also a gay man who had lived happily with his partner for over 10 years. Sparling encounters trouble, however, when one of the firm's clients, Bible Books, Inc., takes exception to his “inappropriate” openness about his sexuality (including wearing his commitment band). Sparling's boss calls him into the office and asks him to tone it down when he's at Bible Books, Inc. “These are not easy economic times,” said the boss. “And this project is a big one for us. Basically, you're doing the company a favor if you lay low, and once the project is finished, it will be like it never happened. Besides, you know that you don't have anything to hide while you're at home here in Chicago. This is just for when you are in Birmingham.” Sparling must decide what course of action to take.
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Case Study|
January 20 2017
Oliver Sparling and Bible Books, Inc.
This case was prepared by Jonathan Neeley, Research Assistant, under the supervision of Andrew C. Wicks, Associate Professor of Business Administration, and Jenny Mead, Senior Researcher. It was written as a basis for class discussion rather than to illustrate effective or ineffective handling of an administrative situation.
Online ISSN: 1111-111X
Print ISSN: 1111-111X
Copyright © 2010 by the University of Virginia Darden School Foundation, Charlottesville, VA. All rights reserved.
2010
University of Virginia Darden School Foundation
Licensed re-use rights only. To order copies, send an e-mail to sales@dardenbusinesspublishing.com. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, used in a spreadsheet, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise—without the permission of the Darden School Foundation.
Teaching Notes 1–2.
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Wicks AC, Neeley J, Mead J (2017;), "Oliver Sparling and Bible Books, Inc.". Teaching Notes, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print.
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