10,000 Jobs

Written by – Kaushal Vasa (19D, Section A8)

Silas: “To summarise, our recommendation is that you do not go ahead with this
development project. Yes, you will profit heavily if you build hotels and establishments next
to the forest given how many tourists could potentially visit every year. There is also
creating 10,000 jobs in an area that has 50,000 people living in extreme poor conditions. But
you will end up wiping out 20% of the forest area. To top that, you will most likely face
regulatory hurdles when dealing with the Kenyan Government to acquire land and rights to
build the project.”

Walter: “I understand. I am quite surprised you are recommending against this project,
given that you come from that part of Kenya. They are your people, and I would have
thought you will want to help create jobs there.”

Silas: “Not at the cost of environmental damage and illegal Government dealings. That is
against the core values of our consulting firm.”

Walter: “Yes. For someone who has lived in such poverty, made it big in life and is now
Partner at one of the world’s biggest consulting firms, I would have thought your
recommendation would be swayed by personal biases. I am glad you remained objective in
your advice to us. I appreciate it.”

Silas: “That is what you get for $100K a week!”

Walter: “Haha! Alright let’s go get a few drinks now that you have ensured we give up on
one of the most profitable project proposals I had in a while. Cannot believe I am going to
give up millions just to save some forests.”

-------

Walter: “Silas that’s your 10th drink of the night. Are you sure you can handle it?”

Silas: “I have only just begun mate!”

Walter: “Mr. White in front of your associates and ‘mate’ in the bar. Only you can keep your
personal and professional life so separate from each other.”

Silas: “I must. I have to lead by example.”

Walter: “I wish my friend was advising me in there. I would have had a fantastic project on
my hands.”

Silas: “It pained me to ask you not to take up the project. Those jobs can really uplift the life
of thousands of my fellow countrymen.”
Walter: “You can still change your recommendation, you know?”

Silas: “I cannot. It is against my firm values to encourage destruction of environment. You

will also be paying bribes to get regulatory approvals. I can never recommend such a project
representing my firm.”

Walter: “I understand. Unfortunately I cannot convince my Board members without your

firm’s go ahead. So this project is definitely not happening.”

Silas: “I know 4 of your Board members really well. Their own companies are my clients too,
and I have worked on many cases with them.”

Walter: “Umm, so?”

Silas: “Ever since I took this case up, I have been trying to find solid reasons for it to work.
But the truth is that 20% of the forest will be wiped out. And yes you must pay the
Government ‘under the table’ for the project to materialize. Representing my firm, I cannot
advice you to go ahead. But personally, I cannot help but urge you to take this project up.”

Walter: “I can’t without my Board’s approval, which was dependent on your firm’s
recommendation.”

Silas: “I know enough Board members for us to talk to them off the record. I can tell them
why I cannot go on record recommending the project, but why it makes sense for you guys
to still go ahead with it. I am sure I can convince them. It just must be off the record, and no
one at the firm can know I played a role.”

Walter: “The Board will never agree to the bribes. They may still be okay with the forests vs
jobs argument.”

Silas: “We will not bring up the bribes. I know a firm in Kenya that does this so companies
like yours are protected. You pay them a fee for ‘project management’ and they pay cash to
the right people in the Government.”

Walter: “Silas! You shady son of a-“

Silas: “10,000 jobs are more important than a few forests and politicians that won’t do
anything without personal gain. Greater good.”

Walter: “10,001 jobs mate. I need this project to meet my 3-year targets or I am sure I’ll be
replaced. I need this just as badly.”

Silas: “Let’s meet with the Board members we both get along with for golf this weekend.
Once we have their buy-in, I will put you in touch with the firm that will help you get the
Project.”

Walter: “Fantastic. Btw, doesn’t “Silas” mean ‘forests’ in Greek?”

 Appendix
• What ethical issue(s) does the case illustrate?

a) Deciding on human jobs vs environmental damage

b) Bribes – ethical or not to get business done in countries where business can’t be
done without bribes’
c) Business goals – whether rationalising a decision that is detrimental to the
environment if it helps personal business goals.

• Why would the case be interesting to discuss in a classroom? (Generally, ethics cases
are uninteresting when everyone agrees. They work best when there is
disagreement that leads to debate.)

Many of the folks in a business school like INSEAD have differing opinions on environmental
damage, bribery etc. For eg., as I come from India – an emerging economy, I find it perfectly
ethical to pay bribes as it’s a business condition / need in India. Without bribes one may not
be able to do business at all. But for someone coming from developed countries – this may
not sit well. Similarly on environment vs jobs, I would prioritise jobs because I find it more
critical – while others may find environment to be more critical.

• What are some “teaching points” that can be made when discussing the case?

There is no right or wrong in a case like this, it is just point of view and prioritizing.
Sometimes business decisions are not completely ‘ethical’ from all points of view, but they
are still taken because to the decision-maker, one thing maybe more important than the
other.