Ethics and Transparency as Vital Organizational Touchstones: Case of ExxonMobil in Liberia

Ethics and Transparency as Vital Organizational Touchstones: Case of ExxonMobil in Liberia
Case Code: CLBE029
Case Length: 4 Pages
Period: 2011-2018
Pub Date: 2023
Teaching Note: Available
Price: Rs.300
Organization: ExxonMobil
Industry:Energy/Retail
Countries : Liberia
Themes: International Business, Ethics in Business
Ethics and Transparency as Vital Organizational Touchstones: Case of ExxonMobil in Liberia

Abstract

The case describes how the US-based oil ExxonMobil acquired an oil block in Liberia, a war-torn African country, by bribing the officials. The block itself was the subject of a major controversy, as it was owned by politicians and ministers in the country. The issue was brought out by an advocacy group, leading to a probe.

Issues

  • Understand the cross cultural ethical issues faced by multinational organizations.
  • Draw the frameworks for ethical decision making.
  • Discuss the ways to combat corruption in international business.

Introduction

In April 2018, George Weah (Weah), President of Liberia, a West African country, ordered a probe into a US$ 120 million acquisition of offshore drilling block – Oil Block 13 – by US-based oil major Exxon Mobil Corp (Exxon). The probe came in the aftermath of a report by advocacy group Global Witness, which showed that Exxon had acquired the block in 2013 through a structured deal involving Canada-based oil company Canadian Overseas Petroleum Ltd. (COPL) in order to skirt US anti-corruption laws, as the ownership of the block was controversial. It was also alleged that Exxon had bribed six officials who approved the deal, including the son of a former president , through the Liberian oil agency National Oil Company of Liberia (NOCAL)..

Keywords

ExxonMobil; Bribery; Liberia; ethics; Ethics in Business; cross cultural ethics; corruption in international business; social responsibility

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