Using Business Case Study Scripts to Teach Real-World Ethics
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Case studies feel abstract—until students speak the dilemmas aloud. The Business Case Studies Readers Theater collection converts headlines into scripted debates that reveal every stakeholder’s voice. Below you’ll find two classroom-ready scenes—plus discussion starters and Econ 101.5 follow-ups—to turn ethics into action.
Sample Dialogue — Ford Safety Recall
Engineer: (worried) Our crash tests show a 1-in-5 fuel-tank rupture rate.
Finance VP: (calculating) A redesign adds $11 per vehicle. Multiply that by five million cars…
Legal Counsel: (neutral) Projected lawsuit payouts may still cost less than factory retooling.
CEO: (decisive) We need a numbers-plus-values approach. What’s the human cost?
Discussion Starters
- Cost vs. Safety: At what point does a company’s fiduciary duty clash with public welfare?
- Whistleblower Ethics: Who holds the moral high ground if internal data stays hidden?
- Stakeholder Mapping: List every group affected—shareholders, engineers, drivers, regulators—and rank their influence.
Mini-Scenario — The Gig-Economy Pay Debate
In a second script, a rideshare company weighs raising base pay while keeping ride costs low. Students debate:
- Dynamic pricing and surge wages
- Employee vs. contractor status
- Long-term brand loyalty vs. short-term profit
Econ 101.5 Lesson Extensions
After each performance, transition to quantitative analysis with the Econ 101.5 unit:
- Cost-Benefit Charts – Students plot redesign vs. recall payouts using real-world numbers.
- Elasticity Graphs – Model how wage increases might shift supply of gig drivers.
- Externalities Reflection – Write a paragraph on social costs not captured in balance sheets.
Teacher Tips
- Assign rotating “ethics auditors” to pause the script and question assumptions.
- Use colored name tents—blue (finance), red (legal), green (safety)—for quick visual cues.
- End with a “board vote” where students must defend their stance publicly.
👉 Explore the full Business Case Studies collection and let students wrestle with the real-world trade-offs every business faces.