The Great Ethical Dilemma: Leaders Paving the Way for Industry Leaders

The Lang School empowers students to use 'Business as a Force for Good', with first-year students participating in The Great Ethical Dilemma, a case competition that fosters business ethics and morals. As part of their Introduction to Business course (MGMT*1000), students work in teams to analyze companies across various industries, conducting thorough situational research throughout the semester. This culminates in a live competition where they respond to an ethical dilemma given 36 hours, presenting their solutions to executive judges from participating companies.

This year, students were tasked with facing an ethical dilemma within the Construction & DIY Retail industry, or the Food Manufacturing, Distrubution and Service industry. Each dilemma contained its own unique set of challenges, where students prepared and presented their solutions to industry professionals, faculty, and staff. Hundreds of students convened in Macdonald Hall to view the final results, and winning teams were announced at the end of the day. Winners gathered for a closing ceremony presented by Associate Dean, Academic, Kathleen Rodenburg, and Judges spoke to the successes of their respective winners’ pitch.

Chad Dommasch, Managing Partner of Canadian Door Doctor, who role played as a member of the Executive Board of Directors for Griffon Corp for the teams tasked with this company. “It was inspiring to see future Canadian leaders being brought up in such a wonderful school,” said Chad. “There were no weak presentations that we saw, everyone had a different angle and there were a couple that set themselves apart from others, mostly in preparedness and confidence but all-in-all very inspiring to see the program here at the Lang School of Business and Economics.”

"The Great Ethical Dilemma is a unique opportunity for first-year students to tackle complex problems and present thoughtful solutions to industry leaders. I am incredibly proud of this cohort for their calibre of work and professionalism. The future is bright for the Lang School of Business and Economics."

- Jonathan Parkes, Introduction to Business Co-Instructor