An International Officer Mr. A has indicated to an overseas agent- Mr. B that he is
underperforming against targets and needs to meet to discuss this. Mr. A (aware of the
severity and seriousness of the issue) arranges the meeting so that it takes place in the late
afternoon. Mr. A makes clear that the agent’s performance is such that there is serious
doubt as to whether the contract will be renewed when it expires. The agent- Mr. B is
apologetic, offers some reasons for underperformance, and offers to take Mr. A out for a
‘quick bite to eat’ as it is the end of the day, and there are still one or two things he’d like
to discuss. The ‘quick bite’ turns out to be dinner at an expensive restaurant, with plenty
of food and drink on offer. The Officer indicates that the level of hospitality is
inappropriate, but the agent insists that such hospitality is a cultural norm for his country.
Towards the end of the meal, the agent presents the Officer with an expensive gift-wrapped
watch as a token of his esteem for the University and to show his intention to try harder in
order to meet his targets.
1. What is the agent trying to do? What is his intention?
2. Is this case similar to the concepts you have read? Explain and justify your answer
3. What would you do if you were in place of Mr. A?
Answers
Explanation:
An International Officer Mr. A has indicated to an overseas agent- Mr. B that he is
underperforming against targets and needs to meet to discuss this. Mr. A (aware of the
severity and seriousness of the issue) arranges the meeting so that it takes place in the late
afternoon. Mr. A makes clear that the agent’s performance is such that there is serious
doubt as to whether the contract will be renewed when it expires. The agent- Mr. B is
apologetic, offers some reasons for underperformance, and offers to take Mr. A out for a
‘quick bite to eat’ as it is the end of the day, and there are still one or two things he’d like
to discuss. The ‘quick bite’ turns out to be dinner at an expensive restaurant, with plenty
of food and drink on offer. The Officer indicates that the level of hospitality is
inappropriate, but the agent insists that such hospitality is a cultural norm for his country.
Towards the end of the meal, the agent presents the Officer with an expensive gift-wrapped
watch as a token of his esteem for the University and to show his intention to try harder in
order to meet his targets.
1. What is the agent trying to do? What is his intention?
2. Is this case similar to the concepts you have read? Explain and justify your answer
3. What would you do if you were in place of Mr. A?
An International Officer Mr. A has indicated to an overseas agent- Mr. B that he is
underperforming against targets and needs to meet to discuss this. Mr. A (aware of the
severity and seriousness of the issue) arranges the meeting so that it takes place in the late
afternoon. Mr. A makes clear that the agent’s performance is such that there is serious
doubt as to whether the contract will be renewed when it expires. The agent- Mr. B is
apologetic, offers some reasons for underperformance, and offers to take Mr. A out for a
‘quick bite to eat’ as it is the end of the day, and there are still one or two things he’d like
to discuss. The ‘quick bite’ turns out to be dinner at an expensive restaurant, with plenty
of food and drink on offer. The Officer indicates that the level of hospitality is
injwjwjejejte, but the agent insists that such hospita
lity is a cultural norm for his country.
Towards the end of the meal, the agent presents the Officer with an expensive gift-wrapped
watch as a token of his esteem for the University and to show his intention to try harder in
order to meet his targets.
1. What is the agent trying to do? What is his intention?
2. Is this case similar to the concepts you have read? Explain and justify your answer
3. What would you do if you were in place of Mr. A?