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4 - Enron narrative

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 June 2012

Hugh Willmott
Affiliation:
Cardiff Business School
Mollie Painter-Morland
Affiliation:
DePaul University, Chicago
René ten Bos
Affiliation:
Radboud Universiteit Nijmegen
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Summary

We're taking on the entrenched monopolies. In every business we've been in, we're the good guys…We're bringing the benefits of choice and free markets to the world.

I don't think Enron is that unusual. After all, we have a chief executive class which act like dictators of small Latin American countries.

Introduction

No business scandal has precipitated greater interest in the ethics of business than the spectacular rise and precipitous fall of Enron. Enron was widely acclaimed as a highly reputable, model company. It enjoyed the confidence of the banks and credit rating agencies as well as top-flight law and accounting firms. Celebrated by consultants and business school academics, Enron was praised for blazing a trail that other, less innovative and progressive firms were urged to follow. Companies aspiring to receive equivalent plaudits were entreated to emulate and outshine Enron, including its reputation for philanthropy. Following its collapse in 2001, many Enron executives were convicted of tax and securities fraud, insider dealing, money laundering, and other offences. Nonetheless, Enron continues to have its admirers and defenders.

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Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2011

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References

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