Utility deregulation and business ethics: More openness through gaming/simulation

Abstract

Deregulation in the utilities industry is putting pressure on the utility companies to operate more efficiently. This efficiency drive seems to have had an impact on commitment to established safety procedures and ethical standards. Analyzing three major corporate accidents in the nuclear power generation industry, the author came to the conclusion that the lowering of ethical standards was the root cause of the accidents, resulting in severe damage to public image and profit. The author also found that maintaining effective communication through openness is the main leverage in preventing deterioration of ethical standards and practices and, thus, reducing the risk of major accidents occurring. The approach selected for teaching and training of business ethics and openness was learning by doing with the help of gaming/simulation. By using this approach, the author developed two gaming/simulation exercises, the RESCUE TEAM and the KING OF FISHERMEN.

Keywords

corporate accident deregulation ethical standard gaming/simulation learning by doing openness utilities industry

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