Hi Lee, et al.

Here's a suggestion:

Show the film When Products Harm (33 minutes):
http://www.commonwealthfilms.com/1304.htm

Then ask the class to discuss the film in breakout groups.  Here are
some possible questions:

1.  In hindsight, if you were a general manager at Continental, what
would you have done differently to prevent liability in this case?  

2.  If you were on the jury, how would you vote:  (a) Continental
Products Corporation is not liable for damages, (b) Continental is
liable for actual damages but not punitive damages, or (c) Continental
is liable for actual and punitive damages?  If you voted for (c), what
amount would you award in punitive damages?  

Following the breakout group discussion, you could reassemble the class
to discuss their results.  Another option--depending on time
constraints--is to discuss the film in class without first breaking out
into small groups.  

As an aside, I use the above questions in a written assignment.  A
doctor in the class, who was highly critical of the legal system and
jury awards throughout the course, awarded the highest amount of
punitive damage against the company.  As I recall, it was in the
neighborhood of $50 million. 

Hope this helps.  Also hope that the Bulldogs have recovered from
Tennessee and that Bruce Fisher hasn't rubbed it in too much.

George


-----Original Message-----
From: Academy of Legal Studies in Business (ALSB) Talk
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Lee Reed
Sent: Wednesday, October 20, 2004 1:43 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: EMBA Materials


Hi Everyone,

I'm looking for some in-class exercises that will be
valuable for my 40 EMBA students, average age 35, many with significant
entrpreneurial or executive-level experience. If you have suggestions
and materials that you're willing to pass on to me, I will be much
appreciative. I'm thinking along the lines of something involving a
contract negotiation problem, a managerially-related tort crisis, a
corporate governance dilemma, an employment discrimination blowup, the
deposition from hell -- that sort of thing. Maybe it will require the
whole class to participate. Maybe it will require teams to compete for
solutions. I'm open to different approaches. You may contact me
privately at [log in to unmask]

Many thanks,
Lee