Hostname: page-component-8448b6f56d-tj2md Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-24T17:22:00.610Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

An Ethical Analysis of Organizational Power at Salomon Brothers

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 January 2015

Abstract

Michael Lewis’ book, Liar's Poker, presents a scary picture of behavior within the investment community. While this portrayal is interesting in its own right, it presents us with an opportunity to subject real business behavior to analysis and suggestions for reform. As such, the issues raised here transcend a mere review of the book's plot and prose. Real business behavior, described in gory detail by Lewis, will provide the basis for a moral analysis. Machiavelli's The Prince will provide the framework for most of this analysis.

Type
Review Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Society for Business Ethics 1992

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Sarah Bartlett (1991) “Salomon's Errant Cowboy,The New York Times, August 25, 1991, section 3, pp. 1 and 10.Google Scholar
Anthony, Bianco (1991) “At Salomon, the King is Dead — But Few are Crying,Business Week, September 2, 1991, p. 68.Google Scholar
Michele, Galen, Leah, Nathans Spiro, Tim, Smart and Dean, Foust (1991) “Salomon: Honesty is the Gutsiest Policy,Business Week, September 16, 1991, pp. 100101.Google Scholar
Niccolo, Machiavelli (1988) The Prince, New York: Cambridge University Press.Google Scholar
Elton, Mayo (1925) “The Great Stupidity,Harper's, pp. 151, 225233.Google Scholar
Gary, Weiss, Leah, Nathans Spiro and Dean, Foust (1991) “Clearing the Wreckage,Business Week, September 2, 1991, pp. 6670.Google Scholar
Tom, Wolfe (1987) The Bonfire of the Vanities, New York: Farrar, Straus Giroux.Google Scholar