Steve Beatty, the Head Salesperson of a Computer Company, Contracts

question 147

Short Answer

Steve Beatty, the head salesperson of a computer company, contracts with a supplier for technical equipment. Just before the winter holiday, a greeting card comes to his home address from the president of the supplier. In it, he finds a Best Buy gift card worth $500, with a note that says, "Go buy some toys for the kids." His children are excited, because they had been looking forward to getting some newly released video game equipment.
Beatty looks at his firm's formal code of ethics and finds that employees are cautioned not to accept gifts from suppliers for their own personal use. It does not specifically say that gifts for family members are included. He decides to keep the card.
Which of the following, if true, most clearly makes Beatty's action professionally unsupportable?
The supplier's low prices have helped the computer company remain competitive with rival companies in its local market.
The supplier needs continued business from the computer company to remain financially viable.
Beatty is not the only person responsible for recommending which bids to accept from suppliers.
Beatty's work contract states that employees must report all gifts from people associated with firms with which they do business.
Rumor has it that other employees also received similar gift cards from the supplier and did not report them.

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Definitions:

Milling Operation

A machining process that uses a rotating cutting tool to remove material from the surface of a workpiece, typically to achieve a desired shape or finish.

Metric System

A decimal system of weights and measures based on the meter, liter, and gram as units of length, capacity, and weight or mass, respectively.

Grade Number

A numerical designation representing the classification, quality, or performance level of a material or product.

Tolerance Zone

A specified range within which a part's dimensions or properties must lie to be acceptable for its intended purpose.