Ethics Scenario #61:Citizens for a Saner World

61. Petunia is the Director of Purchasing for the Citizens for a Saner World, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit tax-exempt organization, dedicated to reducing tensions among the global nuclear powers. The organization has affiliates in 40 states and 30 foreign countries, and all purchasing for the organization must be approved by Petunia. As the senior officer who buys supplies, travel, giveaways with the organization’s logo, telephones, and computers, Petunia is courted by manufacturers and distributors, hoping to convince her to steer the multi-million dollar business of the international organization their way. To entice her, it is not unusual for her to receive thank-yous from suppliers in the form of boxes of cookies, movie tickets, and flowers. But yesterday, she received two open tickets to Hawaii from a company that has been courting her to choose them to handle the organization’s travel business. She considers herself a professional, and doesn’t expect that receiving these tickets will influence her decision to choose this company over several others who are equally courting her for this business. So, she decides to keep and use the tickets, and sends a thank-you note to the travel company’s sales rep.

a. Is Petunia’s behavior ethical?