As a new systems analyst at Premier Financial Services, you are getting quite an education. Youreport to Mary, the IT manager, who also chairs the systems review committee. Severalmonths ago, the committee rejected a request from Jack, the finance director, for an expensive new accounts payable system, because the benefits did not appear to outweigh the costs.Yesterday, Mary's boss called her in and asked her to reconsider Jack's request, and topersuade the other members to approve it. Mary wanted to discuss the merits of therequest, but he cut her off rather abruptly. Mary happens to know that Jack and her bossare longtime friends.Mary has confided in you. She is very uncomfortable about the meeting with her boss,and she believes that his request would undermine the integrity of the systems review process. Mary feels it would be unethical to grant preferred treatment just because a friendshipis involved. She is thinking of submitting a request to step down as review committee chair,even though that might harm her career at the company.
1. Is this an ethical question, or just a matter of office politics? What would you say to Mary?