Business Case Studies & Business Publications

Schmidt Press and Mekkanischer Wahnsinn

Wicks, Andrew C., ...

Case

Schmidt Press and Mekkanischer Wahnsinn

Wicks, Andrew C.; Mead, Jenny

E-0387 | Published August 12, 2013 | 3 pages Case

Collection: Darden School of Business

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Learning Objectives

The owner of the small Berlin-based Schmidt Press encounters a dilemma when she is given the opportunity to publish a novel about a Muslim woman who attempts to lead an underground movement to take control of the Kaaba, the holy sanctuary at Mecca. Given the events of the prior 25 years—such as the angry fallout after Salman Rushdie's novel The Satanic Verses, the 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States, the upheaval in many Middle Eastern countries—publishing the novel presents a host of various ethical dilemmas, including whether Schmidt should put her staff at risk. This case discusses the ethics of a free press and challenges the profit motive in the face of political and religious world affairs.

1. Introduce the idea of cultural relativism and how to address it in decision making. 2. Demonstrate the complexity of business decision making including social, cultural, religious, political, legal, and business elements. 3. Raise awareness and understanding of cultural and religious differences between the West and the Islamic world.