by Lisa Genasci

About the author: Lisa Genasci is a reporter for the Associated Press news service.

Bath Iron Works Corp. was in a quandary. A major customer had asked the boat builder to participate in an under-the-boards investigation of one of its suppliers. Although the customer was key to Bath’s survival, purchasing manager Patrick Thomas wasn’t sure how to handle the request. So he went to the company’s ethics officer, who in turn took the problem to the chief executive.

Within 12 hours the Maine company had established its position: It would not participate in the investigation unless the supplier was notified about what was going on. Eventually, the customer accepted Bath’s stand.

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