Document Type
Book Chapter
Publication Date
2004
Abstract
In this article, I explore the contention of Jeffrey Skilling, former Enron CEO, that Enron's debacle was due to a perfect storm of events. I reject his contention, arguing instead that Enron's downfall was more like Titanic's - hubris and an over-reliance on checks and balances led to Enron's downfall. I then explore how character (especially of those at the top of an organization) can lead to Enron-like disasters, and I talk about how cognitive dissonance can lead to very smart people making very stupid decisions. I end with some musings about how lawyers can learn from Enron.
Publication Citation
Rapoport, Nancy B., Enron, Titanic, and the Perfect Storm (2004). ENRON: CORPORATE FIASCOS AND THEIR IMPLICATIONS, Nancy B. Rapoport & Bala G. Dharan, eds., Foundation Press, 2004.
Recommended Citation
Rapoport, Nancy B., "Enron, Titanic, and the Perfect Storm" (2004). Scholarly Works. 149.
https://scholars.law.unlv.edu/facpub/149