When Robin and Rich Ask for a Client's Financial Statements

When Robin and Rich ask for a client's financial statements in order to complete the data collection for their strategic management project, the owner of the business tells Robin that his accountants are "preparing the financials but these won't be ready for several months." The client instead suggests that Robin and Rich fabricate the financials instead, since what he "really wants is a marketing plan," and that "no one will ever know if you've seen the actual financials or not." Which of the following should NOT guide Robin and Rich in their decision whether or not to take this as an authorization to submit false data as part of their final report?

A) the pervasiveness of immoral and amoral businesspeople
B) overzealous pursuit of personal gain, wealth, and other selfish interests
C) a company or campus culture that places good business performance and good grades ahead of ethical behavior
D) heavy pressures on students to meet or beat assignment deadlines
E) their desire to complete the project, independent of their actual performance on the project