11264-8-5P

AID: 1825 | 18/04/2014

In the Ford motor company case, the Engineers had documented false information in the
Emission reports conducted by the Ford motor company. They failed to exhibit the ethics
which are to be followed in such professional works. They had made a process violation
(by incorporating several changes in the engine design during testing) in the tests to be
conducted on the new engine.
Whereas in BART case (Bay Area Rapid Transit system), the Engineers had been
concerned about the safety issues in the design and desired to avert the accidents that
could happen if the same design is implemented without any changes. They had also
conveyed the list of all the safety issues to their immediate reporting personnel of the
company. But the response on these flaws in the design was not addressed adequately by
their supervisors. Knowing about the seriousness of the problem and the mishaps that
could happen, the Engineers had addressed the issue to some members of the board of
directors of the company. As they failed to obey the reporting sequence of the company,
they were dismissed and the issues they addressed were kept unnoticed. But, as they
rightly insisted several accidents have taken place after its implementation. So, after
realizing the nature and severity of issues the company has made changes in the design.
The similarity between the two cases is discussed below.
In both the cases the Engineers who were in the execution stage were the sole
responsibility for the issues. Only the behavior was different.
The difference between the two cases is discussed below.
In the Ford motor company case, due to the unethical and incompetent behavior of
Engineers, the company has to expend the fine amount and to deal with the law suits that
were placed before it. Though, the Engineers presumed that they have been fostering the
companys growth, they had tainted themselves due to their unethical behavior. They had
also made a huge amount of money to be paid as fine due to the false reports in the
Emission tests. On the whole, they did not obey the code of conducts which were set
forth for the Engineers and also reduced the eminence of their company.
In the BART case, the company had lost its reputation by not considering the severity of
the issues that the Engineers had addressed and swung into a dismissal action upon the
three Engineers. The Engineers had a sense of social responsibility which they should
possess. Although they did not obey the order of reporting, they had tried to eliminate the
flaws. But the company failed to hear the issues and it lost its fame only because of its
actions.