Unit 5 Notes

UNIT 5
GLOBAL ISSUES
5.1 INTRODUCTION
In the recent past, engineering and technology have shrunk the world and society.
Our lives are increasingly dependent upon the goods/services produced over the world and
are influenced by the business from around all the corners of the world, in general, world
has become a global village and have a global economy. As workers and/or consumers, we
live in this global market place. Moreover, a countrys economy well-being. National
security, political stability, and biological existence are interdependent on other countries.
The increasing international flow of capital, technology, trade, and people have had
the effects of changing the nature of local organizations, governments and people of
countries, and have led to social changes and developments.
For our contest, the world global means to both the international context of
engineering and the increasingly pervasive social and environmental dimensions of work of
engineers. Thus, engineering as social experimenters, they should have the awareness about
global issues in order to deal with various aspects of professional interactions. Especially,
engineers require the wider perspective on their endeavors as employees of multinational
companies, and in dealing with the environment, computers, and weapons development.
In the chapter, we shall explore the following four important dimensions of global
issues, in detail.
1. Multinational corporations,
2. Environmental ethics,
3. Computer ethics and
4. Weapons development.
MULTINATIONAL CORPORATIONS
5.2.1 MULTINATIONAL CORPORATIONS (MNCs)
What are Multinational corporations (MNCs)?

Large corporations having investment and business in a number in a number of
countries are known as the multinational or transnational corporations.
For example, Smith Kline Beecham, Unilever, Ford, Toyota, Sony, LG, P&G,
Hindustan lever, Johnson & Johnson, ITC, Ponds, Etc., are MNCs.
When a corporation to be called as a MNC?
A corporation can be called as a MNV, only when the following five criteria are met.
1. Operations are spread in many countries, which are at different levels of development.
2. Its local subsidiaries are managed by nationals.
3. Its maintains industrial organizations including R&D and manufacturing facilities in
several countries.
4. It has a multinational central management.
5. It has a multinational stock ownership.
The benefits to MNCs of doing their business in underdevelopment and developing
countries are:
i. Cheap labor.
ii. Availability of natural resources.
iii. Flexible and favorable tax arrangements and
iv. New marks for their products.
Dr.V.Ambeth Kumar, Associate Professor, CSE, Panimalar Engineering College, Chennai.

v. The benefits to the participant countries.
vi. New job opportunities.
vii. Jobs with higher pay and greater challenge.
viii. Increase of national income
ix. Transfer of advanced technology and
x. Other social benefits from sharing wealth.
Besides business and social complications, there are several moral and ethical problems
arise because of these multinational corporations. Some of the questions explaining the
moral difficulties involved are:
Was this legal MNC business morally permissible?
Who benefits more and who loses more, when MNC does outsourcing?
Are the host countries lose their resources, control over its own trade, and political
independence? In what ways? And How Much?
Which standards should engineers follow when working in foreign countries?
What are the moral responsibilities of engineering MNCs doing business in under
developed and developing countries?
What are the moral responsibilities of engineers working in foreign countries?
Next, let us discuss the ways in which responsibilities are values relatives to particular societies.
5.2.2 Three Senses Of Relative Valves
There are four important versions of relativism, depending on the way in which
values are related, they are:
1. Ethical Relativism
Ethical relativism says that actions are morally right when (and because) they are
approved by law or custom; they are wrong when they violate laws or customs.
This view is considered false, because it implies absurdities. Also it justifies genocide
and other ridiculous behaviors.
2. Descriptive Relativism
Descriptive relativism states that beliefs about values differ from culture to culture.
This view is obviously true, but it does not establish the various differences between
the moral beliefs and attitudes of various cultures.
3. Moral Relationalism (Or Contextualism)
Moral relationalism views that moral judgment should be made in relation to factors
that may vary from case to case, because formulating simple and absolute rules
involving moral judgment is impossible. In other words moral judgments are
contextual in nature.
This view is also obviously true. It emphasis that the customs of cultures require us to
adjust moral judgments and conduct.
4. Ethical Pluralism
According to this view, there may be alternative moral perspectives that are
reasonable; but no one of which must be accepted completely by all rational and morally
concerned persons.

Therefore it is evident that relationalism is essential in MNC, as MNCs
involves/requires different cultural conventions. But relationalism only says that
foreign customs are mostly morally relevant. But the ethical relativism says that
foreign customs are self-authoritative in determining what should be done. Above all,
the ethical pluralism is very much relevant to the working nature of MNCs. Because in
MNCs, there may be a number of morally permissible variations in formulating, and
understanding and applying basic moral principles.
5.2.3 INTERNATIONAL RIGHTS
The multinational corporations should recognize and strictly adhere to the international
rights. The MNCs, operating their business at foreign countries, should understand the
necessity and the importance of those rights.
International rights are human rights. But international rights are more specific than the
most abstract human rights t liberty and fairness.
Thomas Donaldson, in his book The Ethics of International Business, has listed ten
international rights. They are:
1. The right to freedom of physical movement.
2. The right to ownership of property.
3. The right to freedom from torture.
4. The right to a fair trial.
5. The right to nondiscriminatory treatment i.e., freedom from discrimination on the
basis of characteristics such as race or sex.
6. The right to physical security.
7. The right to freedom of speech and association.
8. The right to minimal education.
9. The right to political participation.
10. The right to subsistence.
The MNCs and their employers have to obey the above human rights while exercising
their business fail, even when the host countries, laws and customs do not recognize
those rights.
At some situations, those rights need not to be applied contextually by taking into
consideration the economy, laws, and customs of host countries.
5.2.4 WAYS OF PROMOTING MORALLY JUST MEASURES
According to Richard T. De George, MNCs should promote morally just measures

even though the host countries standards might be lower, especially when developed
countries do business in developing and developed countries. He also emphasized that a
situational, case-by-case approach is required in applying human rights principles and
promoting the benefit of the host counting.
Some of the ways to promote morally justifiable measures are given below.
MNCs should respect the basic rights of people of the host countries.
The activities of MNCs should provide the most good for the most people of the host
counties. That is, MNCs should accomplish more overall good than bad to the host
countries.
The MNCs should help the host countries overall economy and their employees.
The MNCs should also make sure that their products does not cause any harms to the
customers.
The MNCs should respect the laws and culture of the host countries without violating the
basic moral rights.
The MNCs should have more concern for the welfare of their employers, especially to
the employees of the host country. The fair ways and working conditions are essential for
the employers. Also MNCs should pay employees for the extra risk they undertake.
5.2.5 TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER AND APPROPRIATE TECHNOLOGY

What is technology transfer?
Technology transfer is the process of moving technology to q quite new set of
conditions and implementing it there.
Technology consists both hardware such as machines and installations and technique
such as technical, organizational, and managerial skills and procedures.
The transfer of technology may be conducted by a variety of agents such as
governments, universities, volunteer service organizations, consulting companies,
and MNCs
What is meant by appropriate technology?
Appropriate technology is a generic concept that applies under social aspects when
transferring technologies.
Appropriate technology refers identification, transfer, and implementation of the
most suitable technology for a new set of conditions.
Appropriate should be examined form scale, materials, physical environment, capital
costs and above all human values.
Appropriate technology also emphasizes that the technology should contribute to
sustainable development of the host country.
What is meant by intermediate technology?
Intermediate technology is a typical appropriate technology, when is found in
between advanced and primitive technologies.
The applications of intermediate technologies are move meaningful and beneficial
than that of the most advanced technologies. Because the most advanced
technologies may cause certain undesirable side effects such as mass migration from
rural areas to urban cities where companies tend to locate.
Thus appropriate and intermediate technologies reinforce and amplify the view of
engineering as social experimentation.
ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS
5.3.1 INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS
Most of us aware of the importance of the environment for our own well-being. Much
of our life is spent coping with it, enjoying it, or escaping from it. Until recently, most of us
have not bothered about the impact of our behavior on the environment. It seems that we have
been content to assume that the environment could and would look after itself. Therefore the
negative impact of our lifestyles on the world around us could be safely ignored or escaped
by simply moving on.
The short listed character of this approach is now becoming inescapably obvious.
Acid rain is beginning to have a devastating impact on forests, agriculture, and water
resources. The great lakes basin has become a repository for many of the deadliest chemicals
known. Our energy resources are being depleted. Nuclear power, once seen as a future source
of unlimited, inexpensive energy, has become a source of serious concern on a number
counts: the threats of leaks accidents, the as-yet-unsolved problem of string nuclear wastes,
and the long-term hazards of uranium mine tailings, and so on. Our forests and soils, too, are
being severely depleted. Many species of animal life are extinct or endangered, and our
treatment of animals generally has come under increasing critical scrutiny. The list can be
extended in definitely.
In the following sections, we shall discuss various issues in environmental ethics and
the role of engineers concerning environment.
What is meant by environmental ethics?

Literally, environmental ethics means conscious efforts to protect an environment and
to maintain its stability from the hazardous pollutants.
Environmental ethic is the study to explore the ethical roots of the environmental
movement and to understand what ethics tells us about our responsibility to the
environment.
What can environmental ethics can do for us?
Whatever ethics can do for us when applied to non-environmental concerns,
environmental ethics can do for you when applied to environmental concerns.
5.3.2 ENGINEERS AND THE ENVIRONMENT
It is evident that engineers are usually creators of technology that contributes to

environmental degradation as well as environmental improvements; therefore they should
have a professional obligation to protect the environment. Also as agents of change and
experimenters, engineers have a vital role to play in protecting the environment.
1. Types of Concern for Environment

There are two types of concern for the environment. They are:
i. Health-related concern: Engineers can be concerned for the environment
when environmental pollution poses a direct and clear threat to human health.
This is called as a health-related concern for the environment.
ii. Non-health-related concern: Engineers can also be concerned for the
environment even when human wealth is not directly affected. This concern is
termed as non-health-related concern for the environment.
2. Engineers Concern for Environment
While choosing a career or when taking up a new assignment/job, every engineer
should ask himself the following ethical questions associated with the environment.
How does and to what extent a particular industry affect the environment?
How far such ill effects can be controlled physically and/or politically?
What is the reasonable protective measure available for immediate
implementation?
In what way, I can be effective as an engineer in ensuring safe and clean
environment?
What are my responsibilities in this regard?
Should preserving the environment and its non-human inhabitants be regarded
as of value for its own sake?
Do I have obligations for the future?
How are my obligations to the future to be balanced against my obligations to
the present?
Do I belong to nature, or does nature belong to me?
If animals can suffer and feel pain like humans, should I have moral standing?
What does professional codes of ethics say about the environment?

Some of the professional codes of ethics regarding the environment are given below:
1. The codes of American society of civil engineers(ASCE) states:
Engineers should be committed to improving the environment by adherence to the
principles of sustainable development so as to enhance the quality of life of the
general public.
2. The Codes Of The Institute Of Electrical And Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
states: Engineers have to accept responsibility in making engineering decisions
consistent with the safety, health and welfare of the public, and to disclose
promptly factors that might endanger the public or the environment.
3. The Codes Of The American Society Of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) States:
Engineers shall consider environmental impact in the performance or their
professional duties.
5.3.3 APPROACHES TO RESOLVE ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS

The two important approaches that can be applied to resolve environmental problems are:
1. Cost-oblivious approaches, and
2. Approach based on cost-benefit analysis.
1. Cost-oblivious Approach
In this approach, priority is given to the protection of environment than the
cost of the product designed by the engineers.
This approach does not accept/tolerate any environmental degradation.
Also this approach satisfies the concept of eight
Drawback: This approach is difficult to sustain and enforce in a modern
urbanized society.
2 Approach based on Cost-benefit Analysis
In this approach, the problem is analyzed in terms of the benefits derived by
reducing the pollution and the costs required to solve the problem. In fact,
this approach is derived form the concept of utilitarianism.
In other words, the objective is not to achieve a completely clean
environment, but to achieve an economically beneficial balance of pollution
with health or environmental considerations.
Drawback: It is very difficult to determine the true cost of a human life or
the loss of a species; and also it is very difficult accurately assess costs and
benefits.
5.3.4 INTERNALIZING COSTS OF ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION
As we know, the cost of any product usually includes direct labor cost, direct materials cost,
direct expenses, factory expenses, administrative expenses, and selling and the effects of pollution,
the depletion of energy and raw materials, and social costs are not considered. But in order to
determine the true cost of the product, all those costs should be internalized i.e., added to the price.
Along with the economists, the scientists, the lawyers, and the politicians, engineers have to
play an important role in finding acceptable mechanisms for pricing and releasing products. It should
be realized that the good engineering design process can provide the answers to protect the
environment without any addition of real cost.
5.3.5 TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
Technology assessment refers to the studies on the social and environmental
effects of technology in various areas. The areas include nuclear war, health care,
cashless trading via bank-card, and pollution.
In the view of the economist Robert Theo bald, engineers sometimes tend to find
the right answers to the wrong questions. He also emphasized that the university
curriculum should be based on the finding right answers to the right questions.
When the engineers and scientists conduct experiments, they should distill the
information collected through normative, conceptual, and factual inquiries, as
depicted in fig 7.1.
As shown in fig.7.1. engineers should use the funnel for distilling and applying
knowledge to design and build the engineering projects.
The difficulty in technology assessment is to explore the extent of the effects and
to prioritize the possible adverse effects.
Thus it should be noted that engineers as social experimenters should do
continuous monitoring even after implementing the project so that to ensure safe
and clean environment.
5.3.6 PHILOSOPHICAL VIEW OF NATURE

Though there are various views on environment, now we shall brief four important views of it.
1. Sentient-Centered Ethics
This view acknowledges the inherent worth of all sentient animals. Sentient animals
are those that feel pain and pleasure and have desires.
Peter Singer, in his book Animal Liberation, emphasizes that moral judgments must
take into account the effects of our actions on sentient animals. For example, while
constructing a dam or a plant engineers should consider the impact on animals living
there.
According to Tom Regan, conscious creatures have inherent worth not only because
they can feel pleasure and pain, but also because they are subjects of experiences who
form belief memories, intentions, preferences, and can act purposefully.
Both Singer and Ragan felt that the sentient animals need not to be treated in the
identical way we treat humans. But their interest should be weighed equally with
human interests in making decisions.
2. Biocentric Ethics
This life-centered ethics recognizes that all living organisms as having inherent
worth.
According to Albert Schweitzer, all organisms have the reverence for the life to
survive and to develop.
3. Ecocentric Ethics
In contrast to the individualistic approaches of sentient-centered and
biocentered ethics, ecocentered ethics emphasizes inherent value in ecological
systems.
According to the naturalist Aldo Leopold, a thing is right when it tends to
preserve the integrity, stability, and beauty of the biotic community.
4. Human-Centered Environmental Ethics
Human-centered ethics environmental ethics extends traditional ethical theories in
the aspect of the threads to human beings presented by the destruction of nature.
Virtue ethics draws attention to humility, appreciation of beauty, love, and
affection and gratitude towards the world of nature.
Right ethics stresses that the fundamental right to life enforces a right for livable
environment in a particular period of time, when pollution and depletion of
resources has reached a dangerous proportion.
Duty ethics urges that the respect for human life implies more concern for nature
than has been traditionally recognized.
Utilitarianism stresses that human pleasures and self-interests are linked to nature
in so many ways apart from the stage the engineering products are produced form
natural resources.

COMPUTER ETHICS
5.4.1 INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER ETHICS
The computer is considered one of the most important technological advances of the
twentieth century. As the general public becomes increasingly computer literate, the gap
between technology and peoples intellect notably shrinks. The readily available computers,
software, and assorted output devices have enlightened many. It is becoming increasingly
important, as computers become the technological backbone of modern society. But, in turn,
they have increased the using of computers for unethical activities, privacy invasion and
illegal purposes leading to serious ethical issues. Some of the issues arise due to computer
abuse are: hacking, cyber crimes, computer virus, software piracy, cyber squatting, and
internet defamation.
Legal sanctions against abusive use of computers are a reactive approach. A proactive
approach is to teach engineering student about computer ethics in classrooms. It is anticipated
that through this study of computer ethics, students will personalize the need for developing
ethical standards of behavior as computer users. Therefore they will develop their code of
ethical behavior as designers, programmers, managers, and system analyst. The engineers
should have the moral responsibility to help promote the ethical use of computers. It is
therefore important for computer professionals, engineers, policy makers, leaders, teachers,
and social thinkers to get involved in the social and ethical impacts of this communication
technology.
What is computer ethics?

Computer ethics is the study of ethical issues that are associated primarily with computing
machines and the computing profession.
It is the field of applied professional ethics dealing with ethical problems aggravated,
transformed, or created by computer technology.
Cyber ethics is the field of applied ethics that examines moral, legal, and social issues in
the development and use of cyber technology.
Cyber technology refers to a broad range of technologies from stand-alone computers to the
cluster of networked computing, information and communication technologies.
Thus computer ethics is analysis of the nature and social impact of computer technology
and the corresponding formulation and justification policies for the ethical use of such
technology.
5.4.2 CATEGORIES OF COMPUTER ETHICS PROBLEMS

The three board categories of computer ethical problems are:
1. Those ethical problems for which the computer is the instrument of the unethical
act. For example, the use of a computer to defraud the bank.
2. Those problems for which the computer software and installing it on ones own
computer to access others information.
3. Those problems associated with the autonomous nature of computers.
5.4.3 Computer as the Instrument of Unethical Behavior

Computers are sometimes used as an instrument for carrying out some unethical activities.
The two important unethical acts under this category are:
1. Bank robbery; and

2. Privacy
1. Bank Robbery

Computers can be used to steal from an employer; outsiders can got into a system
and steal form an institution such as a bank. In the same way, a company can use
the computer to steal form its clients and customers.
Computers are used more efficiently to steal money in a bank. The robber simply
sits at a computer terminal, invades the banks computer system and directs some
of the banks assets to be placed in a location accessible to him. The use of
computer makes the crime impersonal. The criminal never comes face to face with
the victims.
2. Privacy
Privacy means the basic right of an individual to control access to and use of
information about himself.
Computers make privacy more difficult to protect, since large amounts of data on
individuals and corporations are centrally stored on computers where an increasing
number of individuals can access it.
Invasions of privacy can be harmful to an individual in two ways, as given below;
1. The leaking of private information can lead an individual being harassed or
blackmailed.
2. Personal information can also be considered personal properly. Any
unauthorized use of this information is theft.
5.4.4 Computers as the Object of Unethical Acts
When the computers are used as the objects of the unethical acts, ethical issues
may arise. This act is prevalently known as hacking.
What does hacking mean?
Hacking is nothing but gaining unauthorized access to a database, implanting false
information in a database or altering existing information, and disseminating virus
over the internet.
In other words, hacking is a crime in which a person cracks a system and gains
unauthorized access to the data stored in them.
Accessing private information violates the private rights of individuals and
corporations.
Hacking has thrown a challenging threat to the internal security of a nation
when hackers develop illegal access to the secret military information.
Computer viruses: Viruses are programs introduced deliberately for
destroying or altering the operating systems and database of computer.
Transmission of computer viruses leads to the complete destruction of files
and data stored in the computers. This type of destruction frequently occurs in the
records of financial institutions, corporations, government offices, and taxpayers.
5.4.5 Autonomous Computers

Autonomous nature of computers creates other ethical problems.
1. Computer autonomy refers to the ability of computer to make decisions without the
intervention of humans. This autonomous function of computers creates a lot of negative
implication.
2. Example illustrating negative implication of computer autonomy: an Autonomous
computers, responsible for running a spaceship, wrong directed the spaceship against the
human designed it, instead of heading towards Jupiter.

3. Example illustrating positive implication of computer autonomy: Autonomous
computers are valuable for automatic monitoring of certain manufacturing processes.
4. However, the autonomous computer application creates unethical activities in most cases.
For example, autonomous computers are used in trading of some major stock market
exchanges.
5. Some brokers and institutional investors utilize computers to sell stocks automatically for
their favor.
6. Autonomous computer systems also create problems when they have been used in
military weapons. Many of the weapons used by military sources depend greatly on
computer sensors and computer controls may create an unstable situation, which may
lead to the serious conflicts.
7. Thus although autonomous computers are productive and more efficient in more areas,
eventually three should be some human control over them in order to prevent disasters.
5.4.6 COMPUTER CODE OF ETHICS

Many organizations have developed codes of ethics for computer use. In order to overcome
the various ethical issues of computer ethics, the Computer Society of India has developed the Ten
Commandments of computer ethics.
Ten Commandments of computer ethics are:
1. Dont use a computer to harm other people.
2. Dont interfere with other peoples computer work.
3. Dont snoop around in other peoples computer files.
4. Dont use a computer to steal.
5. Dont use a computer to bear false witness.
6. Dont copy or use proprietary software for which you have not paid.
7. Dont use other peoples computer resources without authorization or proper
compensation.
8. Dont appropriate other peoples intellectual output.
9. Think about the social consequences of the program you are writing or the system
you are designing.
10. Use a computer in ways that insure consideration and respect for your fellow
humans.
WEAPONS DEVELOPMENT
5.5.1 INTRODUCTION
The military or Defense industry uses most of worlds latest technological activity.
The entire world spends much of its money in the new development of military weapons.
Engineers involve either directly or indirectly in designing and developing of these new
weapons.
There are several reasons for an engineer to join the military services. The first and
foremost reason is that of patriotism and prudential interest. The latter can be threats or
compulsion from the government or the ruler of the country.
There are also several reasons for an engineer to refuse the war work. Because
fundamentally the purpose of designing war weapons is to kill human beings. Therefore
many reasonable engineers feel that the activity of weapons development as unethical.
Every engineer has to decide by examining his or her own conscience whether to
work or not to work in defense-related industries.
5.5.2 ROLE OF ENGINEERS IN DEFENSE INDUSTRY

Defense industry is one of the areas, which provide number of jobs opportunities to
engineers. Engineers are capable of innovating and developing new weapons.
Weapons are designed for one purpose- to kill human beings.
On the one hand, many of the rational engineers feel that they cannot work on designing
weapons, which are ultimately used to kill the human beings. Even though they are not the
ultimate users of those weapons, they find it morally unacceptable to work on such areas.
On the other hand, similar morally responsible engineers feel that working in defense
industry is ethical. Because they feel it as a honor to work for their nation/government.
In fact, the above two different views about working in defense industry are well justified
by various ethical theories.
Also the engineers should not be attracted by incentives and advancements that are being
offered in the defensive industries, they must have the potential judgments to serve in
defense works that would jeopardize the human community.
5.5.3 THE ENGINEERS INVOLVEMENT IN WEAPONS WORK

Engineers, who have engaged themselves in manufacturing of war weapon and antipersonnel
bombs, have developed compromising attitudes about their involvement, though there are
aware of consequences of war weapons.
Sometimes engineers are forced to involve in weapons work for their survival and livelihood
of their family members.
Thus every engineer who accepts job in a war-related industry should seriously consider his
or her motives in doing so. They should think morally before getting involved in weapons
production.
5.5.4 DEFENSE INDUSTRY PROBLEMS

Many nations give privileges to defense industry, without even thinking, on serious problems
that arise in large military build-ups. Some of the problems are:
1. The problem of waste and cost overruns is a major one in the defense industry.
2. Another problem faced by the defense industry is the technology creep. The
technology creep refers to the development of new weapons, such as the cruise
missile, which can change diplomatic arrangements even as they are being negotiated.
Thus it affects the political stability of a country.
3. Secrecy creates problems for the defense industry. If the secrets of planned funding
were leaked to prospective contractors, then it may lead to high cost and poor quality
of defense materials and weapons.
4. Many countries allocate funds for the defense sector than that of the other public
welfare schemes.
In a nutshell, engineers should examine both his individual conscience and the social and
political issues of weapons technology, before involving in the weapons development.
ENGINEERS AS MANAGERS, CONSULTANTS, AND LEADERS
5.6.1 INTRODUCTION
As we know, the engineers play a vital role in creating, protecting, and enhancing all the
needs of the society. Also the engineers posses engineering competence, extensive and sophisticated
skills, extensive formal training, imagination, persistence, and a strong sense of responsibility. As
pointed out in section 1.16, the engineers play a variety of roles such as savior, guardian,
bureaucratic servant, social servant, social enabler and catalyst, and game player, during their career.
In recent years, many engineers move into managerial job, only after having few years experience in
their career. Even the business corporations encourage the engineers to become their firms
managers.
In this chapter, we shall discuss why does this transaction occur?; how do the engineers act as
managers, consultants, leaders and expert witness?; and what are all the moral and ethical
implications of it?. At the end, we shall also discuss the importance of moral leadership by engineers
within their professions, communities, and corporations.
5.7 ENGINEERS AS MANAGERS
5.7.1 Why DO Most Of The Engineers Move Into Managerial Roles?
Engineers move into management roles, because of the following two reasons.
1. Many corporate managements prefer engineers as their managers. Because they believe
that:
To manage technological corporation, the technical understanding is necessary;
and
The engineers have potential of understanding the business techniques of any
corporate bodies than any non-engineers. Also it is comparatively easier to teach the
business techniques than to teach non-engineers the engineering techniques.
2. Engineers are attached by various corporate incentives such as higher pay, greater
authority, wider responsibility, and increased prestige and recognition.
5.7.2 Managers as Professions
(Implications of engineers becoming managers)

It is obvious that the transformation from engineers to managers require a number
of adjustments.
Engineers have to learn, acquantain and expand their knowledge about
management.
As pointed out by Henry Minizberg, the managers are supposed to posses the
managed roles shown in following table.
Table: Managerial roles

Role Description
I. Interpersonal
Symbolic head; obliged to perform a number duties of a legal os social nature.
1. Figure head
Responsible for the motivation and activation of subordinates; responsible for
2. Leader
staffing, training, and associated duties.
Maintains self-development network of outside contacts and informers who
3. Liaison
provide favors and information.
II. Informational Seeks and receives wide variety of special information to develop through
4. Monitor understanding of organization and environment.
Transmits information received from outsiders or from other subordinates to
5. Disseminator
members of the organization.
Transmits information to outsiders on organization plans, policies, actions,
6. Spokesperson
results, etc.
III. Decisional Seeks and identifies opportunities to promote improvement and needed change.

7. Entrepreneur
8. Disturbance Responsible for corrective action when organizations face important,

handler unexpected disturbances.
9. Resource
Responsible for the allocation of organizational resources of all kinds.
allocator
10. Negotiator Responsible for representing the organization at major negotiations.
Thus unless the engineers acquire the above said managerial skills, they may not be a successfully
manager.
5.7.3 Impact Of Transition On Ethical Issues

Generally managers are charged for (i) merely serving for narrow interests of the
corporation; (ii) their objective of increasing the firms profit only. (iii) not
bothering about other responsibilities to promote the public good.
According to Friedman, managers ethics is limited only to the responsibility to
maximize profits for stockholders. But engineers ethics involve wider
responsibilities to protect the public safety, health, and welfare of the public. In
addition to their responsibilities to stock-holders.
Ultimately, Friedmans view had failed. In contrast to Friedmans view, it is
recognized that the moral roles of engineers are complementary and symbolic; they
are associated with each other.
As a manager, engineers remain professionals whose primary responsibility is to
provide useful products services while ensuring that they are safe and profitable.
Thus the ultimate objective of engineers and managers are similar i.e., to make safe
and useful products that are also profitable.
5.7.4 Responsibilities of Engineers-Managers

Though there are many responsibilities, there are two important responsibilities of engineer-
managers. They are
1. promoting an ethical climate; and
2. Resolving conflicts.
1. Promoting an Ethical Climate
What is meant by an ethical climate?
A favorable working atmosphere required to achieve a morally responsible
conduct is called an ethical climate.
Several facts such as nature of organization, informal traditions and
practices, and personal attitude directly contribute to the ethical climate.
What are the defining features of an ethical corporate climate?
In order to promote an ethical corporate climate, the engineer-manager has to
understand the following four features of an ethical corporate climate.
Ethical values should be widely acknowledgement and appreciated by all the managers
and employees of a company.
The use of proper ethical language like code of ethics should be recognized as a
legitimate part of the company.

The top management should accomplish a moral voice in both words and policies, and
also by personal example. In other words the top management has to enhance
confidence that company is more serious about ethics.
There should be some procedure for confronting and resolving conflicts.
The engineer-manager has the greater moral responsibility for promoting ethical culture
in the organization.
2. Resolving Conflicts
The second important responsibility of engineer-managers is to resolve conflicts that
arise within the organization.
The managers have authority and responsibility to resolve the conflicts. They have to
create health-working atmosphere in which conflicts are addressed positively.
Many studies revised that there are seven most common conflicts reported to managers.
They are
1. conflicts over schedules;
2. conflicts over human resources available for the business;
3. conflicts over technical issues;
4. conflicts over administration procedures;
5. conflicts of personality;
6. conflicts over cools; and
7. Conflicts over projects and departments that are vital to the corporate
organization.
Out of the above seven conflicts, the personality conflict is difficult to solve. Because
this conflict is interwoven with other conflicts and also it is difficult to identify
separately.
It can also be noted that both ethical and technical conflicts/disagreements often
beneficial rather than harmful, when they are properly managed.
Principles of conflicts resolution
The Harvard negotiation project has generated four principles for conflict resolution.
They are
1. People: Separate the people from the problem
This principle distinguishes the personal aspect of conflicts from
the problem, so as to enhance better deal with both.
2. Interests: Focus on interest, not possible
This principle refers to the welfare measures and personnel interest
shown to employees irrespective of their positions.
3. Options: Generate a variety of possibilities before deciding what to
This principle emphasizes on generation of many alternatives
before taking any crucial decisions.
4. Criteria: Insert that the result of conflict resolution be based on
some objective standard
This principle insists on certain standard principles and objectives
which are require evaluating results.
5.8 ENGINEERS AS CONSULTANTS

(Consultancy Engineers)
Consultants are persons who give expert advice in engineering, business, law, etc.
Consulting engineers generally exercise their consulting activities as independent. They
are paid for their services by fees, not by salaries.
Since they are the sole employer for their practice, therefore they have grater freedom
than most salaried engineers to make decisions about the projects.

Corresponding tio their grater freedom, the consulting engineers should also deal with a
wider variety of moral concerns than salaried engineers.
Some of the responsibilities of consulting engineers are in the following areas:
1. advertising,
2. Competitive bidding,
3. Contingency fees,
4. Safety and client needs; and
5. Provisions for resolution of disputes.
We shall discuss the responsibilities of consulting engineers in the above four ares, in the
following sections
5.8.1 Advertising
Many companies seek help of the consulting engineers for advertising to promote and to
improve sales of their products.
Consulting engineers are responsible for advertising properly their services. As a consultant,
engineers should not release misleading advertisements or endorse false claims of a product.
It is experienced that competitive advertising has caused friction among engineers, reduced
their mutual respect, and damaged the professions public image.
Generally Deceptive advertising happens when products/services are made to look better than
they actually are. This misleading advertising can be achieved by many ways. They are
o by openly telling lies;
o by telling half-truths;
o by making wrong references or suggestions;
o through exaggeration;
o through the confusion deliberately created by ambiguity or vagueness; and etc.
Though honesty in advertising may be very difficult in the present business scenario, the
engineers should be conscious about the essence of ethical values while advertising.
5.8.2. Competitive Bidding

Competitive bidding means the process of offering of prices at an auction or in business to
achieve something. In other words, it is the process of competing for projects on the basis of
competitive submitting priced proposals.
Negative aspect of competitive bidding: It was considered that permitting competitive biding
in some engineering areas might invite few unethical results. For example, low bids may
compromise the desired result of safety and quality. In the case of high bids, over designing or
padding may be resulted.
The banning of competitive bidding by engineers firms, have raised many suspicious
questions in the minds of clients. Some of the questions are: How to choose the best one among
many options? What are the criteria for the selection? If selection is based on proven qualifications,
then how the qualifications are to be determined? Etc.
5.8.3. Contingency Fees

Consulting engineers should be paid the consultancy fees honestly and fairly for their
professional competence.
According to the code of the NSPT, An Engineer shall not request, purpose, or accept a
professional commission on a contingent basis under circumstances in which his professional
judgment may be compromised, or when a contingency provision is used as a device for
promoting or securing a professional commission.
The contingency fees or commissions can be paid only for those consultant engineers who
succeed in profiting or saving the client money. The fee may be either an agreed amount or a
fixed percentage of the savings to be realized. If the consultants do not succeed, they will not be
paid any fees.
It is obvious that under contingency-fee arrangements the consultants judgments are biased. For
example, the prospects of winning the fee may tempt an architect-consultant to specify inferior
materials or design concepts to reduce construction costs.
Thus contingency-fee arrangement would help consulting engineers to find imaginative and
responsible easy of saving costs to the clients or the public.
5.8.4. Safety And Clients Needs

Since the consulting engineers enjoy greater freedom than the salaried engineers, therefore they
have greater responsibility in decision-making concerning safety.
Most of the times, consulting engineers are offered design-only projects. In a design-only
projects the consulting the consultants contracts only to design the project, not to have any other
roles even a supervisory work.
Sometimes, the design-only projects are problematic because of difficulties encountered in
implementing the consultants design. Improper implementation of design may cause unwilling
consequences. Thus on-site inspection by the consultant who designed the project is very much
essential to complete the project successfully.
Thus even the consultant is contracted only for the design of the project; consulting engineers
should have some minimal moral responsibilities (such as doing occasional on-site inspections)
that reach beyond the legal responsibilities specified in the contract.
5.8.5. Provision For Resolution Of Disputes
Since the large engineering projects require responsibilities from different levels within the
organizations representing owner, the consulting engineer, and the construction
company, therefore it is obvious that there may be chances for overlapping
responsibilities, misplaced control, indecision, delays and inability to solve disputes
quickly.
Also in recent times, filling of litigating cases against the consulting engineers has increased
considerably .
Since litigation is time-consuming, costly, and laborious process, therefore the consulting
engineer should be prepared to have contractual provisions to resolve conflicts.
In addition, there should be the contractual provisions for dispute-solving vehicles such as to
avoid costly court battles.
5.9 ENGINEERS AS EXPERT WITNESSES

At times, engineers serve as consultants for resolving disputes in adversarial problems. Some of
the adversarial duties of engineers as experts include
a. Finding the causes of accidents,malfunctions, and other events;
b. public planning, policy making that involves technology.
Usually engineers are hired by one adversary in the dispute . These engineers become hired
guns by acting partially ones favor.This role by engineers raises special ethical concerns.
It is desired that without becoming hired guns , engineers can function as advocates for
attorneys(lawyer,especially one qualified to act for clients in a law court) and their clients,for
public officials or for private organization that hire them.

5.9.1 Engineers As Expert Witness In The Courts
The Plaintiff(complaint)or the dependent in civil or criminal cases may hire an engineer to
serve as an expert witness.
Some engineers may serve has expert witness while some others may be serving as
specialists in forensic engineering . Forensic engineering means the application of
engineering skills and knowledge in criminial investigation to aid judicial system.
Engineers may act as mitness in a wide variety of cases such as concerning defective
products, personal injury damoage to properties , traffic accidents, and airplane crashes.
In fact, the engineers evidences are considered seriously while awarding compensatory
damages for injuries,loss of property, or violation of rights.
The attorneys hive engineers to serve the interest of the clients. The hired engineers should
have moral obligations to represrnt t heir qualifications accurately, to perform through
investigations , and to present a professional conduct when they are called to testify in
court.
Also, the hired engineers should have a responsibility of confidentiality and should act
honestly.
Eye witness Vs Expert witness
According to the legal system, as an eyewitness , engineers have to present the evidence in
the court about what they have seen actually.
But as expert witness, engineers are given grater freedom to present evidence on facts in the
areas of expertise, on explaining facts , in commenting on the views of the expert witness of
the opposite side and also in reporting on the professional standards .
Thus the role of the engineers as witness is to bring out the truth and not to merely favor the
lawyers client immorally.
5.9.2 Abuses of Engineers as Expert Witness

1. Hired guns
When do engineers are hired by attorneys to help them to establish the facts in a way
favorable to their clients.Then they become hired guns
The hired guns violate the standards of honesty and also due care in conducting
investigations .
Illustration:
Let us consider a brand new product say tilting type wet grinder. Suppose the wet
Grinder gives an electrical shock to a user. The user is hurt badly and sues the manufacturer
of the product an expert engineer may be called upon to testimony about the defect of the
product that causes the event. The expert engineer is expected to examine the product and to
give his unbiased opinion. Instead the expert, who is hired by the manufacturer, writes the
report favoring the manufacturer.
o the above case clearly indicates one kind of abuse of ones position as an engineering
expert. Thus as an expert witness, the engineers should be impartial in excising their
The other common abuses due to money, ego, and sympathy.
2. Financial Biases
When engineers are paid by one party, then it will create a financial bias. This bias can
influence ones investigation, testimony and the presentation of ones qualifications.
It is obvious that the bias would increase when engineers were fired on the basis of
contingency fees i.e., fees will be paid only if case is won.
Thus even the concept of contingency fees is legal, the contingency fees arrangement is
considered unethical as it leads to bias.
3. Ego Biases
Ego means an individuals idea of himself or herself, especially in relation to other people
or to the outside world.
This egoistic bias of engineers can also influence the nature of judgment. Thus engineers
have to safeguard themselves against this kind of bias.
4. Sympathy Biases
It is a human nature that engineers feel sympathetic towards a particular party and
identifies them with that partys situation. This sympathy bias can greatly influence the
honest investigation about the facts of the legal disputes.
Thus in order to overcome the above said biases, engineers should develop and maintain
their integrity, especially when serving as expert witnesses.
5.10 ENGINEERS AS EXPERT ADVISERS
5.10.1 Advisors In Planning And Policy-Making
Like economists, sociologists, urban planners, and other professionals, engineers also
play a vital role of expert adviser in planning and public policy-making.
Technology advancements always require decisions about public planning i.e., forming
projects that affect communities and public policy-making i.e., forming general strategies
for society.
As expert advisers, engineers are involved in both public planning and public policy-
making. The public planning decision requires the expert advice about the feasibility,
risks, and benefits of particular technological projects that affect local public. The public
policy-making decision requires the expert device about the costs and benefits of
alternative systems of transportation, housing, energy uses, land use, and national
defense.
As expert advisor, the engineers should have the public honesty, respect for the common
public and good knowledge about the contributory role of professional consultants for the
successful implementation of both planning and policy-making processes. Because these
decisions often involve public at large and also the impact of wrong decisions would be
on the public.
5.10.2 Normative Models Of Advisers
Like corporate engineers, engineers who serve as planning advisers and policy analyst have
responsibilities both to their clients and to the general public. These responsibilities are always of
conflicting nature. In order to face these conflicting responsibilities, the following three
normative models can be used.
1.Hired Guns
This models discussed earlier, insists that engineers should give primary importance to
the obligations of the clients.
As per this model, the responsibilities of engineers to the public regarded as the minimal
ones; the engineers must focus to the desires of the clients.
2. Value-Neutral Analysts

This model should insist that engineers should be impartial. They should avoid any bias,
favoritism, and any form of advocacy.
As per this model, the engineers role is to identify all options and analyze the factual
implication of each option. Also they should remain neutral while making cost-benefit
and other analyses.
3. Value-Guided Advocates
This model insists that engineering consultants should remain honest and independent in
their professional judgment.
Unlike hired guns, value-guided advocates consider the responsibility to the public is of
paramount importance.
Unlike value-neutral analysts, they understand that values are interwoven with facts.
5.10.3 Core Qualities Required For an Expert-Adviser
According to Rosemarie Tong, engineers as expert advisers should have the following four
virtues.
1. Honesty the quality of being honest; truthfulness.
2. Competence the thorough knowledge of the work they undertake to do.
3. Diligence to carry out the given tasks carefully and promptly.
4. Loyalty-the quality of being true and faithfully in ones support.
5.11 MORAL LEADERSHIP

Engineers provide a many forms of leaderships as they play variety of roles such as
managers, consultants, expert witness, adusers, entrepreneurs, etc. Also there is an ongoing need for
moral leadership in engineering, as in other professions. Let us discuss few current activities that
illustrate leadership within the profession.
5.11.1 Morally Creative Leaders

What is the general meaning of the term leadership?
The success of corporation is to a greater extent is influenced by the quality of leadership.
Leaders trigger the will to do, show the direction and guide the group members towards the
accomplishments of the group.
According to Chester Barnard, Leadership refers to the quality of the behavior of the
individuals where by, they guide people on their activities in organized effort.
In our context, the leaders goal should be morally valuable, besides achieving the
corporations objectives.
What does moral leadership mean?
When the leaders goals are not only permissible but also morally valuable, then it is
known as moral leadership.
In other words, moral leadership means employing morally permissible means to
stimulate groups to move toward morally desirable ends.
Who are moral leaders?

Moral leaders are those who direct, motivate, organize, manage, or in other ways take groups
toward morally valuable goals.
Fredrick Taylor, the father of scientific management, have pointed out that engineers and
technologies were best-qualified leaders to govern because of their technical expertise,
logical, practical, and unprejudiced minds.
In present situations, the leadership required taking up the professional above any narrow
professional interest in overcoming the increasing difficulties of social diversity and cross-
disciplinary complexity.
The moral teachers should possess moral creativity. Moral creativity means achieving
morally valuable newness. The newness comprise identifying new possibilities for applying ,
extending and putting the values into practice. It becomes mandatory for morally creative
leaders to acquire fresh moral insight for resolving social conflicts.
Thus engineers should have their share of moral leadership to contribute to their professional
societies, to their possession and to their communities.
5.11.2 Participation in Professional Societies
Obviously, moral leadership within engineering is clearly demonstrated by playing a
significant role as a leader/member of professional bodies like IEEE, ASME,NSPE, etc,.
In other words,. Substantial involvement in professional societies is the primary forum for
moral leadership.
As we know, professional societies provide a forum for communicating, organizing and

mobilizing change within and by large groups. Therefore engineers can play a vital role
by participating in professional societies.
Engineers have to resolve among themselves their disagreements, moral dilemmas,

conflicts of interests and other issues through the professional societies
.
Through the professional societies, the engineers have to share the moral activity in the
professions.
Engineers as moral leaders can pressurize the professional societies to foster the study of
engineering ethics.
Engineers as moral leaders can help through profession societies in sponsoring ethics
workshops, conducting surveys on matters of concern, informing their members about
recent developments related to ethics, and encouraging the members about recent
developments related to ethics.
As leaders/members of the professional societies, engineers should obey the codes of
ethics.
Since engineering profession requires a high degree of trust form clients and the public,
therefore all engineers have to share their responsibility in building and sustaining that
trust.
Engineers as individuals and as a group owe it to the public to sustain professional climate
conductive to meeting their other obligations to the public.
5.11.3. Leadership in communities

Engineers have responsibilities as citizens to provide greater leadership than others. For
instance, engineers as citizens can actively lead/participate in societal debates concerning
industrial pollution, automobile safety, river water distribution, disposal of nuclear
waste, etc. In fact as citizens, engineers can perform these special responsibilities better
than those of non-engineers.
Another forum for engineers moral leadership is in community service.
It is viewed that all citizens are obligated to devote some of their time and energies to
public policy matters.
In order to serve effectively to the society towards social welfare, engineers should have
proper representation in legislative and advisory bodies.
Thus there is a need for moral leadership in identifying and expanding the areas of
possible achievable good.
5.11.4 Ideals Of Voluntary Service
Regarding the voluntary service in the engineering field, always there are many
debatable questions and issues.
In the past, engineering codes of ethics have discouraged voluntarism in the engineering
field. According to those codes, Engineers shall not undertake nor agree to perform
any engineering services on a free basis.
Robert Baum pointed out that engineers have fewer opportunities to donate their
services as individuals than do doctors and lawyers. Because the engineering services
are based on shared efforts.
Robert Baums strong argument is that needy groups, especially disadvantaged groups,
ought to have a access to engineering services, but not to resolve the question of who
(group of engineering, companies, government, etc.) should provide them.
Some of the options that the profession of engineering can in voluntary services are:
Engineers can provide engineering services to the disadvantaged groups at

reduced fees.
Professional societies can encourage voluntarism among engineers in
providing engineering services.
Professional societies and professionals should endorse that the right of
voluntary exercise is a desirable ideal, an ideal of generosity that goes beyond
any other duties.
The engineering institutions can encourage engineering students to focus their
services on the disadvantageous groups.
Thus engineers as moral leaders have to direct, motivate, organize, creatively manage, or
in other ways move groups toward morally valuable goals.
CODES OF ETHICS OF PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING SOCIETIES
1. AMERICAN SOCIETY OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERS(ASME)

Code of Ethics Of Engineers
THE FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES
Engineers uphold and advance the integrity, honor, and dignity of the Engineering
profession by:
I. Using their knowledge and skill for the enhancement of human welfare;
II. Being honest and impartial, and serving with fidelity the public, their employers and
clients; and
III. Striving to increase the competence and prestige of the engineering profession.
THE FUNDAMENTAL CANONS

1. Engineers shall hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of the public in the
performance of their profession duties.
2. Engineers shall continue their professional development throughout their careers and shall
provide opportunities for the professional development of those engineers under their
supervision.
3. Engineers shall perform services only in areas of their competence.
4. Engineers shall act in professional matters for each employer or client as faithful agents or
trustees, and shall avoid conflicts of interest.
5. Engineers shall build their professional reputation on the merit of their services and shall
not compete unfairly with others.
6. Engineers shall associate only with reputable persons or organizations.
7. Engineers shall issue public statements only in an objective and truthful manner.
8. Engineers shall consider environmental impact in the performance of their professional
duties.
2. AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CIVIL ENGINEERS(ASCE)

The Engineering Code of Ethics
Fundamentals principles
Engineers uphold and advance the integrity, honor and dignity of the engineering profession by:
1. Using their knowledge and skill for the enhancement of human welfare and the
environment
2. Being honest and impartial and serving with fidelity the public, their employees and clients
3. Striving to increase the competence and prestige of the engineering profession
4. Supporting the professional and technical societies of their disciplines
FUNDAMENTALS CANONS
1. Engineers shall hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of the public and shall
strive to comply with the principles of sustainable development in the performance of
their professional duties.
4. Engineers shall act in professional matters for each employer or client as faithful agents
or trustees, and shall avoid conflicts of interest.
6. Engineers shall act in such a manner as to uphold and enhance the honor, integrity and
dignity of the engineering profession.
7. Engineers shall continue their professional development throughout their careers, and
shall provide opportunities for the professional development of those engineers under
their supervision.
GUIDELINES TO PRACTICE UNDER THE FUNDAMENTAL CANONS OF ETHICS

Canon 1: Engineers shall hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of the public and shall
strive to comply with the principles of sustainable development in the performance of their
1. Engineers shall recognize that the lives, safety, health and welfare of the general public are
dependent upon engineering judgments, decisions and practices incorporated into structures,
machines, products, processes and devices.
2. Engineers shall approve or seal only those design documents, reviewed or prepared by
them, which are determined to be safe for public health and welfare of the public are

endangered or the principles of sustainable development ignored shall inform their clients or
employers of the possible consequences.
3. Engineers who have knowledge or reason to believe that another person or firm may be in
violation of any of the provisions of Canon1 shall present such information to the proper
authority in writing and shall cooperate with the proper authority in furnishing such further
information or assistance as may be required.
4. Engineers should seek opportunities to bee of constructive service in civic affairs and work
for the advancement of the safety, health and will-being of their communities, and the
protection of the environment through the practice of sustainable development.
5. Engineers should be committed to improving the environment by adherence to the
principles of sustainable development so as to enhance the quality of life of the general
public.
Canon 3: Engineers shall issues public statements only in an objective and truthful manner.
1. Engineers should endeavor to extend the public knowledge of engineering and sustainable
development, and shall not participate in the dissemination of untrue, unfair or exaggerated
statements regarding engineering.
2. Engineers shall be objective and truthful in professional reports, statements or testimony.
They shall include all relevant and pertinent information in such reports, statements, or
testimony.
3. Engineers, when serving as expert witnesses, shall express an engineering opinion only
when it is founded upon adequate knowledge of the facts, upon a background of technical
competence, and upon honest conviction.
4. Engineers shall issue no statements, criticisms, or arguments on engineering matters which
are inspired or paid for by interested parties, unless they indicate on whose behalf the
statements are made.
5. Engineers shall be dignified and modest in explaining their work and merit, and will avoid
any act tending to promote their own interests at the expense of the integrity, honor and
dignity of the profession.
Canon 4: Engineers shall act in professional matters for each employer or client as faithful agents
1. Engineers shall avoid all known or potential conflicts of interest with their employers or
clients and shall promptly inform their employers or clients of any business association
interests, or circumstances, which could influence their judgment or the quality of their
services.
2. Engineers shall not accept compensation from more than one party for services on the same
projects, or for services pertaining to the same project, unless the circumstances are fully
disclosed to and agreed to, by all interested parties.
3. Engineers shall not solicit or accept gratuities, directly or indirectly, from contractors, their
agents, or other parties dealing with their clients or employers in connection with work for
which they are responsible.
4. Engineers in public services as members, advisors, or employers of a governmental body or
department shall not participate in considerations or actions with respect to services
solicited or provided by them or their organization in private or public engineering practice.
5. Engineers shall advise their employers or clients when, as a result of their studies, they
believe a project will not be successful.
6. Engineers shall not use confidential information coming to them in the course of their
assignments as a means of making personal profit if such action is adverse to the interests of
their clients, employers or the public.

7. Engineers shall not accept professional employment outside of their regular work or interest
without the knowledge of their employers.
Canon 5: Engineers shall build their professional reputation on the merit of their services and shall
not complete unfairly with others.
1. Engineers shall not give solicit or receive either directly or indirectly any
Political contribution, gratuity, or unlawful consideration in order to secure work,
exclusive of securing salaried positions through employment agencies.
2. Engineers should negotiate contracts for professional services fairly and on the basis of
demonstrated competence and qualifications for the type of professional service required.
3. Engineers may request, propose or accept professional commissions on a contingent basis
only under circumstances in which their professional judgments would not be compromised.
4. Engineers shall not falsify or permit misrepresentation of their academic or professional
qualifications or experience.
5. Engineers shall give proper credit for engineering work to those to whom credit is due and
shall recognize the proprietary interests of others. Whenever possible, they shall name the
person or persons who may be responsible for designs, inventions, writings or other
accomplishments.
6. Engineers may advertise professional services in a way that does not contain misleading
languages or is in any other manner derogatory to the dignity of the profession.
7. Engineers shall not maliciously or falsely, directly or indirectly, injure the professional
reputation, prospects, practice or employment of another engineer or indiscriminately
criticize anothers work.
8. Engineers shall not use equipment, supplies, and laboratory or office facilities of their
employers to carry on outside private practice without the consent of their employers.
Canon 6: Engineers shall act in such a manner as to uphold and enhance the honor, integrity, and
dignity of the engineering profession
Engineers shall not knowingly act in a manner, which will be derogatory to the honor,
integrity, or dignity of the engineering profession or knowingly engage in business or professional
practices of a fraudulent, dishonest or unethical nature.
Canon 7: Engineers shall continue their professional development throughout their careers, and
shall provide opportunities for the professional development of those engineers under their
supervision.
1. Engineers should keep current in their specialty fields by engaging in professional practice,
participating in continuing education courses, reading in the technical literature, and
attending professional meetings and seminars.
2. Engineers should encourage engineering employees to become registered at the earliest
possible date.
3. Engineers should encourage engineering employees to attend and present papers at
professional and technical society meetings.
4. Engineers shall uphold the principle of mutually satisfying relationships between employers
and employees with respect to terms of employment including professional grade
descriptions, salary ranges, and fringe benefits.
3. INSTITUTE OF ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONICS INEERS(IEEE)

Code of Ethics
We, the members of the IEEE, in recognition of the importance of our technologies in affecting
the quality of life throughout the world, and in accepting a personal obligation to our

profession, its members and the communities we serve, do hereby commit ourselves to the
highest ethical and professional conduct and agree:
1. To accept responsibility in making engineering decisions consistent with the safety, health
and welfare of the public, and to disclose promptly factors that mighty endanger the public
or the environment.
2. To avoid real or perceived conflicts of interest whenever possible, and to disclose them to
affected parties when they do exist.
3. To be honest and realistic in stating claims or estimates based on available data.
4. To reject bribery in all its forms.
5. To improve the understanding of technology, it appropriate application, and potential
consequences.
6. To maintain and improve our technical competence and to undertake technological tasks for
others only if qualified by training or experience, or after full disclosure of pertinent
limitations.
7. To seek, accept, and offer honest criticism of technical work, to acknowledge and correct
errors, and to credit properly the contributions of others.
8. To treat fairly all persons regardless of such factors as race, religion, gender, disability, age,
or national origin.
9. To avoid injuring others, their property, reputation, or employment by false or malicious
action.
10. To assist colleagues and co-workers in their professional development and to support them
in following this code of ethics.
4. THE INSITUTION OF ENGINEES (INDIA)

Code of Ethics for Corporate Members
PERAMBLE
The Corporate Members of The Institution of Engineers (India) are committed to promote
and practice the profession of engineering for the common good of the community bearing in mind
the following concerns:
Concern for ethical standard
Concern for social justice, social order and human rights.
Concern for protection of the environment.
Concern for sustainable development.
Public safety and tranquility.
The Tenets of the code of ethics

A Corporate Member shall utilize his knowledge and expertise for the welfare, health and
safety of the community without any discrimination for sectional or private interest.
A Corporate Member shall maintain the honor, integrity and dignity in all his professional
actions to be worthy of the trust of the community and the profession.
A Corporate Member shall act only in the domains of his competence and with diligence,
care, sincerity and honesty.
A Corporate Member shall apply his knowledge and expertise in the interest of his
employer or the clients for whom he shall work without compromising with other
obligations to these Tenets.
A Corporate Member shall not falsify or misrepresent his own or his associates
qualifications, experience, etc.
A Corporate Member, wherever necessary and relevant, shall take all reasonable steps to
inform himself, his employer or clients, of the environmental, economic, and social and
other possible consequences, which may arise out of his actions.

A Corporate Member shall maintain utmost honesty and fairness in making statements or
giving witness and shall do so on the basis of adequate knowledge.
A Corporate Member shall not directly or indirectly injure the professional reputation of
another member.
A Corporate Member shall reject any kind of offer that may involve unfair practice or may
cause avoidable damage to the ecosystem.
A Corporate Member shall be concerned about and shall act in the best of his abilities for
maintenance of sustainability of the process of development.
A Corporate Member shall no act in any manner which may injure the reputation of the
Institution or which may cause any damage to the Institution financially or otherwise.
GENERAL GUIDANCE
The Tenets of the Code of Ethics are based on the recognition that
A common tie exists among the humanity and that The Institution of Engineers (India)
derives its value from the people, so that the actions of its Corporate Members should
indicate the members highest regard for equality of opportunity, social justice and fairness;
and
The corporate member of the institution hold a privileged position in the community so as
to make it a necessity for their not using the position for personal and sectional interests.
And as such ,a corporate member-

Should keep his employer or client fully informed on all matters in respect of his
assignment which are likely to lead to a conflict of interest or when, in his judgement, a
project will not be viable on the basis of commercial, technical, environmental or any other
risks;
Should maintain confidentiality of any information with utmost sincerity unless expressly
permitted to disclose such information or unless such permission , if withheld may
adversely affect the welfare, health and safety of the community;
Should neither solicit nor accept financial or other considerations from anyone related to a
project or assignment of which he is in the charge;
Should neither pay nor offer direct or indirect inducements to secure work;
Should compete on the basis of merit alone.
Should refrain from including a client to breach a contract entered into with another duly
appointed engineer;
Should, if asked by the employer or a client , to review the work of another person or
organization , discuss the review with the other person or organization to arrive at a
balanced opinion;
Should make statements or give evidence before a tribunal or a court of law in an objective
and accurate manner and express any opinion on the basis of adequate knowledge and
competence ;
Should reveal the existence of any interest pecuniary or otherwise which may affect
the judgment while giving evidence or making a statement.
CODES OF ETHICS OF PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING SOCIETIES
1. AMERICAN SOCIETY OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERS(ASME)

Code of Ethics Of Engineers
THE FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES
Engineers uphold and advance the integrity, honor, and dignity of the Engineering
profession by:

I. Using their knowledge and skill for the enhancement of human welfare;
II. Being honest and impartial, and serving with fidelity the public, their employers and
clients; and
III. Striving to increase the competence and prestige of the engineering profession.
THE FUNDAMENTAL CANONS

1. Engineers shall hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of the public in the
performance of their profession duties.
2. Engineers shall continue their professional development throughout their careers and shall
provide opportunities for the professional development of those engineers under their
supervision.
4. Engineers shall act in professional matters for each employer or client as faithful agents or
trustees, and shall avoid conflicts of interest.
6. Engineers shall associate only with reputable persons or organizations.
8. Engineers shall consider environmental impact in the performance of their professional
duties.
2. AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CIVIL ENGINEERS(ASCE)

The Engineering Code of Ethics
Fundamentals principles
Engineers uphold and advance the integrity, honor and dignity of the engineering profession by:
1. Using their knowledge and skill for the enhancement of human welfare and the
environment
2. Being honest and impartial and serving with fidelity the public, their employees and clients
3. Striving to increase the competence and prestige of the engineering profession
4. Supporting the professional and technical societies of their disciplines
FUNDAMENTALS CANONS
1. Engineers shall hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of the public and shall
strive to comply with the principles of sustainable development in the performance of
their professional duties.
4. Engineers shall act in professional matters for each employer or client as faithful agents
6. Engineers shall act in such a manner as to uphold and enhance the honor, integrity and
dignity of the engineering profession.
7. Engineers shall continue their professional development throughout their careers, and
shall provide opportunities for the professional development of those engineers under
their supervision.
GUIDELINES TO PRACTICE UNDER THE FUNDAMENTAL CANONS OF ETHICS

Canon 1: Engineers shall hold paramount the safety, health and welfare of the public and shall
strive to comply with the principles of sustainable development in the performance of their
1. Engineers shall recognize that the lives, safety, health and welfare of the general public are
dependent upon engineering judgments, decisions and practices incorporated into structures,
machines, products, processes and devices.
2. Engineers shall approve or seal only those design documents, reviewed or prepared by
them, which are determined to be safe for public health and welfare of the public are
endangered or the principles of sustainable development ignored shall inform their clients or
employers of the possible consequences.
3. Engineers who have knowledge or reason to believe that another person or firm may be in
violation of any of the provisions of Canon1 shall present such information to the proper
authority in writing and shall cooperate with the proper authority in furnishing such further
information or assistance as may be required.
4. Engineers should seek opportunities to bee of constructive service in civic affairs and work
for the advancement of the safety, health and will-being of their communities, and the
protection of the environment through the practice of sustainable development.
5. Engineers should be committed to improving the environment by adherence to the
principles of sustainable development so as to enhance the quality of life of the general
public.
Canon 3: Engineers shall issues public statements only in an objective and truthful manner.
1. Engineers should endeavor to extend the public knowledge of engineering and sustainable
development, and shall not participate in the dissemination of untrue, unfair or exaggerated
statements regarding engineering.
2. Engineers shall be objective and truthful in professional reports, statements or testimony.
They shall include all relevant and pertinent information in such reports, statements, or
testimony.
3. Engineers, when serving as expert witnesses, shall express an engineering opinion only
when it is founded upon adequate knowledge of the facts, upon a background of technical
competence, and upon honest conviction.
4. Engineers shall issue no statements, criticisms, or arguments on engineering matters which
are inspired or paid for by interested parties, unless they indicate on whose behalf the
statements are made.
5. Engineers shall be dignified and modest in explaining their work and merit, and will avoid
any act tending to promote their own interests at the expense of the integrity, honor and
dignity of the profession.
Canon 4: Engineers shall act in professional matters for each employer or client as faithful agents
1. Engineers shall avoid all known or potential conflicts of interest with their employers or
clients and shall promptly inform their employers or clients of any business association
interests, or circumstances, which could influence their judgment or the quality of their
services.
2. Engineers shall not accept compensation from more than one party for services on the same
projects, or for services pertaining to the same project, unless the circumstances are fully
disclosed to and agreed to, by all interested parties.
3. Engineers shall not solicit or accept gratuities, directly or indirectly, from contractors, their
agents, or other parties dealing with their clients or employers in connection with work for
which they are responsible.

4. Engineers in public services as members, advisors, or employers of a governmental body or
department shall not participate in considerations or actions with respect to services
solicited or provided by them or their organization in private or public engineering practice.
5. Engineers shall advise their employers or clients when, as a result of their studies, they
believe a project will not be successful.
6. Engineers shall not use confidential information coming to them in the course of their
assignments as a means of making personal profit if such action is adverse to the interests of
their clients, employers or the public.
7. Engineers shall not accept professional employment outside of their regular work or interest
without the knowledge of their employers.
Canon 5: Engineers shall build their professional reputation on the merit of their services and shall
not complete unfairly with others.
1. Engineers shall not give solicit or receive either directly or indirectly any
Political contribution, gratuity, or unlawful consideration in order to secure work,
exclusive of securing salaried positions through employment agencies.
2. Engineers should negotiate contracts for professional services fairly and on the basis
of demonstrated competence and qualifications for the type of professional service required.
3. Engineers may request, propose or accept professional commissions on a contingent basis
only under circumstances in which their professional judgments would not be compromised.
4. Engineers shall not falsify or permit misrepresentation of their academic or professional
qualifications or experience.
5. Engineers shall give proper credit for engineering work to those to whom credit is due and
shall recognize the proprietary interests of others. Whenever possible, they shall name the
person or persons who may be responsible for designs, inventions, writings or other
accomplishments.
6. Engineers may advertise professional services in a way that does not contain misleading
languages or is in any other manner derogatory to the dignity of the profession.
7. Engineers shall not maliciously or falsely, directly or indirectly, injure the professional
reputation, prospects, practice or employment of another engineer or indiscriminately
criticize anothers work.
8. Engineers shall not use equipment, supplies, and laboratory or office facilities of their
employers to carry on outside private practice without the consent of their employers.
Canon 6: Engineers shall act in such a manner as to uphold and enhance the honor, integrity, and
dignity of the engineering profession
Engineers shall not knowingly act in a manner, which will be derogatory to the honor,
integrity, or dignity of the engineering profession or knowingly engage in business or professional
practices of a fraudulent, dishonest or unethical nature.
Canon 7: Engineers shall continue their professional development throughout their careers, and
shall provide opportunities for the professional development of those engineers under their
supervision.
1. Engineers should keep current in their specialty fields by engaging in professional practice,
participating in continuing education courses, reading in the technical literature, and
attending professional meetings and seminars.
2. Engineers should encourage engineering employees to become registered at the earliest
possible date.
3. Engineers should encourage engineering employees to attend and present papers at
professional and technical society meetings.

4. Engineers shall uphold the principle of mutually satisfying relationships between employers
and employees with respect to terms of employment including professional grade
descriptions, salary ranges, and fringe benefits.
3. INSTITUTE OF ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONICS INEERS(IEEE)

Code of Ethics
We, the members of the IEEE, in recognition of the importance of our technologies in affecting
the quality of life throughout the world, and in accepting a personal obligation to our
profession, its members and the communities we serve, do hereby commit ourselves to the
highest ethical and professional conduct and agree:
1. To accept responsibility in making engineering decisions consistent with the safety, health
and welfare of the public, and to disclose promptly factors that mighty endanger the public
or the environment.
2. To avoid real or perceived conflicts of interest whenever possible, and to disclose them to
affected parties when they do exist.
3. To be honest and realistic in stating claims or estimates based on available data.
4. To reject bribery in all its forms.
5. To improve the understanding of technology, it appropriate application, and potential
consequences.
6. To maintain and improve our technical competence and to undertake technological tasks for
others only if qualified by training or experience, or after full disclosure of pertinent
limitations.
7. To seek, accept, and offer honest criticism of technical work, to acknowledge and correct
errors, and to credit properly the contributions of others.
8. To treat fairly all persons regardless of such factors as race, religion, gender, disability, age,
or national origin.
9. To avoid injuring others, their property, reputation, or employment by false or malicious
action.
10. To assist colleagues and co-workers in their professional development and to support them
in following this code of ethics.
4. THE INSITUTION OF ENGINEES (INDIA)

Code of Ethics for Corporate Members
PERAMBLE
The Corporate Members of The Institution of Engineers (India) are committed to promote
and practice the profession of engineering for the common good of the community bearing in mind
the following concerns:
Concern for ethical standard
Concern for social justice, social order and human rights.
Concern for protection of the environment.
Concern for sustainable development.
Public safety and tranquility.
The Tenets of the code of ethics

A Corporate Member shall utilize his knowledge and expertise for the welfare, health and
safety of the community without any discrimination for sectional or private interest.
A Corporate Member shall maintain the honor, integrity and dignity in all his professional
actions to be worthy of the trust of the community and the profession.
A Corporate Member shall act only in the domains of his competence and with diligence,
care, sincerity and honesty.

A Corporate Member shall apply his knowledge and expertise in the interest of his
employer or the clients for whom he shall work without compromising with other
obligations to these Tenets.
A Corporate Member shall not falsify or misrepresent his own or his associates
qualifications, experience, etc.
A Corporate Member, wherever necessary and relevant, shall take all reasonable steps to
inform himself, his employer or clients, of the environmental, economic, and social and
other possible consequences, which may arise out of his actions.
A Corporate Member shall maintain utmost honesty and fairness in making statements or
giving witness and shall do so on the basis of adequate knowledge.
A Corporate Member shall not directly or indirectly injure the professional reputation of
another member.
A Corporate Member shall reject any kind of offer that may involve unfair practice or may
cause avoidable damage to the ecosystem.
A Corporate Member shall be concerned about and shall act in the best of his abilities for
maintenance of sustainability of the process of development.
A Corporate Member shall no act in any manner which may injure the reputation of the
Institution or which may cause any damage to the Institution financially or otherwise.
GENERAL GUIDANCE
The Tenets of the Code of Ethics are based on the recognition that
A common tie exists among the humanity and that The Institution of Engineers (India)
derives its value from the people, so that the actions of its Corporate Members should
indicate the members highest regard for equality of opportunity, social justice and fairness;
and
The corporate member of the institution hold a privileged position in the community so as
to make it a necessity for their not using the position for personal and sectional interests.
And as such ,a corporate member-

Should keep his employer or client fully informed on all matters in respect of his
assignment which are likely to lead to a conflict of interest or when, in his judgement, a
project will not be viable on the basis of commercial, technical, environmental or any other
risks;
Should maintain confidentiality of any information with utmost sincerity unless expressly
permitted to disclose such information or unless such permission , if withheld may
adversely affect the welfare, health and safety of the community;
Should neither solicit nor accept financial or other considerations from anyone related to a
project or assignment of which he is in the charge;
Should neither pay nor offer direct or indirect inducements to secure work;
Should compete on the basis of merit alone;
Should refrain from incducing a client to breach a contract entered into with another duly
appointed engineer;
Should, if asked by the employer or a client , to review the work of another person or
organization , discuss the review with the other person or organization to arrive at a
balanced opinion;
Should make statements or give evidence before a tribunal or a court of law in an objective
and accurate manner and express any opinion on the basis of adequate knowledge and
competence ;
Should reveal the existence of any interest pecuniary or otherwise which may affect
the judgment while giving evidence or making a statement.


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UNIT 5

5.2.1 MULTINATIONAL CORPORATIONS (MNCs)

What are Multinational corporations (MNCs)?

Dr.V.Ambeth Kumar, Associate Professor, CSE, Panimalar Engineering College, Chennai.

5.2.2 Three Senses Of Relative Valves

3. Moral Relationalism (Or Contextualism)

Dr.V.Ambeth Kumar, Associate Professor, CSE, Panimalar Engineering College, Chennai.

5.2.3 INTERNATIONAL RIGHTS

5.2.4 WAYS OF PROMOTING MORALLY JUST MEASURES

According to Richard T. De George, MNCs should promote morally just measures

5.2.5 TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER AND APPROPRIATE TECHNOLOGY

5.3.1 INTRODUCTION TO ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS

What is meant by environmental ethics?

5.3.2 ENGINEERS AND THE ENVIRONMENT

It is evident that engineers are usually creators of technology that contributes to

1. Types of Concern for Environment

What does professional codes of ethics say about the environment?

5.3.3 APPROACHES TO RESOLVE ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS

5.3.6 PHILOSOPHICAL VIEW OF NATURE

Dr.V.Ambeth Kumar, Associate Professor, CSE, Panimalar Engineering College, Chennai.

What is computer ethics?

5.4.2 CATEGORIES OF COMPUTER ETHICS PROBLEMS

5.4.3 Computer as the Instrument of Unethical Behavior

1. Bank robbery; and

Dr.V.Ambeth Kumar, Associate Professor, CSE, Panimalar Engineering College, Chennai.

5.4.5 Autonomous Computers

Dr.V.Ambeth Kumar, Associate Professor, CSE, Panimalar Engineering College, Chennai.

5.4.6 COMPUTER CODE OF ETHICS

5.5.2 ROLE OF ENGINEERS IN DEFENSE INDUSTRY

5.5.3 THE ENGINEERS INVOLVEMENT IN WEAPONS WORK

5.5.4 DEFENSE INDUSTRY PROBLEMS

ENGINEERS AS MANAGERS, CONSULTANTS, AND LEADERS

5.7 ENGINEERS AS MANAGERS

5.7.1 Why DO Most Of The Engineers Move Into Managerial Roles?

5.7.2 Managers as Professions

(Implications of engineers becoming managers)

Table: Managerial roles

Dr.V.Ambeth Kumar, Associate Professor, CSE, Panimalar Engineering College, Chennai.

8. Disturbance Responsible for corrective action when organizations face important,

10. Negotiator Responsible for representing the organization at major negotiations.

5.7.3 Impact Of Transition On Ethical Issues

5.7.4 Responsibilities of Engineers-Managers

Dr.V.Ambeth Kumar, Associate Professor, CSE, Panimalar Engineering College, Chennai.

5.8 ENGINEERS AS CONSULTANTS

Dr.V.Ambeth Kumar, Associate Professor, CSE, Panimalar Engineering College, Chennai.

5.8.2. Competitive Bidding

5.8.3. Contingency Fees

5.8.4. Safety And Clients Needs

5.9 ENGINEERS AS EXPERT WITNESSES

Dr.V.Ambeth Kumar, Associate Professor, CSE, Panimalar Engineering College, Chennai.

5.9.2 Abuses of Engineers as Expert Witness

5.10.1 Advisors In Planning And Policy-Making

5.10.2 Normative Models Of Advisers

Dr.V.Ambeth Kumar, Associate Professor, CSE, Panimalar Engineering College, Chennai.

5.10.3 Core Qualities Required For an Expert-Adviser

5.11 MORAL LEADERSHIP

5.11.1 Morally Creative Leaders

Who are moral leaders?

As we know, professional societies provide a forum for communicating, organizing and

Engineers have to resolve among themselves their disagreements, moral dilemmas,

5.11.3. Leadership in communities

Engineers can provide engineering services to the disadvantaged groups at

CODES OF ETHICS OF PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING SOCIETIES

1. AMERICAN SOCIETY OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERS(ASME)