1-10) You are attending a regional conference along with five other students from your
institution. The night before the group is scheduled to return to campus, one of the
students is arrested for public intoxication and is jailed. Neither he nor the other students
have enough cash for bail, and he doesn’t want his parents to know. He asks you to lend
him the organization’s emergency cash so that he doesn’t have to spend the night in jail;
he’ll repay you as soon as his parents send money. What should you do?
a. Lend him the money since his parents are wealthy and you know he can repay it
quickly.
b. Tell him to contact his parents now and ask for help.
c. Give him the money, but ask him to write and sign a confessional note to repay it..
d. Tell him to call a lawyer since it’s not your problem.
Options
Canons
a). Lend
b). Tell:
contact
parents
c). Money
and note
d). Tell not
your problem
Hold
paramount
the safety,
health and
welfare of
the public.
Yes-no risk
Yes-no risk
Yes-no risk
Yes-no risk
Perform
services
only in the
area of your
competence
Does not
apply
Does not
apply
Does not
apply
Does not
apply
Issue public
statements
only in an
objective
and truthful
manner
Does not
apply
Does not
apply
Does not
apply
Does not
apply
Act for each
employer or
client as
faithful
agents or
trustees
No– unless
money was
previously
authorized
for bail
Yes
No-unless
money was
previously
authorized
for bail
Yes
Avoid
deceptive
acts
No if you
are hoping
to put
money back
without
telling
organization
Yes
Yes-if you
show note to
organization.
Yes
Kosky, Balmer, Keat and Wise: Exploring Engineering, Fourth Edition, Solution Manual, Chapter 1
Copyright, Elsevier, 2015
15
Conduct
themselves
honorably
…
No–
allowing
your
concern for
friend to
override
your duty to
organization
Yes
Yes – an
attempt,
though
flawed, to
combine
duties to
friend and
organization
Yes –
although as a
matter of
personal
ethics, telling
a friend that
his problems
are not yours
may be
unacceptable,
this is not a
violation of
professional
ethics
So you should consider telling him to call his parents and/or a lawyer.
1-11) You are testing motorcycle helmets manufactured by a variety of your competitors.
Your company has developed an inexpensive helmet with a liner that will withstand
multiple impacts, but is less effective on the initial impact than your competitor’s. The
Vice President for Sales is anxious to get this new helmet on the market and is
threatening to fire you if you do not release it to the manufacturing division. What should
you do?
a. Follow the vice presidents orders since he/she will ultimately be responsible for the
decision.
b. Call a newspaper to “blow the whistle” on the unsafe company policies.
c. Refuse to release the product as unsafe and take your chances on being fired.
d. Stall the vice president while you look for a job at a different company.
Options
Canons
b). Blow
whistle
c). Refuse
to release
d). Stall
Hold
paramount
the safety,
health and
welfare of
the public.
No
Would
knowingly
put public at
risk
Yes
avoids
putting
public at
risk
No-leaves
public at risk
Perform
services
only in the
area of your
competence
No– press
relations is
not your area
of expertise
Yes
Yes
Issue public
statements
only in an
objective
and truthful
manner
Yes – but
only if you
are sure of
your facts
Yes- no
public
statement
made
Yes-no
public
statement
made
Act for each
employer or
client as
faithful
agents or
trustees
No– as an
agent, you
are expected
to get
permission
before
speaking to
press
Yes
No– you
owe your
employer a
truthful
interpretation
of your
actions
Avoid
deceptive
acts
Yes –
is not
deceptive
Yes- is not
deceptive
No-stalling
is deceptive
Conduct
Yes
Yes
No–
Kosky, Balmer, Keat and Wise: Exploring Engineering, Fourth Edition, Solution Manual, Chapter 1
Copyright, Elsevier, 2015
17
themselves
honorably
…
hiding your
true views is
dishonorable
Refuse to release the defective article should at least be a major option to consider even
though it may have a serious effect on your career.
1-12) Paul Ledbetter is employed at Bluestone Ltd. as a manufacturing engineer. He
regularly meets with vendors who offer to supply Bluestone with needed services and
parts. Paul discovers that one of the vendors, Duncan Mackey, like Paul, is an avid golfer.
They begin comparing notes about their favorite golf courses. Paul says he’s always
wanted to play at the Cherry Orchard Country Club; but since it is a private club, he’s
never had the opportunity. Duncan says he’s been a member there for several years and
that he’s sure he can arrange a guest visit for Paul. What should Paul do?1
a. Paul should accept the invitation since he has always wanted to play there.
b. Paul should reject the invitation since it might adversely affect his business
relationship with Duncan.
c. Paul should ask Duncan to nominate him for membership in the Club.
d. Paul should ask his supervisor if it’s OK to accept Duncan’s invitation.
Options
Canons
a). Accept
b). Reject
c). Ask
Duncan to
nominate
d). Ask
supervisor
Hold
paramount
the safety,
health and
welfare of
the public.
Yes-no risk
Yes-no risk
Yes-no risk
Yes-no risk
Perform
services
only in the
area of your
competence
Does not
apply
Does not
apply
Does not
apply
Does not
apply
Issue public
statements
only in an
objective
and truthful
manner
Does not
apply
Does not
apply
Does not
apply
Does not
apply
Act for each
employer or
client as
faithful
agents or
trustees
Yes if you
have
consulted
company
ethics
guidelines
and
determined
that it’s ok;
Yes
Yes
Yes
1 Extracted from TEACHING ENGINEERING ETHICS, A CASE STUDY APPROACH, Michael S.
Pritchard Editor, CENTER FOR THE STUDY OF ETHICS IN SOCIETY WESTERN MICHIGAN
Copyright, Elsevier, 2015
19
1-13) Some American companies have refused to promote women into positions of high
authority in their international operations in Asia, the Middle East, and South America.
1-14) Marvin Johnson is Environmental Engineer for one of several local plants whose
water discharges flow into a lake in a flourishing tourist area. Included in Marvin’s
responsibilities is the monitoring of water and air discharges at his plant and the periodic
preparation of reports to be submitted to the Department of Natural Resources.
Marvin has just prepared a report that indicates that the level of pollution in the
plant‘s water discharges slightly exceeds the legal limitations. However, there is little
reason to believe that this excessive amount poses any danger to people in the area; at
worst, it will endanger a small number of fish. On the other hand, solving the problem
will cost the plant more than $200,000.
Marvin’s supervisor says the excess should be regarded as a mere “technicality,”
and he asks Marvin to “adjust” the data so that the plant appears to be in compliance. He
explains: “We can’t afford the $200,000. It would set us behind our competitors. Besides
the bad publicity we’d get, it might scare off some of tourist industry.” How do you think
Marvin should respond to Edgar’s request?
a) Do what Edgar says
b) Ask Edgar to join him in discussing this with Edgar’s boss
c) Do not do what Edgar s says
Options
Canons
a). Do what
Edgar says
b). Ask
Edgar to join
in discussing
c). Do not do
what Edgar
says
Hold
paramount
the safety,
health and
welfare of
the public.
Yes-no
risks
Yes-no risks
Yes-no risks
Perform
services
only in the
area of your
competence
Yes
Yes
Yes
Issue public
statements
only in an
objective
and truthful
manner
Does not
apply
Does not
apply
Does not
apply
Act for each
employer or
client as
faithful
agents or
trustees
No–
exposes
company to
legal action
Yes
No – simple
disobedience,
even if
justified, is
not the action
of a faithful
agent
Copyright, Elsevier, 2015
22
1-15) Derek Evans used to work for a small computer firm that specializes in developing
software for management tasks. Derek was a primary contributor in designing an
innovative software system for customer services. This software system is essentially the
“lifeblood” of the firm. The small computer firm never asked Derek to sign an agreement
that software designed during his employment there becomes the property of the
company. However, his new employer did.
Derek is now working for a much larger computer firm. Derek’s job is in the
customer service area, and he spends most of his time on the telephone talking with
customers having systems problems. T his requires him to cross reference large amounts
of information. It now occurs to him that by making a few minor alterations in the
innovative software system he helped design at the small computer firm the task of cross
referencing can be greatly simplified.
On Friday Derek decides he will come in early Monday morning to make the
adaptation. However, on Saturday evening he attends a party with two of his old friends,
you and Horace Jones. Since it has been some time since you have seen each other, you
spend some time discussing what you have been doing recently. Derek mentions his plan
to adapt the software system on Monday. Horace asks, “Isn’t that unethical? That system
is really the property of your previous employer.” “But,” Derek replies, “I’m just trying to
make my work more efficient. I’m not selling the system to anyone, or anything like that.
It‘s just for my use — and, after all, I did help design it. Besides, it’s not exactly the same
system — I’ve made a few changes.” What should be done about this situation?2
a) Derek should go ahead and make the adaptation
b) Derek should suggest to his boss a meeting with the other company to discuss
use of the program.
c) Derek should drop the idea
Options
Canons
a). Make the
adaptation
b). Suggest a
meeting
c). Drop the
idea
Hold
paramount
the safety,
health and
welfare of
the public.
Yes-no risks
Yes-no risks
Yes-no risks
Perform
services
only in the
area of your
competence
Yes
Yes
Yes
Issue public
Does not
Does not
Does not
2 Adapted from: http://ethics.tamu.edu/pritchar/property.htm
Kosky, Balmer, Keat and Wise: Exploring Engineering, Fourth Edition, Solution Manual, Chapter 1
Copyright, Elsevier, 2015
24
statements
only in an
objective
and truthful
manner
apply
apply
apply
Act for each
employer or
client as
faithful
agents or
trustees
Maybe- may
expose
current
employer to
possible suit
or bad
publicity
Yes
No– an
employee
should
pursue good
ideas
Avoid
deceptive
acts
No– while
possibly
legal, the
action is
deceptive
(implies
new
company
developed
idea)
Yes – is not
deceptive
No
employee is
hiding a
good idea
Conduct
themselves
honorably
…
No – (see
deceptive)
Yes
Yes
b) is the best course.
1-16) Jan, a professional engineer on unpaid leave, is a part-time graduate student at a
small private university and is enrolled in a research class for credit taught by Dimanro, a
mechanical-engineering professor at the University. Part of the research being performed
by Jan involves the use of an innovative geothermal technology.
The University is in the process of enlarging its facilities, and Dimanro, a member
of the University’s building committee, has responsibility for developing a request for
proposal (RFP) in order to solicit interested engineering firms. Dimanro plans to
incorporate an application of the geothermal technology into the RFP. Dimanro asks Jan
to serve as a paid consultant to the University’s building committee in developing the
RFP and reviewing proposals. Jan’s employer will not be submitting a proposal and is
not averse to having Jan work on the RFP and proposal reviews. Jan agrees to serve as a
paid consultant.
Is it a conflict of interest for Jan to be enrolled in a class for credit at the
University and at the same time serve as a consultant to the University? 3
a) Jan should assume a conflict of interest and drop the idea
b) Jan should request a legal opinion as to the legality of this service
c) Jan should go ahead and serve without inquiring further
Options
Canons
a). Drop
idea
b). Request
legal opinion
c). Go ahead
Hold
paramount
the safety,
health and
welfare of
the public.
Yes-no risks
Yes-no risks
Yes-no risks
Perform
services
only in the
area of your
competence
Yes
Yes
Yes
Issue public
statements
only in an
objective
and truthful
manner
Yes
Yes
Yes, if he
acknowledges his
connection to
university
Act for each
employer or
client as
faithful
agents or
trustees
Yes- has
consulted
with
employer
Yes
yes
3 Adapted from NSPE Board of Ethical Review Case No. 91-5
Kosky, Balmer, Keat and Wise: Exploring Engineering, Fourth Edition, Solution Manual, Chapter 1
Copyright, Elsevier, 2015
26
Avoid
deceptive
acts
Yes
Yes
Yes, if he
acknowledges his
connection to
university
Conduct
themselves
honorably
…
Yes
Yes
Maybe,
depending on
whether he or
university hopes
to gain from the
connection (e.g.,
unjustified
positive opinion,
unjustified higher
grade)
Note: as is evident from the matrix, the answer to this question depends on detailed legal
knowledge as to whether being a student and paid consultant simultaneously constitutes
a conflict of interest.