Engineering Ethics

Engineering Ethics

by Gail Baura
Released April 2006
Publisher(s): Academic Press
ISBN: 9780080458021

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Book description

Engineering Ethics is the application of philosophical and moral systems to the proper judgment and behavior by engineers in conducting their work, including the products and systems they design and the consulting services they provide. In light of the work environment that inspired the new Sarbanes/Oxley federal legislation on “whistle-blowing? protections, a clear understanding of Engineering Ethics is needed like never before.

Beginning with a concise overview of various approaches to engineering ethics, the real heart of the book will be some 13 detailed case studies, delving into the history behind each one, the official outcome and the “real story? behind what happened. Using a consistent format and organization for each one—giving background, historical summary, news media effects, outcome and interpretation--these case histories will be used to clearly illustrate the ethics issues at play and what should or should not have been done by the engineers, scientists and managers involved in each instance.

* Covers importance and practical benefits of systematic ethical behavior in any engineering work environment.
* Only book to explain implications of the Sarbanes/Oxley "Whistle-Blowing" federal legislation
* 13 actual case histories, plus 10 additional "anonymous" case histories-in consistent format-will clearly demonstrate the relevance of ethics in the outcomes of each one
* Offers actual investigative reports, with evidentiary material, legal proceedings, outcome and follow-up analysis
* Appendix offers copies of the National Society of Professional Engineers Code of Ethics for Engineers and the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers Code of Ethics

Table of contents

  1. Front cover
  2. Title page
  3. Copyright
  4. Dedication
  5. Table of contents (1/2)
  6. Table of contents (2/2)
  7. Foreword
  8. Preface
  9. Part I An Ethics Foundation
    1. 1 A Personal Engineering Ethics Threshold
      1. A Real World Example
      2. What Is Engineering Ethics?
      3. Ethical Theories (1/2)
      4. Ethical Theories (2/2)
        1. Utilitarianism
        2. Duty Ethics
        3. Rights Ethics
        4. Virtue Ethics
      5. Engineering Ethics Codes
        1. NSPE Code of Ethics for Engineers
        2. IEEE Code of Ethics
        3. Code Effectiveness
      6. Professional Responsibility
        1. Protection of Public Safety
        2. Technical Competence
        3. Timely Communication of Negative & Positive Results to Management
      7. Ethical Dilemmas
        1. Public Safety & Welfare
        2. Data Integrity & Representation
        3. Trade Secrets & Industrial Espionage
        4. Gift Giving & Bribery
        5. Principle of Informed Consent
        6. Conflict of Interest
        7. Accountability to Clients & Customers
        8. Fair Treatment
      8. Determining Your Personal Engineering Ethics Threshold for Action
        1. What Is Your Personal Threshold?
      9. References
      10. Questions for Discussion
    2. 2 Options for Action When an Engineering Ethics Threshold Is Reached
      1. Departure
      2. Whistleblowing
      3. The Employee Conscience
        1. Employee Protection Legislation
        2. Employee Protection Procedures
        3. Employee Protection Examples
      4. The Observer Conscience
        1. Observer Protection Legislation
        2. Observer Protection Procedures
        3. Observer Protection Examples
      5. Conclusion
      6. References
      7. Questions for Discussion
  10. Part II National Case Studies
    1. 3 1978: Ford Pinto Recall
      1. The Reported Story
      2. The Back Story
        1. Automobile Safety
        2. Ford Subcompact Car Project
        3. Pinto Investigations
        4. Pinto Lawsuits
      3. Applicable Regulations
      4. An Engineering Perspective
      5. References
      6. Questions for Discussion
    2. 4 1981: Kansas City Hyatt Regency Skywalk Collapse
      1. The Reported Story
      2. The Back Story
        1. Kansas City Hyatt Regency Hotel Design
        2. Hyatt Project Hierarchy
        3. Original Box Beam Hanger Rod Design and Modifications
        4. Atrium Roof Collapse
        5. Walkway Investigation
        6. Administrative Hearing Actions
      3. Applicable Regulations
      4. An Engineering Perspective
      5. References
      6. Questions for Discussion
    3. 5 1986: Challenger Space Shuttle Explosion
      1. The Reported Story
      2. The Back Story
        1. The Space Shuttle Design
        2. Early Problems
        3. Launch Delays and Subsequent Launch
        4. Presidential Commission Investigation
        5. Commission Recommendations
      3. Applicable Regulations
      4. An Engineering Perspective
      5. References
      6. Questions for Discussion
    4. 6 1989: Exxon Valdez Oil Spill
      1. The Reported Story
      2. The Back Story
        1. The Trans-Alaska Pipeline System
        2. Oil Spill Preparedness
        3. The Last Voyage of the Exxon Valdez
        4. Oil Spill Cleanup
        5. Oil Spill Investigation
        6. Lawsuits
      3. Applicable Regulations
      4. An Engineering Perspective
      5. References
      6. Questions for Discussion
    5. 7 1989: San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge Earthquake Collapse
      1. The Reported Story
      2. The Back Story
        1. Transportation in the Bay Area in the 1920s
        2. Bridge Design and Construction
        3. Railway Retrofit
        4. Loma Prieta Earthquake
        5. New Bridge
      3. Applicable Regulations
      4. An Engineering Perspective
      5. References
      6. Questions for Discussion
    6. 8 1994: Bjork-Shiley Heart Valve Defect
      1. The Reported Story
      2. The Back Story
        1. Heart Valves
        2. The Bjork-Shiley Heart Valve
        3. Bjork-Shiley Valve Complications & Investigations
        4. U.S. Government Intervention
        5. Other Lawsuits
      3. Applicable Regulations
      4. An Engineering Perspective
      5. References
      6. Questions for Discussion
    7. 9 1999: Y2K Software Conversion
      1. The Reported Story
      2. The Back Story
        1. The Millennium Bug
        2. Special Committee on the Year 2000 Technology Problem
        3. Interim Assessments
        4. Day One Preparation
        5. Y2K Aftermath
      3. Applicable Regulations
      4. An Engineering Perspective
      5. References
      6. Questions for Discussion
    8. 10 2002: Bell Laboratories Scientific Fraud
      1. The Reported Story
      2. The Back Story (1/2)
      3. The Back Story (2/2)
        1. The History of Bell Laboratories
        2. Nanotechnology
        3. Jan Hendrik Schon’s Bell Labs Work
        4. Bell Labs Investigation
        5. Aftermath
      4. Applicable Regulations
      5. A Scientific Perspective
      6. References
      7. Questions for Discussion
    9. 11 2002: Ford Explorer Rollover
      1. The Reported Story
      2. The Back Story
        1. Ford Explorers and Firestone Tires
        2. CAFE Standards and Sport Utility Vehicles
        3. The Ford Bronco II
        4. The Ford Explorer
        5. Government Regulation of SUVs
        6. Ford Explorer Lawsuits
        7. The 2002 Ford Explorer
      3. Applicable Regulations
      4. Business & Professions Code
      5. An Engineering Perspective
      6. References
      7. Questions for Discussion
    10. 12 2003: Columbia Space Shuttle Explosion
      1. The Reported Story
      2. The Back Story
        1. External Tank Insulation
        2. Early Problems
        3. Launch Delays and Subsequent Launch
        4. Columbia Accident Investigation Board
        5. Investigation Board Recommendations
      3. Applicable Regulations
      4. An Engineering Perspective
      5. References
      6. Questions for Discussion
    11. 13 2003: Guidant Ancure Endograft System
      1. The Reported Story
      2. The Back Story
        1. FDA Good Manufacturing Practices
        2. Medical Device Background
        3. Clinical Performance After FDA Approval
        4. Device Investigations
        5. Settlement
      3. Applicable Regulations
      4. An Engineering Perspective
      5. References
      6. Questions for Discussion
    12. 14 2003: Northeast Blackout
      1. The Reported Story
      2. The Back Story
        1. The North American Interconnection
        2. Grid Reliability
        3. The Grid in Ohio
        4. The Initiation of the Blackout
        5. Task Force Investigation and Recommendations
      3. Applicable Regulations
      4. An Engineering Perspective
      5. References
      6. Questions for Discussion
    13. 15 2004: Indian Ocean Tsunami
      1. The Reported Story
      2. The Back Story
        1. The Sumatra-Andaman Earthquake
        2. The Indian Ocean Tsunami
        3. Tsunami Aftermath
        4. Tsunami Warning Systems
      3. Applicable Regulations
      4. An Engineering Perspective
      5. References
      6. Questions for Discussion
  11. Part III Individual Case Studies
    1. 16 Anonymous Industrial Engineering Ethics Cases
      1. Case 1: Biomedical Engineer
      2. Case 2: Mechanical Engineer
      3. Case 3: Electrical Engineer
      4. Case 4: Geologic Engineer
      5. Case 5: Biomedical Engineer
      6. Case 6: Electrical Engineer
      7. Case 7: Mechanical Engineer
      8. Case 8: Biomedical Engineer
      9. Case 9: Computer Engineer
      10. Case 10: Electrical Engineer
  12. Appendix
    1. National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) Code of Ethics for Engineers
      1. Preamble
      2. I. Fundamental Canons
      3. II. Rules of Practice
      4. III. Professional Obligations
      5. Statement by NSPE Executive Committee
    2. Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) Code of Ethics
    3. SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
  13. Index
  14. A Request from the Author
  15. About the Author

Product information

  • Title: Engineering Ethics
  • Author(s): Gail Baura
  • Release date: April 2006
  • Publisher(s): Academic Press
  • ISBN: 9780080458021