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Engineering Ethics,

Edition 1 An Industrial Perspective

Editors: By Gail Baura, Ph.D.

Publication Date: 11 Apr 2006

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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.

Key Features

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

About the author

By Gail Baura, Ph.D., Department of Engineering, Loyola University Chicago, IL, USA

Part I: An Ethics Foundation

Chapter 1: A Personal Engineering Ethics Threshold
1.1 A Real World Example
1.2 What Is Engineering Ethics?
1.3 Ethical Theories
1.3.1 Utilitarianism
1.3.2 Duty Ethics
1.3.3 Rights Ethics
1.3.4 Virtue Ethics
1.4 Engineering Ethics Codes
1.4.1 NSPE Code of Ethics for Engineers
1.4.2 IEEE Code of Ethics
1.4.3 Code Effectiveness
1.5 Professional Responsibility
1.5.1 Protection of Public Safety
1.5.2 Technical Competence
1.5.3 Timely Communication of Negative & Positive Results to Management
1.6 Ethical Dilemmas
1.6.1 Public Safety & Welfare
1.6.2 Data Integrity & Representation
1.6.3 Trade Secrets & Industrial Espionage
1.6.4 Gift Giving & Bribery
1.6.5 Principle of Informed Consent
1.6.6 Conflict of Interest
1.6.7 Accountability to Clients & Customers
1.6.8 Fair Treatment
1.7 Determining Your Personal Engineering Ethics Threshold for Action
1.7.1What Is Your Personal Threshold?
1.8 References
1.9 Questions for Discussion

Chapter 2: Options for Action When an Engineering Ethics Threshold is Reached
2.1 Departure
2.2 Whistleblowing
2.3 The Employee Conscience
2.3.1 Employee Protection Legislation
2.3.2 Employee Protection Procedures
2.3.3 Employee Protection Examples
2.4 The Observer Conscience
2.4.1 Observer Protection Legislation
2.4.2 Observer Protection Procedures
2.4.3 Observer Protection Examples
2.5 Conclusion
2.6 References
2.7 Questions for Discussion

Part II: National Case Studies

Chapter 3: 1978 - Ford Pinto Explosion
3.1 The Reported Story
3.2 The Back Story
3.3 Applicable Regulations
3.4 An Engineering Perspective
3.5 References
3.6 Questions for Discussion

Chapter 4: 1981 - Kansas City Hyatt Regency Skywalk Collapse
4.1 The Reported Story
4.2 The Back Story
4.3 Applicable Regulations
4.4 An Engineering Perspective
4.5 References
4.6 Questions for Discussion

Chapter 5: 1986 - Challenger Space Shuttle Explosion
5.1 The Reported Story
5.2 The Back Story
5.3 Applicable Regulations
5.4 An Engineering Perspective
5.5 References
5.6 Questions for Discussion

Chapter 6: 1989 - Exxon Valdez Oil Spill
6.1 The Reported Story
6.2 The Back Story
6.3 Applicable Regulations
6.4 An Engineering Perspective
6.5 References
6.6 Questions for Discussion

Chapter 7: 1989 - San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge Earthquake Collapse
7.1 The Reported Story
7.2 The Back Story
7.3 Applicable Regulations
7.4 An Engineering Perspective
7.5 References
7.6 Questions for Discussion

Chapter 8: 1994 - Bjork Shiley Heart Valve Defect
8.1 The Reported Story
8.2 The Back Story
8.3 Applicable Regulations
8.4 An Engineering Perspective
8.5 References
8.6 Questions for Discussion

Chapter 9: 1999 - Y2K Software Conversion
9.1 The Reported Story
9.2 The Back Story
9.3 Applicable Regulations
9.4 An Engineering Perspective
9.5 References
9.6 Questions for Discussion

Chapter 10: 2002 - Bell Laboratories Scientific Fraud
10.1 The Reported Story
10.2 The Back Story
10.3 Applicable Regulations
10.4 A Scientific Perspective
10.5 References
10.6 Questions for Discussion

Chapter 11: 2002 - Ford Explorer Rollover
11.1 The Reported Story
11.2 The Back Story
11.3 Applicable Regulations
11.4 An Engineering Perspective
11.5 References
11.6 Questions for Discussion

Chapter 12: 2003 - Columbia Space Shuttle Explosion
12.1 The Reported Story
12.2 The Back Story
12.3 Applicable Regulations
12.4 An Engineering Perspective
12.5 References
12.6 Questions for Discussion

Chapter 13: 2003 - Guidant Ancure Endograft System
13.1 The Reported Story
13.2 The Back Story
13.3 Applicable Regulations
13.4 An Engineering Perspective
13.5 References
13.6 Questions for Discussion

Chapter 14: 2003 - Northeast Blackout
14.1 The Reported Story
14.2 The Back Story
14.3 Applicable Regulations
14.4 An Engineering Perspective
14.5 References
14.6 Questions for Discussion

Chapter 15: 2004 – Indian Ocean Tsunami
15.1 The Reported Story
15.2 The Back Story
15.3 Applicable Regulations
15.4 An Engineering Perspective
15.5 References
15.6 Questions for Discussion

Part III: Individual Case Studies

Chapter 16: Anonymous Industrial Engineering Ethics Cases
16.1 Case 1: Biomedical Engineer
16.2 Case 2: Mechanical Engineer
16.3 Case 3: Electrical Engineer
16.4 Case 4: Geologic Engineer
16.5 Case 5: Biomedical Engineer
16.6 Case 6: Electrical Engineer
16.7 Case 7: Mechanical Engineer
16.8 Case 8: Biomedical Engineer
16.9 Case 9: Computer Engineer
16.10 Case 10: Electrical Engineer

Book Reviews

"This is a most extraordinary book. Its contents range from valuable reference material on Sarbanes-Oxley and US engineering codes of conduct to some folksy, almost sentimental, personal case histories. But, remarkably, the author's own personal commitment and integrity shine through on every page." —John Turnbull, The Chemical Engineer, August 2006

"At first glance, this book looks like most other recent volumes on this topic. But where other books often written in whole or part by philosophers and academics - can be tedious for engineers who are not coversant with ethical theory, Baura definitely approaches from an industrial perspective. She also addresses the subject with a concrete problem-solving approach and with more elegant prose and a better organization than I find in other treatments."—Gael UlRich, Chemical Engineering 2006

"Despite the US focus, the examples are presented with a level of detail that will enable engineers anywhere to understand the underlying technical and behavioral issues. It will be welcomed by those teaching engineering ethics modules, especially with the up-to-date examples we all remember from the news."—Julia King, Materials Today, March 2007

ISBN: 9780120885312

Page Count: 240

Retail Price :

Fleddermann, C. B. Engineering Ethics. 2nd edition, paperback, Prentice Hall; 2003; 168 pp.; $27.00, £30.99, 0131408259
Gorman, M. E., et al. Ethical and Environmental Challenges to Engineering. Prentice-Hall: Upper Saddle River, NJ, 2000, 269 p., $36.00,£20.99, 013011328X
Harris et al Engineering Ethics: Concepts and Cases, includes CD. ed. 2. Wadsworth/Thomson Learning: Belmont, CA, 1999, 377 pp., $69.95, £35.00, 0534533973.

Mechanical, Aerospace, Civil, Chemical, Electrical, Environmental, and Biomedical engineering; Undergraduate and graduate engineers in these same disciplines; Managers in industry responsible for product development, product safety and liability issues; In-house legal counsel at major manufacturing companies; Public-sector managers and attorneys responsible for enforcement and prosecution of liability, fraud, and related legal areas having to do with product quality and safety