Engineering Year 1

SECTION

3 PROFESSIONAL
ETHICS
SECTION3 PROFESSIONAL ETHICS

ENGINEERING PRACTICE
Ethics and Professional Practice

Introduction
Welcome to the section on engineering ethics and professional practice. Ethics in
engineering refers to the moral principles and standards that guide professionals in
making decisions and carrying out their work responsibly, considering the impact on
individuals, communities, and the environment. Ethical behaviour in engineering is
characterised by the adherence to a code of conduct that upholds fundamental values
such as honesty, integrity, accountability, and respect for human rights. It ensures
that engineering practices prioritise safety, sustainability, and the greater welfare
of humanity. Conversely, unethical behaviour in engineering encompasses actions
that breach professional standards and occur when professionals deviate from these
moral principles and use their knowledge or skills to pursue self-interest, engage in
fraudulent activities, compromise safety standards, or ignore the potential negative
consequences of their work. Unethical practices in engineering can lead to disastrous
outcomes, endangering lives, damaging the environment, and eroding public trust
in the profession. In this section, learners will explore the relevance of ethics in
engineering practice by delving into several key aspects of ethics. It examines how
ethical considerations play a pivotal role in ensuring safety and reliability in engineering
projects, maintaining public trust, fostering sustainable development, and addressing
social and cultural implications.

At the end of this section, you will be able to:

• Capable of explaining ethical and unethical behaviours

• Capable of explaining the relevance of ethics in engineering practice
• Distinguish between ethical and unethical behaviours in engineering practice
• Demonstrate ethical behaviour in case study scenarios

Key Ideas
• The engineering professional is governed by ethical standards that regulate engineers’
conduct to ensure that their activities and products are healthy and safe to life and
environment. Engineering ethics and professionalism ensure that engineers conduct
themselves responsibly, with integrity, and in the best interests of society.
• Engineers must do well to adhere to ethical principles and practices always and desist
from all forms of unethical behaviours and ethical violations. To become a successful
engineer, one needs to know the engineering ethical principles and consciously adhere
to them in all their engineering practices.

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ETHICAL BEHAVIOUR IN ENGINEERING

In engineering, ethical and unethical behaviours play a crucial role in ensuring public
safety, maintaining professional integrity, and fostering trust within society. Here is a
focused look at these behaviours within the engineering context:
Ethical behaviour in engineering involves adhering to professional standards and
principles that ensure the safety, well-being, and fairness of all stakeholders. Engineers
are responsible for designing and maintaining structures, systems, and products that
millions of people rely on daily. Therefore, adhering to ethical principles is crucial.

Key Aspects of Ethical Behaviour

1. Integrity: Being honest and transparent in all professional activities, including
reporting data and results accurately. It ensures that engineers uphold the highest
standards of conduct, contributing to public trust and the overall safety and
effectiveness of engineering projects.
2. Public Safety and Welfare: They are paramount concerns in engineering, as the
work of engineers directly impacts the lives and well-being of the public. Engineers
must prioritise these aspects in all their professional activities, ensuring that their
designs, projects, and decisions protect and enhance public health, safety, and
welfare.
3. Respect for Diversity: It is essential for fostering an inclusive, innovative, and
effective professional environment. Diversity encompasses a range of characteristics
including race, gender, age, cultural background, physical abilities, and more.
Embrace diversity and treat all colleagues, clients, and community members with
respect, irrespective of their background or beliefs.
4. Environmental Responsibility: It involves designing, constructing, and
maintaining projects and systems in a manner that minimises negative impacts on
the environment. This includes considering the entire lifecycle of a project, from
planning and design to construction, operation, and eventual decommissioning.
Design and implement engineering solutions that are environmentally sustainable
and minimise negative impacts on ecosystems and natural resources.
5. Quality Workmanship: Strive for excellence in engineering work, ensuring that
designs and constructions are of high quality and meet industry standards.
6. Innovation and Creativity: Encourage innovation and creative problem-solving
to produce efficient and effective engineering solutions.
7. Transparency: Be transparent in communicating project progress, potential risks,
and challenges to stakeholders, including clients and the public.
8. Teamwork: Collaborate effectively with colleagues, valuing their input and
expertise in engineering projects.
9. Professionalism: Conduct yourself professionally, adhering to ethical guidelines
and maintaining a positive reputation within the engineering community.

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10. Whistleblowing: Involves reporting any unethical or illegal activities within an

organisation or industry to the appropriate authorities or stakeholders.
11. Confidentiality: Respecting the confidentiality of proprietary information and
not disclosing it without proper authorisation.
12. Competence: Performing services only in areas of one’s competence and
continuously updating skills and knowledge.
13. Sustainability: Considering the environmental impact of engineering decisions
and promoting sustainable practices.
14. Fairness and Non-Discrimination: Treating all colleagues, clients, and the pub-
lic fairly and without bias.

Examples of Ethical Behaviour in Engineering

a. Designing products and systems that comply with safety standards and
regulations.
b. Accurately reporting test results and data without falsification.
c. Refusing to undertake projects for which one does not have the necessary
expertise.
d. Disclosing any potential conflicts of interest that may affect professional
judgment.
e. Implementing environmentally sustainable practices in project design and
execution.
f. Ensuring equal opportunity and non-discriminatory practices in hiring and
promotions.

Unethical Behaviour in Engineering

Unethical behaviour in engineering involves actions that compromise safety, fairness,
and honesty. Such behaviour can lead to harm, mistrust, and legal consequences. Key
aspects include:
1. Plagiarism: It involves the unauthorised use or imitation of someone else’s work,
ideas, or intellectual property without proper acknowledgment or permission. This
can occur in various contexts, including academic research, professional practice,
and industrial design. Plagiarism undermines the integrity of the engineering
profession, damages reputations, and can lead to legal consequences. Using others’
work or ideas without proper attribution or citation of source.
2. Bribery and Corruption: They involve unethical practices where individuals or
organisations offer, give, receive, or solicit something of value to influence decisions,
gain unfair advantages, or secure contracts and projects. Engaging in or condoning
corrupt practices to gain business advantages. These practices undermine the
integrity of the engineering profession, distort market competition, and can lead to
substandard work and unsafe conditions.

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3. Cutting Corners: It refers to the practice of intentionally reducing quality, safety, or

thoroughness to save time, money, or effort. Sacrificing safety, quality, or compliance
with regulations to save time or money or gain undue advantage over competitors.
This can involve using substandard materials, skipping essential steps in processes,
or ignoring regulatory requirements. While cutting corners might provide short-
term gains, it often leads to significant long-term consequences, including safety
hazards, legal issues, and reputational damage.
4. Discrimination: It refers to unfair or prejudicial treatment of individuals or groups
based on characteristics such as race, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation,
disability, or other protected attributes. This discrimination can manifest in
various forms, including hiring practices, workplace culture, opportunities for
advancement, and access to resources. Addressing discrimination is crucial for
fostering a diverse, inclusive, and innovative engineering environment. Allowing
bias to influence professional decisions and actions such as recruitment, rewards
and promotion.
5. Environmental Negligence: It occurs when engineers or engineering firms
fail to incorporate or adhere to necessary environmental protection measures in
their projects, resulting in harm to ecosystems, human health, or property. This
negligence can stem from various factors, including inadequate planning, disregard
for regulations, or prioritisation of cost savings over environmental safety. Ignoring
or not adequately addressing potential risks and safety issues.
6. Conflict of Interest: It occurs when an engineer’s personal interests, relationships,
or activities could potentially influence or appear to influence their professional
judgment, decisions, or actions. This can compromise the integrity of the
engineering work, lead to unethical decisions, and damage public trust. Failing
to disclose personal interests that may affect professional decisions or influence
judgements.
7. Misrepresentation: Providing false information or data in engineering reports or
presentations. Misrepresentation can lead to misinformed decisions.
8. Inadequate Testing: Failing to conduct thorough testing and safety checks on
engineering projects. This can lead to avoidable accidents and harm to people and
the environment.
9. Infringing on Intellectual Property: Using patented technology or copyrighted
materials without proper authorisation. This can lead to legal consequences.
10. Dishonesty: It refers to unethical behaviours and practices that violate the
principles of integrity, transparency, and accountability in engineering. This type
of dishonesty can manifest in various ways and has significant repercussions for
public safety, trust, and the integrity of the profession. It includes falsifying data,
reports, or qualifications.

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Examples of Unethical Behaviour in Engineering

a. Cutting corners in design or construction to save costs, compromising safety.
b. Falsifying test results to meet regulatory requirements.
c. Accepting gifts or favours in exchange for awarding contracts.
d. Copying another engineer’s design without giving proper credit.
e. Overlooking or hiding defects or failures in a project to avoid liability.
f. Discriminating against employees or clients based on race, gender, or other
characteristics.

Promoting Ethical Behaviour in Engineering

To foster ethical behaviour, engineering organisations and professionals can implement
several measures:
1. Code of Ethics: Adopting a formal code of ethics that outlines the professional
standards and ethical expectations for engineers.
2. Ethics Training: Providing regular training and resources to educate engineers
about ethical principles and how to apply them in practice.
3. Ethical Leadership: Encouraging leaders to model ethical behaviour and create a
culture of integrity within the organisation.
4. Whistleblower Policies: Establishing mechanisms for reporting unethical be-
haviour without fear of retaliation.
5. Regular Audits and Reviews: Conducting regular audits and reviews to ensure
compliance with ethical standards and identify areas for improvement.
By understanding and adhering to ethical principles, engineers can ensure their work
positively impacts society and upholds the profession’s integrity.

THE RELEVANCE OF ETHICS IN ENGINEERING

PRACTICE
Ethics play a crucial role in engineering practice, ensuring that engineers’ work
contributes positively to society and the environment. Here is an explanation of the
relevance of ethics in engineering practice through various principles:
1. Safety and Welfare of Society
a. Relevance: Engineers must prioritise the safety and well-being of the public in
their designs and decisions.
b. Explanation: Ensuring public safety prevents harm and builds trust in
engineering solutions. For example, civil engineers design buildings to withstand
natural disasters, protecting lives.

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3. Environmental Sustainability
a. Relevance: Engineers must consider the long-term impacts of their work on
the environment.
b. Explanation: Sustainable engineering practices minimise environmental
damage and promote the conservation of resources, such as designing energy-
efficient systems or using renewable materials.
4. Equity and Social Justice
a. Relevance: Engineering solutions should be accessible and beneficial to all
segments of society.
b. Explanation: Ethical engineers design inclusive systems that do not
discriminate based on race, gender, or economic status, ensuring fair access to
technology and resources.
5. Informed Consent
a. Relevance: Engineers must obtain consent from stakeholders who are affected
by their projects.
b. Explanation: This principle ensures that stakeholders are aware of potential
risks and benefits, fostering transparency and trust. For example, consulting
with communities before starting a construction project.
6. Transparency and Accountability
a. Relevance: Engineers should be open about their processes and accountable
for their work.
b. Explanation: Transparency in reporting methods and results builds trust,
while accountability ensures engineers take responsibility for their actions,
preventing misconduct.
7. Avoiding Conflicts of Interest
a. Relevance: Engineers must avoid situations where personal interests could
compromise their professional judgment.
b. Explanation: Conflicts of interest can lead to biased decisions that may not
be in the best interest of the public or the client. Ethical engineers disclose and
manage any potential conflicts.
8. Continuing Education and Professional Development
a. Relevance: Engineers should engage in lifelong learning to stay current with
advancements in their field.
b. Explanation: Continuous education ensures that engineers maintain compe-
tence and can apply the latest technologies and methods safely and effectively.
9. International Collaboration
a. Relevance: Engineers often work on global projects and must respect cultural
differences and international standards.

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b. Explanation: Ethical international collaboration promotes shared knowledge

and solutions that are culturally and contextually appropriate, enhancing global
welfare.
10. Public Trust and Reputation
a. Relevance: Engineers must maintain the public’s trust to ensure the profession’s
integrity.
b. Explanation: Upholding ethical standards enhances the profession’s reputation,
encouraging public confidence in engineering solutions and decisions.
11. Adherence to Codes of Ethics
a. Relevance: Engineers should follow established codes of ethics provided by
professional bodies.
b. Explanation: Adherence to these codes ensures consistency in ethical
behaviour across the profession, providing a benchmark for evaluating conduct
and decision-making.

The Process of Ethical Decision-Making

Ethical decision-making is a structured approach that individuals and organisations
use to evaluate and resolve ethical dilemmas. The process typically involves several key
steps to ensure that decisions are made in a morally and ethically responsible manner.
Here is a common framework for ethical decision-making:
Identify the Ethical Issue
a. Recognise the Dilemma: Clearly define the ethical issue or conflict.
b. Determine Stakeholders: Identify all parties affected by the decision.
Gather Information
a. Facts and Context: Collect all relevant facts and contextual information.
b. Legal and Professional Guidelines: Understand applicable laws, regulations,
and professional codes of ethics.
Evaluate the Alternatives
a. Consider Options: List actions or alternatives.
b. Assess Consequences: Evaluate the potential outcomes of each alternative for
all stakeholders.
Analyse the Ethical Dimensions
a. Ethical Theories: Apply ethical theories (e.g., utilitarianism, deontology,
virtue ethics) to analyse the alternatives.
b. Principles and Values: Consider core ethical principles (e.g., honesty, fairness,
justice, respect) and personal or organisational values.
Make the Decision
a. Weigh the Options: Balance the ethical principles and outcomes to choose the
best course of action.

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b. Justify the Decision: Ensure the decision can be ethically justified and clearly
articulate the reasoning behind it.
Implement the Decision
a. Action Plan: Develop and execute a plan to implement the chosen decision.
b. Communicate: Inform stakeholders of the decision and rationale.
Reflect and Evaluate
a. Review Outcome: Assess the impact of the decision on all stakeholders and
the ethical implications.
b. Learn and Adjust: Reflect on the process and outcomes to improve future
ethical decision-making.

Example: Ethical Decision-Making in Engineering

Scenario:
An engineer discovers that a new product design has a minor flaw that could lead to a
failure under rare conditions. Fixing the flaw will delay the project and increase costs.

Steps Applied:
a. Identify the Ethical Issue: The ethical dilemma is whether to release the
product as is, with a known flaw, or delay the release to fix it.
b. Gather Information: Collect data on the likelihood and consequences of the
product failure and review relevant safety regulations and industry standards.
c. Evaluate the Alternatives:
i. Release the product as is.
ii. Delay the release to fix the flaw.
iii. Provide a warning with the product about the potential issue.
d. Analyse the Ethical Dimensions:
i. Utilitarian Approach: Consider the greatest good for the greatest number
(e.g., consumer safety vs. cost implications).
ii. Deontological Approach: Focus on duty and adherence to safety standards.
iii. Virtue Ethics: Reflect on professional integrity and responsibility.
e. Make the Decision: Decide to delay the release and fix the flaw, prioritising
safety, and adherence to ethical standards.
f. Implement the Decision: Communicate the decision to stakeholders, adjust
the project timeline, and allocate resources for the fix.
g. Reflect and Evaluate: After the fix, assess the impact on the product’s
performance and stakeholder trust. Use the experience to refine the decision-
making process.

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Activity 3.1

Understanding ethical and unethical behaviours in everyday life and sharing

personal experiences of them in a group discussion.
Materials Needed: A piece of paper and a pencil/pen
Instruction
a. Form a small group with your classmates ensuring diversity (i.e. gender
balance and mixture of ethnic backgrounds)
b. Let the team select one member as the team’s moderator.
c. Each member should list four (4) ethical behaviours in everyday life
and indicate their experiences of ethical behaviours.

S/N Ethical Behaviour Personal Experience

1.

2.

3.

4.

d. Each member should list four (4) unethical behaviours in everyday life
and indicate their experiences of unethical behaviours.

S/N Unethical Behaviour Personal Experience

1.

2.

3.

4.

e. Each group member should read out what they wrote, and the moderator
allows for two (2) comments and constructive criticisms from other
group members.
f. Use the comments and criticism from your colleagues to improve upon
your submissions.
g. Collect all the contributions from your group and submit them to your
facilitator for review and additional comments.

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Activity 3.2

Identification of ethical and unethical behaviours faced by engineers in decision-

making involving small projects within the community.
Learners should decide whether the behaviour is ethical or unethical faced by
engineers and tick appropriately.
Worksheet: Ethical and Unethical behaviours

S/N Behaviours Ethical Unethical

1 Cutting corners

2 Transparency

3 Teamwork

4 Discrimination

5 Whistle blowing

6 Sustainability

7 Environmental negligence

8 Dishonesty

9 Bribery and corruption

10 Confidentiality

Activity 3.3

Case Study Scenario: An engineer working on the construction of a new bridge

discovers a critical design flaw that could potentially lead to structural failure.
The bridge is intended to connect two major cities and is expected to support
heavy traffic. The project is already facing significant delays and budget overruns.
Reporting the flaw would likely lead to additional costs and further delays, and
the engineer fears it might also damage their professional reputation and that of
their firm. However, if the flaw is not addressed, there is a serious risk to public
safety. The engineer must decide whether to report the flaw to their superiors or
stay silent.

Objective: To help you understand the ethical implications of engineering

decisions and the impact of those decisions on society.

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Instructions:
a. Form a small group with your classmates, ensuring diversity.
b. You and your group should pick up a copy of the case study scenario,
analyse it and prepare a presentation of your deductions.
c. The presentation should include:
i. Description of the ethical dilemma.
ii. Identification of stakeholders, that is, Engineer (who finds the flaw),
Manager (concerned about the project deadline), Safety Inspector
(focused on public safety), Government Official (concerned about
political implications).
iii. Possible actions the engineer could take.
iv. Analysis of the potential consequences of each action.
v. The group’s recommended course of action and rationale.
d. Present your findings to your class in a 10 minute presentation.
e. Allow for questions and discussions after your presentations.

Lead questions for student analysis and discussion

a. What are the primary ethical issues in this case?
b. What professional responsibilities does the engineer have in this
situation?
c. Who are the stakeholders affected by the engineer’s decision?
d. How might each stakeholder be impacted by the decision to report or
not report the flaw?
e. What are the possible actions the engineer could take?
f. What are the pros and cons of each action?
g. What are the potential short-term and long-term consequences of
reporting the flaw?
h. What are the potential short-term and long-term consequences of
staying silent?
i. Based on your analysis, what action would your group recommend the
engineer take?
j. How does this recommended action align with ethical principles and
professional standards?
k. How does this case study illustrate the importance of ethics in
engineering?
l. What lessons can be learned from this case to apply to future
engineering projects?

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Activity 3.4

You will engage in a detailed exploration of how engineers’ ethical and unethical
behaviours affect society. This will be done through group discussions.
Objectives
a. Understand the societal impact of engineers’ decisions.
b. Identify the consequences of ethical and unethical behaviours in
engineering.
c. Develop skills in critical thinking, ethical reasoning, and public
speaking.
Instructions
a. Form a small group with your classmates to ensure diversity.
b. Explain the activity objectives and the importance of ethics in
engineering.
Questions to Consider:
a. Why are ethics important in engineering?
b. How do engineers’ decisions affect the broader society?
1. Learners watch the video below on everyday life

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-p1P4fdhaF8
Discuss the good and bad behaviours exhibited in the video above.

2. Learners watch a video on engineering ethics

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldQABp2MuQ4
After watching the above video, learners discuss using the following questions:
a. What engineering ethical behaviours can you identify in the video?
b. What unethical behaviours did you identify from the video?
c. How costly is unethical behaviours to engineers

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DISTINGUISH BETWEEN ETHICAL AND

UNETHICAL BEHAVIOURS IN ENGINEERING
PRACTICE
Distinguishing between ethical and unethical behaviours in engineering practice
involves evaluating actions and decisions based on various key principles. Here is an
overview of how behaviours can be categorised as ethical or unethical under each
principle:
1. Professional Responsibility
Ethical Behaviours:
• Adhering to professional standards and codes of conduct.
• Prioritising public safety, health, and welfare.
• Reporting unethical practices and taking responsibility for one’s actions.
• Providing services only in areas of competence.
Unethical Behaviours:
• Neglecting safety standards or regulations.
• Ignoring or covering up mistakes that could harm others.
• Taking on projects beyond one’s competence without proper supervision.
• Failing to report unethical practices.
2. Honesty and Integrity
Ethical Behaviours:
• Being truthful and transparent in all professional communications.
• Accurately representing one’s qualifications and experiences.
• Providing honest assessments and avoiding false claims.
• Admitting and correcting mistakes promptly.
Unethical Behaviours:
• Misrepresenting qualifications, experiences, or work results.
• Providing misleading or false information.
• Engaging in deceitful practices for personal gain.
• Failing to correct known errors.
3. Conflicts of Interest
Ethical Behaviours:
• Disclosing any potential conflicts of interest.
• Recusing oneself from decisions where impartiality is compromised.
• Prioritising the client’s or public’s interest over personal gains.

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Unethical Behaviours:
• Hiding conflicts of interest.
• Making decisions that benefit oneself at the expense of clients or the public.
• Accepting gifts or favours that could influence professional judgment.
4. Environmental and Social Impact
Ethical Behaviours:
• Considering the environmental and social impact of engineering projects.
• Implementing sustainable practices and minimising harm.
• Engaging in projects that promote social good and environmental stewardship.
Unethical Behaviours:
• Ignoring the environmental and social consequences of projects.
• Pursuing profits or efficiency at the cost of environmental degradation.
• Engaging in projects that harm communities or ecosystems without mitigation
measures.
5. Respect for Intellectual Property
Ethical Behaviours:
• Acknowledging and respecting the intellectual property rights of others.
• Using patented or copyrighted materials only with permission or proper
licensing.
• Giving proper credit to original creators and contributors.
Unethical Behaviours:
• Plagiarising or copying others’ work without permission.
• Failing to attribute or give credit to original sources.
• Using proprietary information for unauthorised purposes.
6. Professional Competence
Ethical Behaviours:
• Continuously updating skills and knowledge to maintain competence.
• Seeking additional training or education when necessary.
• Providing services only within the scope of one’s expertise.
Unethical Behaviours:
• Offering services outside one’s area of competence without adequate training.
• Neglecting continuing education and professional development.
• Relying on outdated or insufficient knowledge in practice.

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Unethical Behaviours in Engineering Practice

1. Negligence
• Ethical: Diligently performing duties with due care and attention to detail.
• Unethical: Ignoring critical safety checks or failing to address known issues.
Example: Overlooking known design flaws that could lead to catastrophic failures.
2. Bribery and Corruption
• Ethical: Maintaining integrity and fairness in all professional dealings.
• Unethical: Engaging in bribery or corrupt practices to secure contracts or
approvals.
Example: Offering gifts or payments to officials in exchange for favourable treatment.
3. Exploitation
• Ethical: Ensuring fair compensation and working conditions for all employees
and contractors.
• Unethical: Exploiting workers by underpaying them or subjecting them to
unsafe working conditions.
Example: Using cheap labour in unsafe conditions to maximise profits.
4. Dishonesty in Professional Qualifications
• Ethical: Accurately representing one’s qualifications and experience.
• Unethical: Misrepresenting or exaggerating credentials to obtain projects or
positions.
Example: Claiming expertise in an area where one has little to no experience.
5. Failure to Report Unethical Behaviour
• Ethical: Reporting observed unethical behaviour to appropriate authorities.
• Unethical: Ignoring or covering up unethical actions by oneself or others.
Example: Not reporting a colleague’s falsification of safety data.
6. Conflict of Interest
• Ethical: Disclosing any potential conflicts of interest and taking steps to mitigate
them.
• Unethical: Concealing conflicts of interest that could influence professional
judgment.
Example: Secretly benefiting from contracts awarded to a family member’s company.

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DEMONSTRATE ETHICAL BEHAVIOUR IN CASE

STUDY SCENARIOS
These are some case study scenarios to illustrate ethical behaviour in engineering
practice:

Case Study 1: Environmental Responsibility

Scenario: An engineer is designing a manufacturing plant and identifies an opportunity
to implement a more expensive, but significantly more environmentally friendly, waste
management system.
• Ethical Behaviour: The engineer advocates for the implementation of the
environmentally friendly system, presenting a case to management that includes
long-term benefits and compliance with environmental regulations.
• Explanation: By promoting sustainable practices, the engineer demonstrates a
commitment to environmental responsibility and long-term thinking. This decision
aligns with the ethical principles of protecting the environment and public health.

Case Study 2: Safety and Compliance

Scenario: An engineer is working on the design of a new bridge. During the design
process, they identified a potential structural weakness that could pose a risk to public
safety.
• Ethical Behaviour: The engineer reports the weakness to their supervisor and
recommends additional analysis and modifications to the design, even though this
might delay the project and increase costs.
• Explanation: Prioritising public safety over project deadlines and costs demon-
strates ethical behaviour. The engineer’s transparency and commitment to safety
ensures that the bridge will be safe for public use.

Case Study 3: Conflict of Interest

Scenario: An engineer is tasked with selecting a contractor for a large infrastructure
project. One of the potential contractors is owned by a close family member.
• Ethical Behaviour: The engineer discloses conflict of interest to their employer
and recuses themselves from the decision-making process to ensure impartiality
and fairness.
• Explanation: Disclosing conflicts of interest and stepping aside from the selection
process maintains fairness and avoids any perception of bias or favouritism. This
action upholds the integrity of the selection process.

Case Study 4: Reporting Unethical Behaviour

Scenario: An engineer discovers that a colleague has been falsifying safety inspection
reports to expedite project approvals.

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• Ethical Behaviour: The engineer reports unethical behaviour to the appropriate

authorities within their organisation, following established procedures for whis-
tleblowing.
• Explanation: Reporting unethical behaviour demonstrates a commitment to
integrity and public safety. It ensures that the issue is addressed, maintaining the
credibility of the engineering profession, and protecting the public from potential
harm.

Case Study 5: Honesty in Reporting

Scenario: An engineer is conducting tests on a new type of material intended for use
in construction. The initial test results are not favourable, showing that the material
does not meet the required safety standards.
• Ethical Behaviour: The engineer accurately reports the test results to their client
and management, suggesting further research and development to improve the
material’s properties.
• Explanation: By reporting the actual test results without falsification, the engineer
maintains integrity and honesty. This ensures that only safe and reliable materials
are used in construction, protecting future users and clients.

Case Study 6: Professional Competence

Scenario: An engineer is offered a project that involves advanced robotics, a field in
which they have limited experience.
• Ethical Behaviour: The engineer declines the project, explaining their lack of
expertise, and suggests either obtaining additional training or collaborating with a
colleague who has the necessary skills.
• Explanation: By acknowledging their limitations and seeking to ensure the project
is handled by a qualified professional, the engineer upholds the ethical principle of
competence. This ensures the project is completed to a high standard and reduces
the risk of failure.

Case Study 7: Respect for Intellectual Property

Scenario: An engineer is preparing a presentation and finds a detailed analysis that
perfectly supports their argument. The analysis was conducted by another engineer.
• Ethical Behaviour: The engineer cites the original author and acknowledges their
work in the presentation.
• Explanation: Giving proper credit to the original author demonstrates respect
for intellectual property and maintains academic and professional integrity. It
encourages a culture of respect and collaboration within the engineering community.

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Case Study 8: Responsible Data Management in Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Applications:
Scenario: Engineers are developing AI systems that process and analyse substantial
amounts of user data.
• Ethical Behaviour: The engineers prioritise data privacy and security, ensuring
that user data is anonymised, encrypted, and used only for legitimate purposes.
They adhere to data protection regulations and inform users about how their data
will be used to obtain informed consent.

Activity 3.5

A company discovers a significant safety issue in their latest product just before
its launch. The marketing team wants to proceed with the launch while working
to fix this significant safety issue, but the engineering team believes the product
should not be released until the issue is resolved.

Objective: To help you understand the ethical implications of business decisions,

especially when they involve safety concerns, and to analyse the impact of those
decisions on various stakeholders.

Instructions:
a. Form a small group with your classmates (4-5 students per group).
b. Pick up a printed copy of the case study scenario.
c. In your group, prepare a presentation summarising your analysis.
d. Include the following in the presentation:
i. Description of the ethical dilemma.
ii. Identification of stakeholders (Engineers, manager, safety officer,
marketing team, customers).
iii. Possible actions the company could take.
iv. Analysis of the potential consequences of each action.
v. The group’s recommended course of action and rationale.
f. Your group presents your findings to the class in 5 minutes.
g. After each presentation, there will be time for questions and discussion.

Guideline questions
a. What are the primary ethical issues in this case?
b. What professional responsibilities do the marketing and engineering teams
have in this situation?
c. Who are the stakeholders affected by the company’s decision?
d. How might each stakeholder be impacted by the decision to delay the launch
or proceed as planned?

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e. What are the possible actions the company could take?

f. What are the pros and cons of each action?
g. What are the potential short-term and long-term consequences of delaying
the launch?
h. What are the potential short-term and long-term consequences of
proceeding with the launch?
i. Based on your analysis, what action would your group recommend the
company take?
j. How does this recommended action align with ethical principles and
professional standards?
k. How does this case study illustrate the importance of ethics in business and
engineering?
l. What lessons can be learned from this case to apply to future business and
engineering projects?

Activity 3.6

You are part of a team working on a large infrastructure project. One of your
colleagues suggests cutting corners on materials to save costs.

Objective: To help you understand the ethical implications of cost-cutting

decisions in engineering projects. This activity will also develop your skills in
ethical reasoning, teamwork, and decision-making.

Instructions
a. Form a small group with your classmates (4-5 students per group).
b. Pick up a printed copy of the case study scenario.
c. In your group prepare a presentation summarising your analysis.
d. Include the following in the presentation:
i. Description of the ethical dilemma.
ii. Identification of stakeholders (Engineers, manager, safety officer,
customers).
iii. Possible actions the company could take.
iv. Analysis of the potential consequences of each action.
v. The group’s recommended course of action and rationale.
f. Your group presents your findings to the class in 10 minutes.
g. After each presentation, there will be time for questions and discussion.

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Guideline questions
a. What are the primary ethical issues in this case?
b. What professional responsibilities does each team member have in this
situation?
c. Who are the stakeholders affected by the team’s decision?
d. How might each stakeholder be impacted by the decision to cut corners or
not?
e. What are the possible actions the team could take?
f. What are the pros and cons of each action?
g. What are the potential short-term and long-term consequences of cutting
corners on materials?
h. What are the potential short-term and long-term consequences of finding
alternative solutions?
i. Based on your analysis, what action would your group recommend the team
take?
j. How does this recommended action align with ethical principles and
professional standards?
k. How does this case study illustrate the importance of ethics in engineering
projects?
l. What lessons can be learned from this case to apply to future engineering
projects?

Activity 3.7

You are a junior engineer at a water treatment engineering firm working on

a large-scale industrial project. You have noticed some discrepancies in the
environmental impact reports (such as falsifying data or improperly disposing
of hazardous materials) prepared by a senior engineer, who is known to have
significant influence within the company. These actions could lead to severe
environmental harm, affecting local communities and ecosystems.

Objective: To help you understand the ethical dilemmas involved in

whistleblowing, especially when it concerns environmental harm, and to analyse
the impact of your decisions on your career, the environment, and society.

Instructions
a. Form a small group with your classmates (4-5 students per group).
b. Pick up a printed copy of the case study scenario.
c. In your group prepare a presentation summarising your analysis.
d. Include the following in the presentation:
i. Description of the ethical dilemma.

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ii. Identification of stakeholders (Engineers, manager, safety officer,

environment).
iii. Possible actions the company could take.
iv. Analysis of the potential consequences of each action.
v. The group’s recommended course of action and rationale.
f. Your group presents your findings to the class in 10 minutes.
g. After each presentation, there will be time for questions and discussion.

Guideline questions
a. What are the primary ethical issues in this case?
b. What professional responsibilities does the junior engineer have in this
situation?
c. Who are the stakeholders affected by the junior engineer’s decision?
d. How might each stakeholder be impacted by the decision to report or not
report the unethical practices?
e. What are the possible actions the junior engineer could take?
f. What are the pros and cons of each action?
g. What are the potential short-term and long-term consequences of reporting
the senior engineer to the stakeholders?
h. What are the potential short-term and long-term consequences of staying
silent?
i. Based on your analysis, what action would your group recommend the
junior engineer take?
j. How does this recommended action align with ethical principles and
professional standards?
k. How does this case study illustrate the importance of ethics in engineering
and environmental protection?
l. What lessons can be learned from this case to apply to future engineering
projects and professional conduct?

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Review Questions

1. How do you understand ethical behaviour in the context of engineering?

2. Provide an example of an ethical decision an engineer might make.
3. State five (5) common unethical behaviours in engineering?
4. Why is it important for engineers to adhere to ethical standards?
5. Describe a real-world example of unethical behaviour in engineering and its
consequences.
6. How can engineers ensure they are making ethical decisions?
7. State three (3) roles professional engineering organisations play in promoting
ethical behaviour?
8. How do you understand conflict of interest, and how can it be managed
ethically in engineering?
9. Why is it unethical to ignore safety standards to cut costs in engineering
projects?
10.State four (4) steps taken by engineering firms to promote a culture of ethical
behaviour?
11.Why is it important for engineers to adhere to a code of ethics in their
professional practice?
12.How does ethical behaviour in engineering contribute to public safety?
13.Give an example of a situation where an engineer must choose between an
ethical and an unethical action. What should the engineer do and why?
14.Give two (2) potential consequences of unethical behaviour in engineering for
the engineer, the public, and the profession
15.How does honesty in reporting and documentation benefit an engineering
project?
16.Describe how an engineer can handle a situation where they are pressured to
compromise on quality to meet a deadline.
17.Outline environmental responsibilities of engineers that will help to promote
engineering ethics.
18.How can engineering firms create a culture that promotes ethical behaviour?
19.Explain the concept of a conflict of interest in engineering and how it can be
managed ethically.
20.Why is it important for engineers to engage in continuous professional
development related to ethics?

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Extended Reading
• Pritchard, M. S., Englehardt, E. E., & Rabins, M. J. (2003). Engineering Ethics. Frey &
• Wellman, 2003, 620-632.
• Psycharis, S., Sdravopoulou, K., & Kalovrektis, K. (2023). Attitudes of Engineers Towards
• Ethics and Prospects for Education. In International Conference on Interactive Collaborative
• Learning (pp. 66-76). Cham: Springer Nature Switzerland.
• Whitbeck, C. (2011). Ethics in engineering practice and research. Cambridge University Press.
• Schinzinger, R., & Martin, M. W. (2000). “Introduction to Engineering Ethics”.

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Acknowledgements

List of Contributors
Name Institution

Ing. Timothy Alhassan Kumasi Technical University

Ing. Dr. Daniel Opoku Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology

Daniel K. Agbogbo Kwabeng Anglican SHTS

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