Authors :
Md Rezayan Hasan S ny; Mumit Ahmed; Razikul Hasan Milon; RIFAT Jahan Labony; Rahat Hasan Rabbi
Volume/Issue :
Volume 9 - 2024, Issue 5 - May
Google Scholar :
https://tinyurl.com/3muxf3b2
Scribd :
https://tinyurl.com/3x43xeev
DOI :
https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/IJISRT24MAY1683
Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.
Abstract :
This thesis explores the vital intersection of
engineering ethics and management decision-making,
emphasizing the need for ethical considerations in
engineering practices to ensure responsible and sustainable
outcomes. Engineering ethics encompasses a set of moral
principles guiding the professional conduct of engineers,
essential for maintaining public safety, welfare, and trust.
The study investigates the application of three major
ethical theories—deontological ethics, utilitarianism, and
virtue ethics—in engineering contexts. Additionally, it
examines decision-making models, including the rational
decision-making model, bounded rationality, and intuitive
decision-making, highlighting their integration with ethical
principles.
Through detailed case studies such as the Challenger
disaster and the Volkswagen emissions scandal, the thesis
illustrates the real-world implications of ethical and
managerial failures. These case studies underscore the
importance of prioritizing ethical considerations and the
catastrophic consequences of neglecting them. The
research culminates in proposing a comprehensive
framework for ethical decision-making in engineering
management, consisting of four steps: ethical awareness,
ethical judgment, ethical intent, and ethical action. This
framework aims to systematically incorporate ethics into
engineering decisions, supported by tools such as ethical
checklists, decision trees, and ethical risk assessment
models.
The thesis concludes by emphasizing the critical role
of an ethical culture within engineering organizations and
the need for ethical leadership and accountability
mechanisms. Recommendations include fostering an
ethical culture, implementing ethical frameworks,
encouraging ethical leadership, and enhancing oversight
and accountability. The study also identifies areas for
future research, including cross-cultural ethical practices,
the impact of emerging technologies, and longitudinal
studies on the long-term effects of ethical decision-making
frameworks.
Keywords :
Virtue Ethics, Engineering Ethics, Management Decision-Making, Deontological Ethics, Challenger Disaster, Ethical Leadership, Ethical Culture, Accountability.
References :
- Harris, C. E., Pritchard, M. S., Rabins, M. J., James, R., & Englehardt, E. (2009). Engineering Ethics: Concepts and Cases. Cengage Learning.
- Martin, M. W., & Schinzinger, R. (2005). Ethics in Engineering. McGraw-Hill.
- Johnson, D. G. (2019). Computer Ethics. Pearson.
- National Society of Professional Engineers. (2018). Code of Ethics for Engineers. Retrieved from https://www.nspe.org/resources/ethics/code-ethics
- IEEE. (2021). IEEE Code of Ethics. Retrieved from https://www.ieee.org/about/corporate/governance/p7-8.html
- National Academy of Engineering. (2004). The Engineer of 2020: Visions of Engineering in the New Century. National Academies Press.
- Davis, M. (1998). Thinking Like an Engineer: Studies in the Ethics of a Profession. Oxford University Press.
- Fleddermann, C. B. (2017). Engineering Ethics. Pearson.
- Van de Poel, I., & Royakkers, L. (2011). Ethics, Technology, and Engineering: An Introduction. Wiley.
- Velasquez, M., Andre, C., Shanks, T., & Meyer, M. J. (2015). Thinking Ethically: A Framework for Moral Decision Making. Santa Clara University.
- Frankel, M. S. (2012). Professional Codes: Why, How, and with What Impact?. Journal of Business Ethics, 106(2), 183-189.
- Kidder, R. M. (2005). How Good People Make Tough Choices: Resolving the Dilemmas of Ethical Living. Harper Paperbacks.
- Moore, D. (2001). Ethical Guidelines in Engineering Practice: Research, Education, and Technology Transfer. Science and Engineering Ethics, 7(2), 197-212.
- Schinzinger, R., & Martin, M. W. (2000). Introduction to Engineering Ethics. McGraw-Hill.
- Snapper, J. W., & Baase, S. (2003). Educating Engineers: Designing for the Future of the Field. Jossey-Bass.
- Johnson, D. G. (2006). Computer Ethics. Pearson Education.
- Pritchard, M. S., & Rabins, M. J. (2008). Professional Ethics in Engineering. Cambridge University Press.
- Martin, M. W. (2006). A Case Approach to Engineering Ethics. Springer.
- Van de Poel, I. (2011). The Relation Between Engineering and Responsibility: A Perspective from the Philosophy of Technology. Science and Engineering Ethics, 17(3), 507-515.
- Wankel, C. (Ed.). (2018). Encyclopedia of Business in Today's World. SAGE Publications.
- Wankel, C., & Stachowicz-Stanusch, A. (Eds.). (2015). Handbook of Research on Teaching Ethics in Business and Management Education. IGI Global.
- Whitbeck, C. (2009). Ethics in Engineering Practice and Research. Cambridge University Press.
- Davis, M. (1991). Thinking Like an Engineer: Studies in the Ethics of a Profession. Oxford University Press.
- Harris, C. E., Jr. (2000). Applying Moral Theories. Wadsworth Publishing Company.
- Luegenbiehl, H. C. (1995). The Individual, Society, and Education: A History of American Educational Ideas. SUNY Press.
- Whitbeck, C. (2006). Ethics in Engineering Practice and Research. Cambridge University Press.
- Davis, M. (1999). Ethics and the University. Routledge.
- Hartman, L. P., DesJardins, J., & MacDonald, C. (2013). Business Ethics: Decision-Making for Personal Integrity & Social Responsibility. McGraw-Hill Education.
- Velasquez, M. G. (2006). Business Ethics: Concepts and Cases. Pearson Prentice Hall.
- Reynolds, T. W., & Ceran, K. (2016). Evolving Paradigms in Engineering Ethics Education. Springer.
This thesis explores the vital intersection of
engineering ethics and management decision-making,
emphasizing the need for ethical considerations in
engineering practices to ensure responsible and sustainable
outcomes. Engineering ethics encompasses a set of moral
principles guiding the professional conduct of engineers,
essential for maintaining public safety, welfare, and trust.
The study investigates the application of three major
ethical theories—deontological ethics, utilitarianism, and
virtue ethics—in engineering contexts. Additionally, it
examines decision-making models, including the rational
decision-making model, bounded rationality, and intuitive
decision-making, highlighting their integration with ethical
principles.
Through detailed case studies such as the Challenger
disaster and the Volkswagen emissions scandal, the thesis
illustrates the real-world implications of ethical and
managerial failures. These case studies underscore the
importance of prioritizing ethical considerations and the
catastrophic consequences of neglecting them. The
research culminates in proposing a comprehensive
framework for ethical decision-making in engineering
management, consisting of four steps: ethical awareness,
ethical judgment, ethical intent, and ethical action. This
framework aims to systematically incorporate ethics into
engineering decisions, supported by tools such as ethical
checklists, decision trees, and ethical risk assessment
models.
The thesis concludes by emphasizing the critical role
of an ethical culture within engineering organizations and
the need for ethical leadership and accountability
mechanisms. Recommendations include fostering an
ethical culture, implementing ethical frameworks,
encouraging ethical leadership, and enhancing oversight
and accountability. The study also identifies areas for
future research, including cross-cultural ethical practices,
the impact of emerging technologies, and longitudinal
studies on the long-term effects of ethical decision-making
frameworks.
Keywords :
Virtue Ethics, Engineering Ethics, Management Decision-Making, Deontological Ethics, Challenger Disaster, Ethical Leadership, Ethical Culture, Accountability.