Jonathan Song [jcsong3]
AE 460 – Fall 2023
Exercise #8 – Ethics Case Studies
1.
Select an Ethics Case Study to discuss –Possible sources:
National Academy of Engineering:
https://onlineethics.org/resources
National Society of Professional Engineers
Markkula Center for Applied Ethics, Santa Clara University:
https://www.scu.edu/ethics/focus-areas/more/engineering-ethics/engineering-ethics-cases/
2.
What resource did you use to find the case?
What is the title?
(Someone else will need to be able to find the case
based on this information)
National Academy of Engineering -
“A Software Sales Dilemma”
3.
In your case study, decide:
a.
What are the issues and points of conflict?
The key issues and points of conflict in this scenario revolve around ethical considerations in the sales process. First,
there is a potential ethical dilemma in engaging the German professor as a consultant solely for endorsement
purposes, without any actual work or contribution to the product. This raises questions about the authenticity and
transparency of the company's sales tactics. Additionally, there is a conflict between the pressure to secure deals in
Germany and the ethical standards related to honest representation of product capabilities. Susan and Peter must
navigate the balance between meeting business objectives and maintaining integrity in their approach, considering
the potential impact on the company's reputation and IPO success.
b.
Who will be affected by the outcome of your decision?
The outcome of the decision will affect various stakeholders within and outside SpeechGenius. Internally, Susan and
Peter, as well as their respective teams, will be impacted by the ethical choice made. The company's senior leaders
and shareholders, including Susan and Peter with their pre-IPO stock options, will also be affected as the decision
could influence the success of the IPO. Externally, potential customers in Germany, especially those considering
purchasing the software, may be impacted by the authenticity of the endorsement. The German professor's
reputation and credibility could also be affected. Ultimately, the broader community of investors, customers, and
partners will be influenced by the ethical stance taken by SpeechGenius.
c.
What are the consequences?
The consequences of the decision to engage the German professor solely for endorsement purposes without any
substantive contribution may have several repercussions. Firstly, there is a risk of tarnishing SpeechGenius's
reputation, potentially leading to a loss of trust among customers and investors. If the lack of authenticity in the
professor's endorsement is discovered, it could result in legal and financial consequences for the company. The
German market's perception of SpeechGenius may be negatively impacted, hindering future business opportunities.
Internally, ethical lapses could affect the morale and trust within the company, potentially causing rifts between
teams. Furthermore, there may be long-term consequences for Susan, Peter, and other stakeholders if the IPO's
success is compromised due to ethical concerns.
d.
What are your obligations as an engineer?
As an engineer in this scenario, ethical and professional obligations come to the forefront. First and foremost, there
is a responsibility to uphold the principles of honesty, integrity, and transparency in all professional dealings. This
includes accurately representing the capabilities and features of the software to potential customers. Additionally,
there is an obligation to prioritize the well-being of the end-users who will rely on the software, ensuring that it meets
the necessary standards of quality and reliability. As part of a technical team, the engineer should advocate for ethical
business practices within the organization, resisting pressure to compromise these principles for short-term gains.
Upholding professional standards contributes to the overall trustworthiness and credibility of the engineering field.
