Module 5

Question Bank
 Multinational Corporations, Environmental Ethics, Business Ethics, Computer Ethics
 Role in Technological Development, Moral leadership
 Engineers as Managers, Consulting Engineers, Engineers as Expert witnesses and advisors

1. What is business ethics? (3 Mark)

The term ‘Business Ethics’ refers to the system of moral principles and rules of the conduct applied to
business. • A business should aim to have fair dealing with everyone dealing with it
3 Sources of Business Ethic: • Religion • Culture • Law
Importance of Business Ethics
• Corresponds to Basic Human Needs • Credibility in the Public • Credibility with the Employees • Better
Decision Making • Profitability • Protection of Society.

2. Differentiate between patent and trade secret. (3 Mark)

A Patent is an exclusive right granted for an invention. It provides the patent owners with protection generally for a
period of 20years.

 Once the patent protection is granted, that invention cannot be commercially made, used, distributed
or sold without the patent owner’s consent. •
 Courts provide the legal safety for these patent rights.

A trade secret is the information which is kept confidential as a secret. •

 This information is not accessed by the any other (competitor) than the owner.
 The trade secrets may be formulae, methods, programs, process, test results, data collected, analyzed,
synthesized etc.,

3. Explain the different types of issues in computer ethics. (7 Mark)

 Computer ethics are related to all the computer professionals such as programmers, analysts,
operators, designers, etc. along with the users.

The ten commandments of Computer Ethics, created in 1992 by the Computer Ethics Institute consists of the
following One should never use a computer –

1. To harm the people (anti-social activities)

2. To interfere with other’s work (illegal manipulations)
3. To snoop into other’s files (malware)
4. To steal a computer/data (hacking)
5. To bear false witness (manipulation and morphing)
6. To use/ copy a software you didn’t pay for (like illegal downloads and usages)
7. To use other’s intellectual output inappropriately (violating IPR)
8. Doing without thinking of social consequences of the program being written
9. Always use a computer ensuring consideration and respect towards fellow beings.
10. To use or copy other’s software without compensations (illegal pirated versions)
 4. Discuss about the role of engineers as expert witness. (7 Mark)
 Engineers are required to act as consultants and provide expert opinion and views in many legal
cases of the past events.
 They are required to explain the causes of accidents, malfunctions and other technological behavior
of structures, machines, and instruments.
Engineers as expert witnesses implies:
 Exhibit the responsibility of confidentiality
 They must answer questions truthfully
 Experts should earnestly be impartial in identifying and interpreting the observed data, recorded data,
and the industrial standards.
5. What are the various conflict situations faced by a project manager managing a work site? (7 Mark)
 Based on this definition, conflict in project management can take many different forms.
 In-fighting between team members who disagree on a creative vision,
 arguments with upper management about expectations and timelines,
 or even spats with third-party vendors are all prime examples of project conflict
 project Vision. In an ideal construction project, everyone has the same vision for the project as the
client or project manager. ...
 Group Differences. Construction is all about teamwork. ...
 Lack of Communication. ...
 Poor Leadership. ...
 Conflict Disagreements.
6. Explain human centred Environmental ethics with nature centred ethics. (7 Mark) / What is
environmental ethics
Environmental Ethics deal with issues related to the rights of individuals
• The environment ethics include –
1. The study of moral issues concerning the environment
2. Moral perspectives, beliefs and attitudes concerning those issues.

Two World Views on Environmental Ethics

1.) Anthropocentric Worldview
✓ Man is considered to be most capable for managing the planet earth.
✓ The success of mankind depends upon how good managers we are for deriving benefits for us from nature.

2.) Eco-centric Worldview

• Nature exists not for human beings alone, but for all the species
• The earth resources are limited and they do not belong only to human beings.
• The success of mankind depends upon how best we can cooperate with the rest of the nature while trying to
use the resources of nature for our benefit.

7. Justify the need of moral leadership in today's business environment.

 In the long-term ethical leadership can prevent company scandals, ethical dilemmas, and ethical
issues.
 This can lead to better partnerships and customers which leads to better revenues and profits as well
as developing loyal employees who are also a crucial element of long-term success for a business
 8. Discuss the following in detail: a) Engineer as consultants/ List any, three ethical responsibilities of
consulting engineer
The consulting engineers differ from the salaried engineers of an organization
• These consulting engineers work in private and are paid per advice they offer or for the service
• Consultants are individuals who typically work for themselves but may also be associated with a
consulting firm.
The consulting engineers have ethical responsibilities different from the salaried engineers, as follows
• Advertising
• Competitive Bidding Explain Detail – Watch Video
• Contingency Fee (Commission paid)
• Safety and Client’s Needs
9. Explain characteristics of Business Ethics.
 Defines Code Of Conduct
 Protects Social Group
 Control Business Malpractices
 Related To Moral and Social Values
 Requires Willingness to Accept
 Creates Good Image
 Relative Term
 Requires Education and Guidance

Defines Code of Conduct

 Business ethics defines the code of conduct for every business. It clearly defines the activities that business
should adopt in its code of conduct.

 Ethics states what is right or what is wrong for a business and what a business should do or what it should
not do for its growth and welfare of society.

 It provides basic framework for doing a business. Ethics defines social, cultural, economic, legal and other
limits of business and they should operate within these limits.

Protects Social Group

 Business ethics provide protection to different social groups associated with business. Implementation of
ethics in business ensures that it does not operate only for its growth but should also consider the welfare of
social group.

 Needs and rights of customers, employees, government, shareholders, creditors, small businessmen etc. are
given equal importance along with their own goals by business. Business adopting and following ethics
therefore gives protection to all social groups.

Control Business Malpractices

 Business ethics monitors and keeps a check on any malpractices in business. It ensures business performs all
activities ethically without getting involved in any unfair trade practices.

 Business ethics avoids adoption of unfair trade activities like adulteration, black marketing, frauds and
cheating in product, improper weights and measures etc. Controlling of all these malpractices by ethics helps
in maintaining the legality of business.
Related To Moral And Social Values
 Ethics in business are based on moral principles and social values. These ethics states that business should
operate morally without exploiting others.

 Business should not only focus on its profitability or growth but also work for the betterment of its
stakeholders. Ethics in business includes self-control, providing service to society, consumer welfare and
protection, treating social groups fairly, not exploiting others, etc.

Requires Willingness To Accept

 Implementation of business ethics requires the willingness to accept by businessmen. This is the basic
requirement for successful adoption of ethics by any business.

 Ethics are voluntary in nature and are not enforceable by any law. These ethics must be adopted like self-
discipline by businessmen at their own choice.

10. Explain role off computer in Technological Development

 Computer Technology in Food

Farmers use innovations in computer technology to determine the best time to plant, fertilize, harvest and sell crops.
The Internet offers weather and stock market reports in real-time, and its global network of potential buyers is more
expansive than local merchants.
 Computer Technology in Services
The importance of computer technology in the services industry is increasing. Computer technology includes any
machines that receive commands and perform calculations or services accordingly. Many types of operations, such
as billing, record keeping, transactions and planning, take place through commercially available or customized
machines.
 Computer Technology in Entertainment
Major motion pictures and television programs use some form of visual, audio and animation effects in their
production. Video games employ graphics produced by a computer, and each game plugs into a computer-based
home entertainment system.
 Computer Technology in Communication Explain Yourself
 Computer Technology in Education
 Computer Technology in Transportation

11. Explain MNC. Explain advantages and limitations of MNC

 A multinational company is one which is incorporated in one country (called the home country); but
whose operations extend beyond the home country and which carries on business in other countries
(called the host countries)
 A multinational corporation is known by various names such as: global enterprise, international
enterprise, world enterprise, transnational corporation etc.
 • E.g. : Cadbury, Coca-Cola Corporation, Unilever etc,
Advantages of MNCs from the Viewpoint of Host Country
• Employment Generation
• Automatic Inflow of Foreign Capital
• Proper Use of Idle Resources
• Technical Development
• Managerial Development
• End of Local Monopolies
• Improvement in Standard of Living
 • Promotion of international brotherhood and culture.
Limitations of MNCs from the Viewpoint of Host Country
• Danger for Domestic Industries
• Repatriation of Profits
• No Benefit to Poor People
• Danger to Independence
• Disregard of the National Interests of the Host Country
• Careless Exploitation of Natural Resources • Selfish Promotion

12. Describe the various requirements for engineers who act as advisors
The engineers are required to give their view on the future such as in planning, policy-making, which involves the
technology.
• Various issues and requirements for engineers who act as advisors are:
❑ Objectivity
❑ Study All Aspects
❑ Values Watch video for Explanation
❑ Technical Complexity
❑ National Security

13. Explain Moral leadership

 Engineers contribute to technological process, as managers provide many forms of leadership in developing
and implementing technology.
 Moral leaders, are the individuals who direct, motivate, organize groups towards morally valuable goals.

Moral Leadership is Important because:

• To build morally creative leaders

• Participation in Professional Societies
Watch video for Explanation
• Voluntary service
• Leadership in Communities
• Motivate the group

14. Explain Engineers as Managers

 An Engineer is responsible in promoting ethics in an organization, through framing organizational policies,
responsibilities and by personal attitudes and obligations.
 An engineer should be able to work as a manager in such situations, resolving conflicts according to priorities,
keeping the organizational benefits in mind.
 The issue must be resolved without hurting anyone’s feelings and by developing a mutual understanding

Watch video for Explanation

15. Conclude the features of biometric ethics

 Do not harm: Biometrics organizations must avoid actions that harm people or the environment.
 Respect for personal data: When shared, stored, and processed, personal data must be respected and treated
with care.
  Upholding a commitment to transparency: Transparency is paramount. This means communicating with
people about four main criteria: what data is being collected; what the data will be used for; with whom the
data will be shared; and for how long the data will be retained.

 Working to secure biometric data: First, efforts should be made to minimize data; that is, to collect
and retain just what is necessary to achieve the purpose for which the data was collected in the first
place.
 Promoting accountability: Security management professionals have to strive for accountability. At
the outset, biometric technology developers and end-users need to work together to develop and
provide training to the individuals operating the biometric systems.
 Resolving and redressing any problems that arise: Security management professionals need to
conduct operational performance assessments on a regular basis when deploying these technologies,
and regularly upgrade these systems to ensure the use of the most accurate, secure and privacy-
protective technologies available.

16. Name any three professional societies and their role relevant to engineers.
1. National Society of Professional Engineers
The National Society of Professional Engineers was established in 1934 and is one of the only professional
organizations for engineers that has stated goal of addressing the non-technical concerns of professional and
licensed engineers.
2. IEEE
The IEEE is noted for being the world's largest technical professional organization that prides itself on the
advancement of technology in all fields of engineering. With over 420,000 members spanning 160 countries,
it is an international organization that is active in corporate identity, governance, global public policy, and
education..
3. American Association of Engineering Societies
The American Association of Engineering Societies was established in 1979 is one of the five best
professional organizations for engineers; it is a multidisciplinary organization that is dedicated to the
knowledge and practice of the field.
4. Society of Women Engineers
The Society of Women Engineers focuses on women within the field; it is an association that delivers
continuing education as well as networking opportunities to its members.
5. International Engineering Consortium
The International Engineering Consortium was established in 1944 and is the leading nonprofit organization
that brings together both universities and engineering societies for the purpose of the continuing education of
engineers.
6. ASME – American society of Mechanical Engineers
7. SAE – Society of automobile engineers

17. Evaluate the technology transfer and appropriate technology.

 Technology transfer is the movement of data, designs, inventions, materials, software, technical
knowledge or trade secrets from one organisation to another or from one purpose to another.
 The technology transfer process is guided by the policies, procedures and values of each
organisation involved in the process.
 Appropriate technology (AT) is technology that is designed to be "appropriate" to the context it
is intended for - including environmentally, culturally and economically. The main characteristics of
most ATs are that they should be sustainable, small and appropriate.
 18. Investigate the causes and effects of acid rain with a case study
 Acid rain is made up of highly acidic water droplets due to air emissions, most specifically the
disproportionate levels of sulphur and nitrogen emitted by vehicles and manufacturing processes. It is often
called acid rain as this concept contains many types of acidic precipitation.
 The causes of acid rain are Sulphur and Nitrogen particles which get mixed with the wet components of
rain. Sulphur and Nitrogen particles which get mixed with water are found in two ways either man-made i.e
as the emissions that are given out from industries or by natural causes like lightning strike in the
atmosphere releasing nitrogen oxides and volcanic eruptions releasing sulphur oxide.
 The regular clean rain we experience, even though it is not clean i.e water and carbon dioxide react together
to form weak carbonic acid which essentially by itself is not extremely harmful.
 H2O (l) + CO2 (g) ⇌ H2CO3 (aq)
 The pH value of regular rainwater is around 5.7, giving it an acidic nature. The oxides of nitrogen and
sulphur are blown away by the wind along with the dust particles. They settle on the earth’s surface after
coming down in the form of precipitation. Acid rain is essentially a by-product of human activities which
emit oxides of nitrogen and sulphur in the atmosphere. Example – the burning of fossil fuels, unethical
waste emission disposal techniques.

Effects of Acid Rain: Acid rain is very harmful to agriculture, plants, and animals. It washes away all
nutrients which are required for the growth and survival of plants. Acid rain affects agriculture by the way it
alters the composition of the soil.

 It causes respiratory issues in animals and humans.

 When acid rain falls down and flows into the rivers and ponds it affects the aquatic ecosystem. It alters the
chemical composition of the water, to a form which is actually harmful to the aquatic ecosystem to survive
and causes water pollution.
 Acid rain also causes the corrosion of water pipes, which further results in leaching of heavy metals such as
iron, lead and copper into drinking water.
 It damages the buildings and monuments made up of stones and metals.

Real-Life Examples: Taj Mahal, one of the 7 wonders of the world, is largely affected by acid rain. The city of
Agra has many industries which emit the oxides of sulphur and nitrogen in the atmosphere. People continue to use
low-quality coal and firewood as a domestic fuel, adding to this problem. Acid rain has the following reaction with
the marble (calcium carbonate):

19. Conclude the features of ecocentric ethics

Ecocentrism places the primary focus on the ecosystem in its entirety rather than looking at the
environment from a perspective of human interests, with a view primarily concerned with human interests
called anthropocentris