Introduction
International engineering ethics is a branch of the engineers code of ethics that relates to the engineer`s standards of honesty and integrity apart from being a profession. Fairness, honesty, equity and impartiality are basic to this profession. Standard professionally behavior is hence a principal to ethical conduct. Thus, the NSPE code of ethics came up with the fundamental canons and rules that guide engineers. The Canons include holding paramount safety, public welfare, and health measures. It reinstates the performance of service in areas of competence. The code of ethics recognizes the aspect of truthfulness to both employers and clients. This case study will discuss on the International Engineering Ethics. This is because the professional ethics in engineering practice based on NSPE case refers to it as a highly impaired ethical part in this profession. The Board of Ethical Review (BER) of NSPE (National Society of Professional Engineers) as thus pointed it out as one of the most affected aspect. The space shuttle disaster in 1986 is an example of behaviors in this profession that led to 7 astronauts killed (Lowe 55).
Foreign Engineer working in another country
The International Engineering Ethics is greatly influenced by the nationality of the engineer and his or her legality to work in another nation. This is to be done through recognition by the NSPE. All engineers are members of the NSPE body and, therefore, underlay on the body laws of conduct and law. For an engineer delivering services to foreign national and local governments under the laws of given by his or her country, it is legal. Thus, the legality offers him an opportunity to provide funds to public officials so that he can obtain project assignments. Provision of funds by this engineer to public officials in foreign nations is against the NSPE codes of ethics in which he is a member. This is available in NSPE cases number 98-2. The space shuttle disaster of 1986 that was due faulty design of rocket boosters and insufficient low temperature analysis of the O-ring material points towards lack of honesty in work by Engineers (Lowe 86).
An engineer setting up his own engineering firm
This takes into light the action of commission payment under a marketing agreement. This code of ethics is retrieved from the NSPE number 78-7. Through the engineer drafting a marketing agreement that develops the contacts within the stated geographical areas, this promotes fairness. It must evaluate potential projects within that area. The coordinate project development must also be emphasized (Harris and Pritchard 88). International engineering ethics firmly imposes the terms and conditions of the contract between the new client and the firm that is represented. The basic fee and the retainer are to be legally recognized. In addition, both fees are not only proposed by one party but negotiated by both. The firm is to receive a marketing fee which is a negotiated portion which is actually the firm the engineer represents. This is because he helps market the projects (Wolfe and Pinkus 79).
Gifts to foreign officials
The BER is against gift rewarding to foreign officials. Providing gifts to foreign officials in favor of seeking contracts from them is an illegal act according to the NSPE case number 76-6. This is mostly observed in contracts that have not matured in early Attempts of negotiation terms. It is illegal and not established to give personal gifts to the officials who are appointed to give contracts to foreign firms. While, in this act, it is important to remember that the involved is included in the contract, and if work is rewarded to the firm and it is against the law. It will, therefore, be regarded to have disobeyed the international legal ethics of engineering. Gift rewarding becomes a bribe when it is offered with expectance of a return favor. This is legal, and thus these kinds of gifts are not given openly. This element of NSPE is not appropriate, has the firm can come up with ways that can make their clients consider allocating them work. In addition, most of these rewards are given to clients in a suggestive process (Harris and Pritchard 56).
Conclusion
In conclusion, international engineering ethics is a matter that has affected most engineers and engineering firms. This regards to how they deliver their services starting from the firm to each employee in the firm. Faithfulness and honesty has not been taken into account leading to most of the firm being banned or moving into aspects of financial problems. Gifts to foreign officials in search of contracts and misconduct against the NSPE are not to be tolerated.
Works cited
Harris Charles & Pritchard. Engineering Ethics: Concepts and Cases. New York. Cengage Learning Publishers, 2009. Print.
Lowe Jr. Ethics in engineering design. New York. Professional Engineering Publishers, 2003. Print.
Wolfe Harvey & Pinkus Rosa. Engineering Ethics: Balancing Cost, Schedule, and Risk - Lessons Learned from the Space Shuttle. New York. Prentice Hall, 2009. Print.
