TECHNICAL PAPERS
Oct 1, 1994
Is it Necessary to Compromise Engineering Ethics to Remain Competitive?
Publication: Journal of Professional Issues in Engineering Education and Practice
Volume 120, Issue 4
Abstract
The obvious and politically correct answer to the question is “No,” which may seem to be incompatible with the business realities of engineering. Compromising ethics certainly may make it easier to remain competitive. Ultimately, though, it will threaten the engineer's credibility and therefore his or her competitiveness. Educating the client is one of the engineer's principal responsibilities, especially when the client is not an engineer. The engineer must realize that while education can help clients better understand engineering issues, it will not eliminate a client's concern about cost. The engineer should remain sensitive to cost and realize that a finished product that exceeds the client's cost expectations may be considered a failure, regardless of the quality. In some instances quality‐based selection undoubtedly suffers from intense price competition. But when the client truly understands what is necessary to protect the public safety, health, and welfare, the engineer will be less likely to feel pressure to compromise his or her ethics to remain competitive.
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Copyright © 1994 American Society of Civil Engineers.
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Received: Feb 25, 1994
Published online: Oct 1, 1994
Published in print: Oct 1994
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Jim V. Anderson, Associate Member, ASCE
Envir. Engr., CH2M HILL, 115 Perimeter Ctr. Place NE, Ste. 700, Atlanta, GA 30346
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Terms of Use: ASCE Library Cards are for individual, personal use only. Reselling, republishing, or forwarding the materials to libraries or reading rooms is prohibited.
Terms of Use: ASCE Library Cards are for individual, personal use only. Reselling, republishing, or forwarding the materials to libraries or reading rooms is prohibited.