Engineering Ethics in A Multicultural Global Economy

Recent political upheavals that have occurred throughout the world will be followed by significant changes in the global economic order. The changes in the global economy will change engineering practice. Engineers from the United States will have greater access to work in formerly closed societies. While there may be new technological problems to overcome, practice in a multicultural global company will require engineers to handle a broader array of ethical dilemmas. Specifically, cultural influences on business practices will need addressing. This may require engineers to act at a higher level of moral development and to respect the values of other cultures. Values such as efficiency, timeliness, family responsibilities, and the value of land and nature have different levels of importance in different cultures. Different evaluations of risk and the issue of women engineers practicing may require adjustments to the business practices of other cultures. Addressing these issues as part of engineering practice adds a new dimension to business conduct in a multicultural global economy.