Ethics 1ETHICAL AND CODES CONDUCT REPORTby (Name)The Name of the Class (Course)Professor (Tutor)The Name of the School (University)The City and State where it is locatedThe Date
Ethics 2Abstract The code of ethics and conduct is a fundamental and paramount component of everyprofession. All professions, including engineering has a code of conduct that guides theperformance and operation of professional duty. Thus, members of the engineering fraternityare expected to conduct themselves in the highest standard of integrity and honesty in all theirdealings. Therefore, this paper provides a case study related to the engineering sector- TheVolkswagen Emission Scandal. Additionally, it provides an overview of the case and highlightsand discusses the various implications and outcomes of the scandal. Lastly, the paper highlightsand analyses the various relevant professional code of ethics and conduct that are relevant tothe case of Volkswagen Emission Scandal.
Ethics 3ContentsIntroduction................................................................................................................................................4Engineering code of ethics......................................................................................................................5Case Study- The Volkswagen Emissions Scandal..............................................................................5Outcomes of the Scandal........................................................................................................................7Engineers and the Environment...........................................................................................................10Analysis....................................................................................................................................................11Conclusion...............................................................................................................................................18
Ethics 4Ethical and Codes Conduct ReportIntroductionIt is worth noting that a code of ethics plays a critical role in guiding the operations ofcompanies. Primarily, it is a guide of principles designed to help organizations and professionalsto conduct business honestly and with integrity. It outlines and stipulates the mission and valuesof the profession or industry, and how professionals in the line of work are expected to approachproblems, the ethical principles based on the organization’s core values and the principles towhich the profession is held. Engineering companies adopts a code of ethics and conduct withthe aim of guiding professionals to act and work within certain standards and maintain certainvalues and missions (Merkel and Burmeister, 2015). The engineering code of conduct helps itsmembers in understanding the difference between right and wrong in order to apply them intheir decision making process. In this paper, we shall discuss the various code of ethics andconduct in the engineering profession with particular focus on the Volkswagen emissionsscandal. Primarily, the company violated the code of ethics and conduct by infringing theirclients’ trust and producing motor vehicles that caused significant environmental pollution whiledisguising them as compliant to environmental regulations. The paper also discusses thevarious engineering codes of ethics and conduct and analyses how Volkswagen violated thesefundamental rules of practice. It also provides detailed background information of the case andthe outcomes after the event.
Ethics 5Engineering code of ethicsAs members in this line of work, engineers are required to demonstrate the higheststandards of integrity and honesty. Mainly, this is due to the fact that the profession has a vitaland direct influence on the quality of life of the society. Thus, engineers and engineering firmsmust provide their services in a manner that reflects impartiality, fairness, honesty and equity.Most importantly, their work must reflect a devotion to the safeguarding of the safety, health andwelfare of the society. Furthermore, they must execute their activities under a standard ofprofessional behavior that calls for adherence to the highest principle of ethical conduct (Codeof Ethics, n.d.). Today, the fundamental canons of their professional conduct include: To carryout services only in their areas of specialization and expertise. In addition, they are expected togive public statements only in a truthful and objective manner. They are also required to act foreach of their clients as faithful agents and trustees (Code of conduct, n.d.). Further, the ethicalcode necessitates them to avoid any deceptive acts in their operation. Also, they are obliged toconduct themselves responsibly, honorably, ethically, and lawfully in order to enhance anduphold the usefulness, reputation and honor of the engineering profession. Case Study- The Volkswagen Emissions ScandalA 2015 article in the BBC News website by Hotten explains the Volkswagen emissionscandal. According to the article, many Volkswagen vehicles that were being sold in the USwere installed with a software in their engines to change the performance of the engines whenthey were being tested to alter the results to more acceptable limits. The case began inSeptember 2015 when the United States Environmental Protection Agency issued a notice ofviolation to the company. According to the environmental agency, Volkswagen purposelyprogrammed a turbocharged direct injection (TDI) diesel engine to activate their emissionscontrol during laboratory analysis in order to meet US environmental standards during thetesting process. By the time they were exposed, the company has already placed the software
Ethics 6in about eleven million cars worldwide. In America alone, about half a million cars had theprogram installed. After the incident was exposed in the US, other countries began investigatingthe company. In Europe, about 1.2 million Volkswagen cars were sold.
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