Engineering Ethics in a Corporate Setting

Advice from the Texas Instruments Ethics Office

Discussion and advice on ethical problems that commonly arise in the high tech work place.

Mini-cases from Lockheed Martin Corporation

These mini-cases are part of a game, Graymatters, devised by George Sammet, Jr., to teach ethical norms and Lockheed Martin's policies to their employees. Mr. Sammet is currently Vice President of International Ethics and Business Conduct for the Lockheed Martin Corporation. The game has been adopted by several other very large high tech corporations that are also government contractors.

Towards a Theory of Moral Change.

By Charles E. Harris. To what extent can we understand moral change conceptually? Are there any factors that are always, or at least commonly, associated with moral change? Would knowledge of these factors help us to understand present moral controversy or even to anticipate moral change? Is it possible to have a theory of moral change? In this talk I shall try to address these questions in a preliminary way. (Professional Ethics, Numbers 1 and 2, Spring/Summer, 1997)

On Being the Bearer of Bad News.

By Philip Koopman. In this essay, Philip Koopman discusses the perils of presenting problems to management, and offers concrete suggestions and advice on how best to proceed in such a situation. This essay was originally published as part of a series on ethics and engineering by the SSIT Ethics Committee of the IEEE.

How to Be a Good Engineer (Speaker's Guide).

By Joseph H. Wujek and Deborah G. Johnson. This set of pages comprises a sample lecture that might be given to an audience of engineering students on the topic of the importance of ethical behavior in the engineering profession. Text for slides, an annotated bibliography, and several examples of engineering ethics pledges and oaths are also included. The talk was prepared by the authors for the Ethics Committee of The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Washington, DC.

Essays on Wrongful and Retaliatory Discharge.

Essays and cases about Engineers who are maintain they are dischargged for whistleblowing or other public safety issues.

Drug Testing on a Ford Plant Trip.

A lightly edited first-person account from a former student, Todd Riggs (quoted with permission), of a percieved ethical violation by a corporation.

Resources Maintained by Others

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2000 National Business Ethics Survey (NBES)

In this survey published every two years by the Ethics Resource Center, measures how employees nationwide (USA) view ethics in their own workplaces. The report summary contains useful information about the role of ethics in corporations. See also related articles and reviews.

Nortel's site containing their Corporate Code of Ethics

This website also contains Nortel's ideology pertaining to responsible action and accountability in the global community, and resources for corporate ethics. This site is well-maintained and gives the reader an insightful example into global responsibility in the corporate world.

Government and the Freedom of Science.

An Essay by John T. Edsall, published and maintained by Science Magazine, that explores the government's involvement in science and how it affects the inquiries of scientists.

"Carrot" and "Stick" Incentive Proposals for Eliminating Whistleblowing.

By Walter L. Elden. Several bold initiative incentives are proposed for handling ethical and technical dissent, thereby reducing the need for whistleblowing by constructively resolving conflicts.