Engineering Ethics Nassif Fall 2014

Case Study Assignment # 1
Instructions: Answer each question or address each prompt as thoroughly as possible. When
applicable, try to incorporate the theoretical material from that we have discussed thus far. Also,
consider the “meanings of responsibly” section on pages 16-17 in your book as past of your
analysis.
1-2 pages
I
Ruskin Manufacturing has guaranteed Parker Products that it will deliver the complete order of
small machines by the 10th of the month, a Friday. Parker had already extended its deadline
once. This time, it insists, the date must be met. Tim Vinson, head of quality control, had been
confident the deadline would be met. But on the 8th he learns that a new component of the
machines is in short supply. He thinks of several options:
1. Approve breaking up and regrinding the remaining supply of the old component that was
being replaced. This could probably be accomplished in time, but the speed at which it
would have to be done raises concerns about impurities in the process.
2. Approve using the old component in place of the new one. The product would still
function well, and it would be unlikely that Parker would ever detect the difference.
Although Parker would not be getting exactly what it ordered, the product would meet
minimal safety and durability standards.
3. Discuss the problem with the design engineer and see what he suggests. Which of these
options would you recommend? Can you think of any other options that might be
preferable?
II
Tim decides to consult with Chuck Davidson, the chief design engineer for this product. Chuck
says, “I don’t have a good answer for you. There’s no time to come up with a completely
satisfactory alternative. You could regrind, but given the time frame you might get a lot of
impurities. Or you could just use the old components. But I’m not going to advise either of those.
I don’t want this hanging over my head. Maybe you should call Arnold.” Arnold Peterson is Vice
President of Product Engineering. Years ago, like Tim Vinson, Arnold served as head of quality
control. Tim is somewhat uneasy about calling Arnold for two reasons. First, Tim feels
responsible for not seeing the problem earlier, and he is reluctant to admit failure to the Vice
President of Product Engineering. Second, he wonders if Arnold would really want to be
bothered by something like this. He might simply tell Tim that the problem is his to solve —
somehow. Still, Tim is not comfortable with the idea of just resolving the problem by himself.
What should Tim do next?
III (Version 1)
Hesitant to take matters in his own hands, Tim calls Arnold. Consider three possible scenarios:
a. Arnold says, “You’re supposed to take care of these things yourself, Tim. I don’t want to
hear about stuff like this. Just meet the deadline. I used to have to deal with this kind of
problem all the time. Management made it very clear to me that it doesn’t want bad news-
-it wants results.” What should Tim do now?
b. Arnold says, “Look Tim, you haven’t been at this very long. Parker doesn’t want to hear
about this. If something goes wrong with the product, they don’t want to have to tell their
customers that they knew about the problem. They’ll want to point the finger at us. They
also made it very clear that we’ve had it if we don’t meet the deadline this time. I don’t
like this kind of situation, but we’ve got to take a little risk here. Just get the stuff over
there somehow.” What should Tim do now?
c. Tim learns that Arnold is out of town until next week and cannot be reached. What
should Tim do now?
III (Version 2)
Tim decides not to call Arnold. He thinks Arnold would not want to be bothered by this problem
and would simply tell Tim that it is up to him to resolve it in such a way that a major customer is
not disappointed. So, he approves substituting the old component in place of the new one.
Several weeks later Arnold learns from an internal source that Tim substituted the old
component. He calls Tim into his office and asks for an explanation. What should Tim say?
IV Following III (Version 1)
Tim approves substituting the old component, and the order is met on time. However, several
months later Parker returns to Ruskin several of the machines from the order Tim completed.
Parker complains that the machines in this part of the order are not functioning as efficiently as
the others. When a Parker technician dissembled several of the less efficient machines and
compared them with one that was working well, she discovered that each of the less efficient
ones has a key component that differs from the well functioning machine. Parker asks for an
explanation. Word now comes to Tim that he is expected to appear at a meeting with Arnold
Peterson and a Parker representative. What should he be prepared to say at the meeting?
V
Suppose Tim substitutes the old component for the new one, and neither Parker nor anyone else
outside of Ruskin ever finds out. All parties are satisfied. Does it follow that Tim acted
appropriately?