Essay 13: Ethical behaviour (project awards)

Assuming that you are the principal partner of a reputable engineering-based firm in a small

state in the country. Your family is very well reputed, respected and influential, having lived

and worked in the state for decades.

Leaders of certain political party approach you seeking your assistance to campaign for them

in the forthcoming state by-elections, they have promised to award your company with all the

major projects awarded by the state government. It is desirable for your firm to secure new

projects. Discuss critically on your actions, taking account of the IEM’s regulations on

Professional Conduct. (The following write-up was prepared (written) by Mr. BAY prior to his

sitting for PI on Feb 2014. It is shared here for reference of other candidates.)

Introduction

Engineer, when called upon to give opinion, shall give opinion that is reliable. Prior to any

statement made, he shall ensure his qualification to make such statement. No one shall benefit

from his statement with prospect and fair treatment deserved by others being scarified.

For the scenario, which I were principal partner of a reputable engineering-based firm and my

family was well reputed, respected and influential in the small state, I believe the respect and

credits to our family are due to genuine and honest contribution from all family members since

decades. As an engineer, I presume the respect earned from genuine efforts and contribution to

public services, design, buildings of public amenities to the small state.

Hence, I shall continue to take the interest and benefit of community as the priority. In the

same time, I shall not scarify the dignity of the engineering profession and company.
In other words, I will reject the invitation of errant leaders of political parties to assist them in

campaigning in the coming state by-election in order to secure major projects after election.

Uphold the dignity of profession

The dignity of the profession of engineer shall be upholded. We shall not campaign for the any

political party with the name of well-known engineer and his reputable firm. Engineers are to

provide professional services and accept remuneration for services rendered by them.

All engineers shall not exchange the dignity of the profession for his own benefits but harming

the image of the profession.

Maintain company image and interest of fellow partners

For the scenario, which I were the principal partner of reputable engineering-based firm, I have

duty and responsibility to safeguard interest of fellow partners and all staffs too. Though the

firm desires to secure new projects, the project shall be obtained via ethical appropriate channel

such as via open bidding process. This should be the successful secret of the firm to-date.

All fellow partners also have high standard of ethical behavior and competent. They are

definitely not supporting to secure new project via supporting errant leaders of political party.

If I choose to support the errant political leaders, the company image and interest of fellow

partners could be jeopardized because voters definitely reject errant political leaders and

unethical approaches.
Do not jeopardize the prospect of other fellow engineers

All projects, especially government initiated for the benefits of nation and people, shall only

awarded via competitive and open bidding process. For the scenario, which I were already

principal partner of a reputable engineering firm, I presume I should already an elder engineer

in the industry. Therefore, it is reasonably that both my firm and I do not jeopardize fair

opportunity to other fellow engineers.

All engineer with appropriate competency and skills shall be given chances to secure the

projects. In the long run, all engineers will become more competent and it is definitely good

for the industry, profession and public.

Contribute to sustainable development of the profession

All benefits obtained via inappropriate and unethical approaches are short term and not

sustainable. Both inappropriate and unethical approaches, may in short period, make oneself

gain. However, it is damaging both the individual and others in the industry because there could

be many to follow unethical approaches. If this situation happens, the profession will become

unattractive and not sustainable.

Be integrity and competent

Engineers’ works often involve millions of ringgits. The works are often related to benefits of

public, nation and clients. Hence, we shall be integrity and transparent in both implementation

of project and efforts to secure projects. With integrity, only public will perceive engineers are

competent and not errant.

Accept remuneration from employer for services rendered

Engineers accept remuneration for professional services, for their competency and professional

services, rendered to clients. They only take responsibility that they are confident to discharge.

The errant leaders of political party, though make promise to award major projects upon

winning the by-election, are not client to engineers. The administrator of the major projects is

government, which are elected representatives by people. The clients are the government and

people.

Should my firm was chosen for the major projects, it is remuneration for services rendered.

Make reliable public statement and relevant with qualification

Engineers are professional people with technical qualification and competency. He shall not

make public statement which he is not deemed the qualified and suitable person to make. He

shall not wrongfully make statement that resulted public perception that his fellows, company

and all association memberships that he may have linked to backup and support of his

statement. If he does otherwise, no one indeed will benefit but creation of bad image to his own

and others.

Do not improperly solicit work

By assisting the errant leaders of political party and in return for award of major project, in my

opinion, is improper act to solicit works too. It is because there is no ethical method to secure

jobs and it can be considered benefits accepted other than employers.

Both the government and the people indeed, are the employers and clients, if the projects

awarded to engineers.

Conclusion

Though it is desirable for a firm to secure projects, the process shall be transparent and via

competitive bidding process. Jobs awarded with hidden secrets and unethical method will not

be sustainable for the firm. It is because the firm could have lost his competency. Furthermore,

as an elder reputable engineer, he has greater responsibility to show good sample to his peers

for advancement of the profession.

In other words, I will reject the request of the errant leaders of political party. If he is willing

to listen, I will further advise them to listen to people and sincerely to provide services to

people. With that, only will they gain victory in the by-election and supports from people.

Reference: http://b-cafeconstruction.blogspot.my/2014/03/iem-pi-section-b-question-13.html