Introduction to Code of Ethics
A code of ethics is a guide of principles designed to help professionals of any relating
professions conduct business honestly and with integrity. Code of ethics record may plot the
mission and estimations of the business or association, how experts should approach issues, the
moral standards in view of the association's center esteems and the standards to which the expert
is held.
In simpler words, code of ethics or ethical codes are adopted by organizations to show members
to differentiate and understand between the right and wrong of all the related actions.
Many organizations utilize the ethical codes and set of accepted rules reciprocally but it might be
valuable to make a refinement. A code of ethics will begin by setting out the qualities that
support the code and will portray an organization's commitment to its partners. The code is freely
accessible and routed to anybody with an enthusiasm for the organization's exercises and the way
it works together. It will incorporate subtle elements of how the organization intends to execute
its values and vision, and also direction to staff on moral norms and how to accomplish them.
For all businesses, laws regulate issues such as hiring and safety standards. Compliance-based
codes of ethics usually not only set out guidelines for conduct, but also lay out penalties for
violations.
In some industries, including banking, specific laws govern business conduct. These industries
tend to formulate compliance-based codes of ethics to ensure that legalities are being followed.
Employees usually undergo formal training to learn the rules of conduct. Because
noncompliance can create legal issues for the company as a whole, individual workers within a
firm may face penalties for failing to follow guidelines.
2
,To ensure that the aims and principles of the code of ethics are followed, some companies
appoint a compliance officer. This individual is tasked with keeping up to date on changes in
regulation codes and monitoring employee conduct to encourage conformity. This type of code
of ethics is based on clear-cut rules and well-defined consequences rather than individual
monitoring of personal behavior. Therefore, despite strict adherence to the law, some
compliance-based codes of conduct do not promote a climate of moral responsibility within the
company.
Ethical codes are often adopted by management, not to promote a particular moral theory, but
rather because they are seen as pragmatic necessities for running an organization in a complex
society in which moral concepts play an important part.
They are distinct from moral codes that may apply to the culture, education, and religion of a
whole society. It is debated whether the politicians should apply a code of ethics, (Buonomo,
2000) or whether it is a profession entirely discretionary, just subject to compliance with the law.
However, recently codes of practice have been approved in this field. (Nationale, Assemblée,
2017)
3
, Code of Ethics For Engineers
Engineering is the discipline of acquiring and applying scientific and technical knowledge to the
design, analysis and construction of works for practical purposes. ABET1 defines engineering as,
“The creative application of scientific principles to design or develop structures, machines,
apparatus, manufacturing processes, or works utilizing them singly or in combination, or to
construct or operate the same with full cognizance of their design, or to forecast their behavior
under specific operating conditions, all as respects an intended function, economics of operation
and safety to life and property” (Holmes, 2002). The broad discipline of engineering
encompasses a range of specialized sub-disciplines that focus on the issues associated with
developing a specific kind of product or using a specific type of technology.
Engineering, similarly to law and medicine, is a profession, which means that it is an occupation,
vocation or career where specialized knowledge of a subject, fields or science is applied
(Wikipedia, 2008). Professional bodies that may set examinations of competence, act as a
licensing authority for practitioners and enforce adherence to an ethical code of practice usually
regulate professions.
Engineering ethics is the field of applied ethics, which examines and sets standards for
engineers’ obligations to the public, their clients, employers and the profession (Petroski, 1985).
Engineers do not have a single uniform system or standard of ethical conduct across the entire
profession. Ethical approaches vary somewhat by discipline and jurisdiction but are most
influenced by whether the engineers are independently providing professional services to clients
or the public if employed in government service or if they are employees of an enterprise
creating products for sale.
1
Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, Inc., is a non-governmental organization that accredits post-secondary
education programs in "applied science, computing, engineering, and engineering technology".
4
A code of ethics is a guide of principles designed to help professionals of any relating
professions conduct business honestly and with integrity. Code of ethics record may plot the
mission and estimations of the business or association, how experts should approach issues, the
moral standards in view of the association's center esteems and the standards to which the expert
is held.
In simpler words, code of ethics or ethical codes are adopted by organizations to show members
to differentiate and understand between the right and wrong of all the related actions.
Many organizations utilize the ethical codes and set of accepted rules reciprocally but it might be
valuable to make a refinement. A code of ethics will begin by setting out the qualities that
support the code and will portray an organization's commitment to its partners. The code is freely
accessible and routed to anybody with an enthusiasm for the organization's exercises and the way
it works together. It will incorporate subtle elements of how the organization intends to execute
its values and vision, and also direction to staff on moral norms and how to accomplish them.
For all businesses, laws regulate issues such as hiring and safety standards. Compliance-based
codes of ethics usually not only set out guidelines for conduct, but also lay out penalties for
violations.
In some industries, including banking, specific laws govern business conduct. These industries
tend to formulate compliance-based codes of ethics to ensure that legalities are being followed.
Employees usually undergo formal training to learn the rules of conduct. Because
noncompliance can create legal issues for the company as a whole, individual workers within a
firm may face penalties for failing to follow guidelines.
2
,To ensure that the aims and principles of the code of ethics are followed, some companies
appoint a compliance officer. This individual is tasked with keeping up to date on changes in
regulation codes and monitoring employee conduct to encourage conformity. This type of code
of ethics is based on clear-cut rules and well-defined consequences rather than individual
monitoring of personal behavior. Therefore, despite strict adherence to the law, some
compliance-based codes of conduct do not promote a climate of moral responsibility within the
company.
Ethical codes are often adopted by management, not to promote a particular moral theory, but
rather because they are seen as pragmatic necessities for running an organization in a complex
society in which moral concepts play an important part.
They are distinct from moral codes that may apply to the culture, education, and religion of a
whole society. It is debated whether the politicians should apply a code of ethics, (Buonomo,
2000) or whether it is a profession entirely discretionary, just subject to compliance with the law.
However, recently codes of practice have been approved in this field. (Nationale, Assemblée,
2017)
3
, Code of Ethics For Engineers
Engineering is the discipline of acquiring and applying scientific and technical knowledge to the
design, analysis and construction of works for practical purposes. ABET1 defines engineering as,
“The creative application of scientific principles to design or develop structures, machines,
apparatus, manufacturing processes, or works utilizing them singly or in combination, or to
construct or operate the same with full cognizance of their design, or to forecast their behavior
under specific operating conditions, all as respects an intended function, economics of operation
and safety to life and property” (Holmes, 2002). The broad discipline of engineering
encompasses a range of specialized sub-disciplines that focus on the issues associated with
developing a specific kind of product or using a specific type of technology.
Engineering, similarly to law and medicine, is a profession, which means that it is an occupation,
vocation or career where specialized knowledge of a subject, fields or science is applied
(Wikipedia, 2008). Professional bodies that may set examinations of competence, act as a
licensing authority for practitioners and enforce adherence to an ethical code of practice usually
regulate professions.
Engineering ethics is the field of applied ethics, which examines and sets standards for
engineers’ obligations to the public, their clients, employers and the profession (Petroski, 1985).
Engineers do not have a single uniform system or standard of ethical conduct across the entire
profession. Ethical approaches vary somewhat by discipline and jurisdiction but are most
influenced by whether the engineers are independently providing professional services to clients
or the public if employed in government service or if they are employees of an enterprise
creating products for sale.
1
Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, Inc., is a non-governmental organization that accredits post-secondary
education programs in "applied science, computing, engineering, and engineering technology".
4
