The Ethical Behavior of Engineers and Engineering Managers: An Analysis of the Space Shuttle Program

20世纪70年代，第一个持续和系统的研究， 工程伦理在美国这些研究已经 成功地界定了该领域的规范层面， 确定对安全、适当照顾和 责任是决定性的特征。 一些实证研究 在个案研究和调查中， 研究主要是关于举报和记录 工程工作中的道德问题。 一些当前 一项研究正在研究认知和社会价值是如何进入 工程决策更广泛，塑造设计和 实践 该项目将通过集中精力 特别是在实践中的道德决策 工程. 跨学科的调查小组将 进行为期一年的试验性个案研究， 开发一个特定的系统或子系统， 航天飞机计划。 这一分析将探讨 组织背景在这个决策过程中发挥作用。 一个专家小组，必要时再增加一名或两名专家， 三名顾问，包括一名工程道德专家、一名 结构完整性和热应力分析专家， 力学断裂和粘合，以及哲学专家 科学，将有助于选择的情况下， 他们将继续评估 在整个授标期内，这一努力的进展情况。 该项目将确定工程师如何感知，表达和 解决发展中出现的伦理问题， 复杂先进的技术 最重要的是 设计决策涉及诸如按比例放大， 性能规格外推和数学 现象的表征。 由于这些设计活动 涉及到对不确定性和风险的分析， 在工程判断的运用中，结合价值， 本案例研究将确定这些 出现了转折点。 通过将完成的案例提交给 实习工程师和工程专业的学生， 将开始构建一个规范性的描述， 决定被感知和解决。 这名飞行员将 评估用于工程教育，并形成基础 以确定是否进一步回顾或前瞻性 研究是值得的。 这个项目具有内在的和实际的重要性。 的 调查人员及其顾问都是非常合格的; 机构支持非常好。 阶段性研究设计 具有成本效益。 结果可能会广泛传播 和普遍的兴趣。 82，788美元的支助是 推荐

The 1970s saw the first sustained and systematic studies of engineering ethics in the U.S. These studies have been successful at delimiting the normative dimensions of the field, establishing that concerns for safety, due care and responsibility are defining characteristics. Some empirical work has been done, in case studies and surveys; the focus in these studies has been mainly on whistleblowing and documenting the incidence of ethical problems in engineering work. Some current research is examining how cognitive and social values enter into engineering decisionmaking more broadly, to shape design and practice. This project will break new ground by focussing specifically on ethical decisionmaking in the practice of engineering. The interdisciplinary team of investigators will conduct a one-year pilot case study on the design and development of a specific system or subsystem selected from the Space Shuttle Program. This analysis will examine the role that organizational contexts play in this decisionmaking process. Augmented by one or two additional experts as needed, a panel of three consultants, including an expert in engineering ethics, an expert in structural integrity and thermal stress analysis and on the mechanics fracture and adhesion, and an expert in philosophy of science, will assist in the selection of the case and the information to be sought from it. They will continue to evaluate the progress of this effort throughout the term of the award. The project will identify how engineers perceive, articulate and resolve ethical difficulties that arise in the development of complex, advanced technologies. Of paramount interest are design decisions that involve such activities as scale up, extrapolation of performance specification, and mathematical representations of phenomena. Since these design activities involve analysis of uncertainty and risk, they create situations where exercise of engineering judgments, incorporating values, are relied on. This case study will identify where these junctures occurred. By presenting the completed case to practicing engineers and engineering students, the investigators will begin to construct a normative description of how ethical decisions are perceived and resolved. This pilot will be evaluated for use in engineering education, and form the basis for determining whether further retrospective or prospective studies are worthwhile. This project is of intrinsic and practical importance. The investigators and their advisors are very well qualified; institutional support is very good. The phased research design is cost-effective. Results are likely to be widely distributed and of general interest. Support in the amount of $82,788 is recommended.