Engineering Ethics

Industrial Engineering- Work Analysis & Design

Please discuss each question completely. Justify your answers.
Do not give simple one sentence responses. I expect a thoughtful
discussion on each part (at least 200 words per part).

CASE STUDY ONE – INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

Part 1) Derek Evans used to work for a small computer firm that
specializes in developing software for management tasks. Derek was
a primary contributor in designing an innovative software system
for customer services. This software system is essentially the
“lifeblood” of the firm. The small computer firm never asked Derek
to sign an agreement that software designed during his employment
there becomes the property of the company. However, his new
employer did. Derek is now working for a much larger computer firm.
Derek’s job is in the customer service area, and he spends most of
his time on the telephone talking with customers having systems
problems. This requires him to cross reference large amounts of
information. It now occurs to him that by making a few minor
alterations in the innovative software system he helped design at
the small computer firm the task of cross referencing can be
greatly simplified. On Friday Derek decides he will come in early
Monday morning to make the adaptation. However, on Saturday evening
he attends a party with two of his old friends, you and Horace
Jones. Since it has been some time since you have seen each other,
you spend some time discussing what you have been doing recently.
Derek mentions his plan to adapt the software system on Monday.
Horace asks, “Isn’t that unethical? That system is really the
property of your previous employer.” “But,” Derek replies, “I’m
just trying to make my work more efficient. I’m not selling the
system to anyone, or anything like that. It’s just for my use —
and, after all, I did help design it. Besides, it’s not exactly the
same system — I’ve made a few changes.”What follows is a
discussion among the three of you.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: What is your contribution
to the conversation? What questions should you be asking? Why?
Justify your answers with a complete discussion

Part 2) Derek installs the software Monday morning. Soon
everyone is impressed with his efficiency. Others are asking about
the “secret” of his success. Derek begins to realize that the
software system might well have company- wide adaptability. This
does not go unnoticed by his superiors. So, he is offered an
opportunity to introduce the system in other parts of the company.
Now Derek recalls the conversation at the party, and he begins to
wonder if Horace was right after all. He suggests that his previous
employer be contacted and that the more extended use of the
software system be negotiated with the small computer firm. This
move is firmly resisted by his superiors, who insist that the
software system is now the property of the larger firm. Derek balks
at the idea of going ahead without talking with the smaller firm.
If Derek doesn’t want the new job, they reply, someone else can be
invited to do it; in any case, the adaptation will be made.

DISCUSSION QUESTION: What is the ethical
dilemma here? What should Derek do now? Part 3) Suppose Horace
Jones is friends with people who work at the smaller computer firm.
DISCUSSION QUESTION: Should he tell them about
Derek’s use of the software system?