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Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur

Course Name: Ethics in Engineering Practice

Assignment - Week 2
TYPE OF QUESTION: MCQ/MSQ

Number of questions: 10 Total marks: 10 X 1 = 10

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QUESTION 1:

Rishav is a software engineer employed by a company that develops software for government
entities. Over the past year, Rishav's team has been engaged in a project for a government
agency, focused on creating software designed to monitor internet activity and detect potential
security threats. This software can track and record all internet activities, including emails, chats,
and browsing history.
Recently, Rishav’s manager directed him to add a feature to the software that would enable the
agency to access the personal emails and chats of individuals suspected of being security threats,
without needing a warrant or court order. Rishav is uneasy about this request, as he feels it
infringes on individuals' privacy and might be illegal. Despite his concerns, he fears that refusing
to follow his manager's instructions could result in losing his job.

What is the ethical dilemma Rishav is facing in this situation?

a) Whether to follow his manager's instructions or not

b) Whether to prioritize his personal beliefs or his job security
c) Whether to report his manager's request to higher authorities or not
d) Whether to prioritize the privacy of individuals or the security of the country

Correct Answer : d

Detailed Answer: The ethical dilemma Rishav is facing involves a conflict between two
important ethical principles: the privacy of individuals and the security of the country. On one
hand, Rishav is concerned that including the requested feature in the software would violate
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individuals' privacy and could be illegal. On the other hand, the feature is intended to help the
government identify and address security threats, which could enhance national security.
Here’s a detailed justification:
 Privacy of Individuals: Rishav believes that the requested feature infringes on personal
privacy, as it allows access to private communications without a warrant or court order.
This concern is rooted in the ethical principle of respecting individuals' rights to privacy
and the legal standards that protect it.
 Security of the Country: The manager's request is driven by the goal of improving
national security by monitoring potential security threats more effectively. This reflects
the ethical principle of protecting the greater good and ensuring public safety.
Rishav is torn between these two conflicting priorities. Following his manager’s instructions
could potentially aid in preventing security threats but would compromise individuals' privacy
and might violate legal and ethical standards. On the other hand, refusing to comply respects
privacy but might be seen as neglecting the security needs of the country. This complex situation
embodies the ethical dilemma of choosing between prioritizing the privacy of individuals and the
security of the country.
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QUESTION 2:

Consider the following statements and identify the statement that is False regarding competitive
bidding?

a) It is a process by which a contracting firm selects from amongst the competing vendors
b) Price is amongst the important determining factor
c) The bid evaluation process typically disregards the technical capabilities of the vendors.
d) The professional engineers should adhere to competitive bidding.

Correct Answer: c
Detailed Answer: In competitive bidding, the evaluation process does not disregard the
technical capabilities of the vendors. In fact, while price is a crucial factor, the technical
capabilities, experience, and qualifications of the vendors are also critically assessed. This
ensures that the selected vendor is not only cost-effective but also capable of delivering the
required quality and performance. Therefore, statement c) is incorrect as it misrepresents the
comprehensive nature of the bid evaluation process.
QUESTION 3:
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Whistleblowing can be mitigated by management through the implementation of specific

policies. Which of the following statements is true in this context?
a) Assigning gatekeepers in communication channels prevents whistleblowing.
b) Management's refusal to acknowledge mistakes internally contributes to whistleblowing.
c) Increasing access for in-group members while restricting out-group members within the
same organization prevents whistleblowing.
d) Establishing a robust corporate ethical culture helps prevent whistleblowing.

Correct Answer: d
Detailed Answer:
A strong corporate ethical culture creates an environment where ethical behavior is promoted,
and issues are addressed transparently and constructively. When employees feel that their
concerns can be raised and resolved internally, and that the organization is committed to ethical
practices, the likelihood of whistleblowing decreases. This is because employees trust that the
organization will handle issues appropriately without the need for external intervention.
Conversely, the other statements do not accurately address how to prevent whistleblowing:
 a) Assigning gatekeepers in communication channels does not prevent whistleblowing; it
might instead create barriers to reporting issues internally.
 b) Management's refusal to acknowledge mistakes can actually increase the likelihood of
whistleblowing, as employees might feel that their only recourse is to report issues
externally.
 c) Increasing access for in-group members while restricting out-group members can
create divisions and feelings of unfairness, which may lead to whistleblowing if
employees believe issues are being ignored or mishandled.

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QUESTION 4:
The automobile company Faserati recently terminated an employee, Jim Bernard, for sharing a
tech review of its newly released electric vehicle on social media. In his posts, Jim detailed the
car's performance under various road conditions in the Bay Area, San Francisco. He included
footage of near-miss incidents and accidents. While the management is somewhat tolerant of
internal criticism, they perceive public criticism as a sign of disloyalty.

This is a case of

a) Class action
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b) Dispositional privacy
c) Conflict of interest
d) Electronic frontier

Correct Answer: c
Conflict of interest

Detailed Answer: In the scenario provided, Jim Bernard, an employee of Faserati, shared a
detailed tech review of the company's newly released electric vehicle on social media. This
action brings forth a conflict of interest between Jim's personal freedom to express his opinions
and the company's interests in controlling its public image and protecting proprietary
information.
Jim's sharing of the tech review on social media potentially compromises the company's
competitive advantage by revealing information about the vehicle's performance, including near-
miss incidents and accidents. From the company's perspective, this could harm its reputation and
potentially affect sales.
Furthermore, while the management might be somewhat tolerant of internal criticism, the public
nature of Jim's criticism is perceived as disloyalty. This highlights the tension between an
employee's right to express opinions publicly and the company's need to maintain control over its
public image and protect its interests.
Thus, the situation represents a conflict of interest between Jim's personal expression and the
company's interests in maintaining its reputation and protecting proprietary information.

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QUESTION 5:

Why is trustworthiness a justification for maintaining confidentiality?

a) It promotes public awareness about sensitive information

b) It ensures that employees do not breach their contracts
c) It is an expectation of clients when seeking professional services
d) It increases competition among professionals
Correct Answer: c

Detailed Answer: Trustworthiness is also one of the justifications for maintaining

confidentiality. When clients go to attorneys or tax accountants or even doctors they expect
them to maintain confidentiality, and the professional ethics indicate that confidentiality will
be maintained. Similarly, employees often make promises (in the form of signing contracts)
not to divulge certain information considered sensitive by the employer. Revealing the relevant
information would surely account for the breach of trust.
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QUESTION 6:
What is an example of moonlighting?
a) Working extra hours on a project for your current employer.
b) Taking a part-time job at a different company while still employed full-time.
c) Attending professional development workshops organized by your employer.
d) Starting a side business that is unrelated to your current job.

Correct Answer: b
Detailed Answer:
Moonlighting refers to the practice of holding a second job in addition to one's primary
employment. Option b) aligns with this definition as it describes someone who is employed full-
time but also works part-time at another company. Moonlighting can raise concerns about
conflicts of interest, decreased productivity, and divided loyalty between employers, making it
important for employees to consider their contractual obligations and employer policies
regarding secondary employment.
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QUESTION 7:

The Oceanic Transport Company recently faced intense scrutiny when one of its Production
managers, Ms. Maya, reached out to the head of Eco-Watch, an environmental advocacy
organization. She provided a signed document detailing the problem, expressing concern that the
company was releasing untreated sewage into the river, which local villages rely on for their
water supply. This scenario exemplifies:

a) Confidential whistleblowing
b) Favoritism
c) Public whistleblowing
d) Neither of the above

Correct Answer: c

Detailed Answer: In this scenario, Ms. Maya, a Production manager, openly provided a signed
document detailing the problem to the head of an environmental advocacy organization. This act
of whistleblowing is public because Ms. Maya's identity is known, and she informed an external
organization about the issue. It contrasts with confidential whistleblowing, where the information
is disclosed internally within the organization, and it's not favoritism since Ms. Maya is acting in
the public interest by reporting an environmental concern. Therefore, option c) is the most
appropriate.
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QUESTION 8:
What is the significance of the clause of confidentiality in the engineering codes of ethics?

a) It is a new principle introduced in the engineering profession

b) It applies only to a few engineering professions.

c) It is a well-established principle in other professions such as medicine and law as well.

d) It applies only to the clients who are individuals, not companies.
Correct Answer: c

Detailed Answer: Confidentiality is a fundamental principle in engineering ethics, similar to its

importance in other professions such as medicine and law. Engineers often deal with sensitive
information related to projects, clients, and proprietary technology. Upholding confidentiality
ensures that this information is protected from unauthorized access or disclosure, maintaining
trust with clients and stakeholders. Additionally, it demonstrates professionalism and integrity in
handling privileged information. Therefore, recognizing the established significance of
confidentiality across various professions underscores its importance in engineering ethics.

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QUESTION 9:

Which of the following best defines "insider information"?

a) Information known only to employees within a company.

b) Knowledge that is widely available to the public.
c) Data obtained through market research conducted by competitors.
d) Confidential information shared between different companies.

Correct Answer: a

Detailed Answer: Insider information refers to confidential or non-public information about a

company that could have a significant impact on its stock price or other aspects of its business
operations. This information is typically known only to employees, executives, or individuals
closely associated with the company. It is not widely available to the public and can include
details about financial performance, upcoming product launches, mergers and acquisitions, or
other sensitive matters. Using insider information for personal gain in trading stocks or securities
is illegal and constitutes insider trading. Therefore, option a) best defines insider information.
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QUESTION 10:

At the entry of office of Oriental insurance Ltd., there was a huge signboard which indicated “An
individual’s gender, race, skin colour, age, or political or religious outlook should not at all affect
how they are perceived at work”, this captures the essence of:

a) Right to Equal Opportunity at work

b) Right to Free work
c) Rights ethics
d) None of the above

Correct Answer: a

Detailed Answer: The signboard at the entrance of the Oriental Insurance Ltd. office reflects the
principle of equal opportunity at work. This principle emphasizes that an individual's gender, race, skin
color, age, or political or religious outlook should not influence how they are perceived or treated in the
workplace. It ensures that all employees have fair and equal access to employment opportunities,
promotions, training, and other benefits based on their qualifications and merit, rather than on irrelevant
personal characteristics. Therefore, option a) accurately captures the essence of the message displayed on
the signboard.

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