NPTEL Online Certification Courses
Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur
Course Name: Ethics in Engineering Practice
Assignment - Week 2 Solution
TYPE OF QUESTION: MCQ/MSQ
Number of questions: 10 Total marks: 10 X 1 = 10
_____________________________________________________________________________
QUESTION 1:
Mr Sangeet Sarkar who was working on a project aimed at designing cars for his client Zenco
Suzuki Ltd had designed the unique design for a car which had many advantages in comparison
to the existing models in the market. Its unique selling proposition was its design which made it
stand out, making it spacious from inside yet compact from outside, attractive as well as fuel-
efficient because of the new technology used. Mr Sangeet Sarkar, being the head engineer had all
the rights to use the design for his personal use as the design belonged to him, not the client. Do
you agree?
a) Yes, I agree as the design belonged to Mr Sarkar only
b) Yes, I agree as the design belonged to both Mr Sarkar and Zenco
c) No, I don’t agree as the design belonged to Zenco only
d) None of the above
Correct Answer: c
No, I don’t agree as the design belonged to Zenco only
Reason: Designs, notes or anything that a enginner works on as an employee or as a part
of project on behalf of his/ her organization on any role are an Employer’s property which
is Zenco here, hence, Mr. Sarkar cannot use them personally.
______________________________________________________________________________
QUESTION 2:
Sanchari Banerjee, Senior project manager while collaborating for a project with Zoom
Constructions Ltd. on behalf of Zen Constructions and Mergers Ltd. was strictly asked to legally
sign an agreement that restricted her from sharing project design with anyone. The agreement
which she signed is technically referred to as:
a) No-sharing agreement
NPTEL Online Certification Courses
Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur
b) Non-disclosure agreement
c) NS Clause
d) NC Clause
Correct Answer: b
Non-disclosure agreement
Reason: See Slide 8. Non-discloure is a form of agreement that restricts employees from
sharing confidential information (like project design here) with others. Thought what must
be kept confidential is purely decided by the employer.
______________________________________________________________________________
QUESTION 3:
Rajesh Saxena, Head of Border road organization was entrusted with the responsibility of
selecting the best bid for a project for the construction of roads in the southern part of Leh and
Ladakh. As a matter of fact, his son’s company, Axis constructions has also submitted a bid in
which he also owns an interest though indirectly. This amounts to a case of________________.
a) Conflict of profit
b) Conflict of interest
c) Conflict of multiplicity
d) Conflict of choice
Correct Answer: b
Conflict of interest
Reason: Seel Slide 9. It is indeed a situation of conflict of interest as his son’s company
Axis has also submitted the bid for the project and he is the one who will be selecting the
best bid. This is a situation where “when an interest, if pursued, could keep a professional
away from meeting one of his obligations”.
______________________________________________________________________________
QUESTION 4:
Ajay Pandit, Senior manager at Sigma International was very courageous when it came to
bringing it to the notice of Government that the products being marketed by Sigma International
were actually not good for the health of the public in general. The product Nutria-bar being sold
NPTEL Online Certification Courses
Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur
actually had ingredients which could lead to diabetes, and the company was aware of the same.
This is an example of _____________.
a) Whistle blowing
b) Whistling
c) Blowing the horns
d) None of the above
Correct Answer: a
Whistle blowing
Reason: See Slide 15. Whistle-blowing occurs when an employee informs the public or
higher management of unethical or illegal behavior being conducted by an employer or
supervisor.
___________________________________________________________________________
QUESTION 5:
State whether the following is True or False.
The clause of confidentiality only applies to engineering profession.
a) True
b) False
Correct Answer: b
False
Reason: It applies to other professions as well. Like Doctors also cannot disclose the
confidential details of their patients to others.
______________________________________________________________________________
QUESTION 6:
Identify the context from the words or phrases or short sentences given below:
Substantial amount of money, aim of winning an advantage, offered beyond a stated business
contract, advantage is illegal or otherwise unethical.
NPTEL Online Certification Courses
Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur
a) Illegal gift
b) Gratuity
c) Bribe
d) None of the above
Correct Answer: c
Bribe
Reason: See slide 37. The phrases mentioned above capture the essence of Bribe.
______________________________________________________________________________
QUESTION 7:
Quid pro-quo is a form of __________________.
a) Depreciation
b) Duty of an engineer
c) Project costing
d) None of the above
Correct Answer: d
None of the above
Reason: It is a form of sexual harassment at work place, which is not given as an option,
hence answer is None of the above. Refer Slide 53.
______________________________________________________________________________
QUESTION 8:
At the entry of office of Oriental insurance Ltd., there was a huge signboard which indicated
“one’s sex, 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
NPTEL Online Certification Courses
Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur
Right to Equal Opportunity at work
Reason: See Slide 55. Right to Equal Opportunity: Nondiscrimination implies that one’s
sex, race, skin color, age, or political or religious outlook should not at all affect how they
are perceived at work. Human rights to fair and decent treatment at the workplace and in
job training are important.
______________________________________________________________________________
QUESTION 9:
State whether the following is True or False.
When clients go to attorneys or tax accountants or even doctors, they expect them to maintain
confidentiality, and only personal ethics indicate that confidentiality shall be maintained.
a) True
b) False
Correct Answer: b
False
Reason: In the second line, we have used the term only personal ethics indicate that
confidentiality shall be maintained. It is not correct. It should be professional ethics
primarily.
___________________________________________________________________________
QUESTION 10:
As per Martin and Schinzinger (2000), the most fundamental right of an engineer is the Right of
________________. The right to apply own professional judgment while discharging duties.
a) Safety
b) Professional conscience
c) Professionalism
d) None of the above
Correct Answer: b
Professional conscience
NPTEL Online Certification Courses
Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur
Reason: See Slide 14. As per Martin and Schinzinger, 2000, the most fundamental right of
an engineer is the right of professional conscience. The right to apply own professional
judgment while discharging duties.
______________________________________________________________________________
************END***********
