Subject : Professional Ethics

Assessment: Case Study & Report

Report:

July 2015

Objectives;
Identify essential concepts in Professional Ethics for Engineers
Application of Professional Ethics theories in a practical organizational environment
Critically analyse theoretical
retical knowledge with the use of a given Case study effectively
.
Skills Required;
Theoretical
Analytical
Formal Reporting
Assignment:
Read the provided Case study and understand the situation of the given person and the organisation.
Apply your
our knowledge on Professional E
Ethics and identify the relevant
elevant Ethical Concepts & Issues.
Issues
Answer the questions in a detailed Report.
Length : Report 3000 words
Marks :

30%

Report Details:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Provide a brief insight

ght to the Case Study
Study.
Identify the given scenario/person/
scenario/person/organisation in terms of theories of Professional Ethics.
Specify relevant Ethical Concepts and Issues applicable.
Critically Evaluate the scenario and provide the possible outcomes.
Determine the best solution or the best suggestion according to your own finding.

However other requirements such as the cover page, executive summary, referencing (Harvard
Referencing), conclusion etc given under the University regulations must be followed.
Dr. Thesara Jayawardane

Professional Ethics - Department of Management of Technology

Page 1

Case Study A
NetCom is the watchdog for the communications industry. The role of NetCom is encapsulated in its
principal duty which is:
to further the interests of citizens in relation to communications matters; and to further the
interests of consumers in relevant markets, where appropriate by promoting competition
NetCom has an advisory board whose role is to inform and advise them about any issues they feel are
relevant to its effective operation.
These issues can be very diverse; the board give NetCom any information that they feel NetCom is
missing, and they advise NetCom of anywhere in their operation that they feel NetCom may be going
wrong.
The board is not paid for the work it does but members are required to attend one meeting every
eighteen months. The board are free to set the agenda for these meetings so that they can discuss the
issues that they feel are important.
There are thirteen members of the board comprising of engineers, technologists and economists from
across the communications industry, mainly from the private sector.
In order to fulfill their duty of furthering the interests of citizens NetCom often employ outside
consultants to investigate and research different aspects of technology and policy. For example, new
technologies need to be tested for whether they can deliver the promises the manufacturer makes and
whether there are spectrum use issues surrounding it.
With respect to policy issues, consultancies are often drafted in to help auction parts of the radio
spectrum; producing information packs for potential bidders and designing appropriate software to
ensure the auction runs smoothly. NetCom spends Rs 5-10 million on consultancy work per year, with
the average tender being worth around Rs 250,000.
Many of the people on the advisory board work for companies who could be considered for consultancy
work. They are members of the board precisely because they are experts in their field and therefore the
kind of people best placed to advise NetCom.
Questions
I.

What is meant by objectivity and integrity? Come up with three suggested definitions for each
of these terms.

II.

Why might objectivity and integrity be an issue for NetCom and members of the advisory board
in this situation?

III.

What should NetCom do about this situation? Is the best thing to do to dissolve the advisory
board?

IV.

NetCom is a public body supported by government funding. Does this make a difference to the
kind of behaviour that is expected of them? Why?

V.

What are similar instances that could trigger ethical issues in a situation like this?

Dr. Thesara Jayawardane

Professional Ethics - Department of Management of Technology

Page 2