...Professionalism Group 3 Final Report EG2401 Engineering Professionalism Group 3 Final Report Contents Abstract I. Introduction/Background II. Method III. Discussion 1. Bribe or Gifts? Ethical or Unethical? 2. Case Studies and the Scenario Case Study # 1 Case Study # 2 Case Study # 3 3. Limitation IV. Conclusion References EG2401 Engineering Professionalism Group 3 Final Report Abstract Gift receiving has long been a problem in evaluating the ethicality of engineers. In this study, we analyse the ethical boundaries of gift receiving. The foreground for this analysis will be based on several factors, including the value of the gifts and the behaviour (or intention) of engineers after receiving the gifts. These criteria will underpin the discussion for the scenario on whether it is ethical for engineers A, B and C to receive gifts from contractors and suppliers, given that they are involved in the bidding process to select the from the same contractors and suppliers. This report will also evaluate various ethical concerns by comparing the scenario against three different case studies, which will act as the three different extents of moral lines that are set in place. These comparisons would be used to derive a conclusion for the scenario, being that it is unethical for the engineers to accept the gifts given to them. I. Introduction/Background “I have often noticed that a bribe has that effect - it changes a relation. The man who offers a bribe gives away a little of his...
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...In this situation where The Mayor is accepting gifts from organizations that have not done business with the City I think accepting gifts do not represent a greater good and unethical for The Mayor. I find these gifts to be a form of bribery from these organizations to secure favors at a later time in the nearby future. By accepting the gifts The Mayor’s integrity is been compromised and I do not think he can make any appropriate decisions associating with these organizations without being subjected and biased. More than likely any decision associating with these organizations, right or wrong, would be in their favor which is unfair to everyone else in the City. If the City were to catch wind of The Mayor accepting gifts then the people would lose faith and trust in The Mayor because the citizens of the City would think that he his only out for himself and his inner circle of new found friends that provide him with gifts. The Mayor’s reputation will surely be hurt and consequently the likelihood of reelection is slim. There is a certain code of conduct that a person in the position he or she is in must follow and accepting gifts should not be part of it. In the situation which a college instructor is pursuing her doctorate in night school and gives her students the same lectures, the same assignments, and the same examinations semester after semester without the slightest effort to improve them. The instructor is benefiting from the time she has from not making any...
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...ethical dilemma of accepting or not a gift from a client from a non-Western culture. The essay describes the selected ethical dilemma, the cultural factors involved, and the first 14 steps that therapist takes to resolve this dilemma, and to arrive to an ethical decision. The 14 steps taken to obtain the ethical decision identify key aspects of this situation, analyzes the benefits and weaknesses of the options that therapist has. These ethical steps are helping the psychologist to identify the best approach for the ethical dilemma. The decision making process described in this paper applies to the patient’s best interest, influencing the client and therapist. Also the paper explains the importance of the ethical decision in professional psychology. Ethical Decision Making Ethical decision making process refers to the ability to take a decision after an evaluation of a complex and ambiguous ethical situation, and to the capacity to implement that ethical decision effectively. The ethical decision in this paper refers to the ethical dilemma of accepting of not the gift from the patient. In this case the client comes from a non-Western culture, so the ethical dilemma involves cultural considerations. The gift giving aspect must take into account the cultural context. The patient is a Navajo Native American male, and he has offered a dream catcher as a gift to his therapist, after ending the psychological treatment. In many non-Western cultures this type of gift represents an expression...
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...parties. The FCPA include the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 which covers to main provisions; The Anti-bribery law and the Accounting Transparency provisions. The FPA law restricts US business representatives from offering or accepting payment whether cash or kind from any foreign official, politician or political party in exchange for favorable business decisions that otherwise would not be made and is considered unethical. The law allows for small payments or gifts, sometimes considered as tips to persuade or encourage faster and better service, however companies are required to keep accurate records of these transactions which are not tax exempt. What kind of Ethical Issue is this? The ethical issue is the potential conflict of interest and perception of bribery that could arise should the gift be accepted by the wife of the Account Executive. In the global business environment incompatible values and cultural beliefs can create conflicts with company policies and laws. This is the ethical dilemma faced by the Account Executive in this situation. While the motive for giving the gift could be tied to the cultural practices of the customer and may very well be a gesture of goodwill and appreciation, it is not guaranteed. Acceptance of the gift is against the company policy. The Account Executive must make the right ethical decision in this situation while not jeopardizing customer trust and future business. Do you agree or disagree with the policy? I agree with...
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...as they occur. In the heat of the moment if I am offended or made uncomfortable, I must analyze the situation first, and act after consideration of the situation and cultures at play as opposed to acting off of impulse. There are also still a few cultural norms that I find genuinely intriguing, and would love to widen the scope of my acceptance to include those as well so that I could behave more normally when cultural conflicts arise. One cultural norm that I find intriguing is reciprocity, and how in come cultures simply giving a gift to someone has strings attached. Reciprocity comes in many forms in North America. There is generalized reciprocity, which is a truly altruistic gift to another person with no expectation of receiving anything in return. There is symmetrical reciprocity which is the exchange of goods with the expected return of a good containing equal or lesser value. There is also negative reciprocity which is the giving of a gift or good with the expectation of something greater in return. It is the practice of negative reciprocity in particular that I find abnormal, as when I am giving someone...
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...Introduction Ethical issues in government contracting range from a wide variety of things, from accepting bribes to collusive bidding. While, there are protocols such as the Procurement Integrity Act and government employees may be aware of the consequences, it is apparent that fraudulent activity in the procurement process is all too common. One of the biggest problems with committing fraudulent acts during the procurement process is that it betrays the trust of taxpayers. There are precautions that can be taken to ensure procurement fraud is seen less and less in the acquisitions process. I. Procurement Integrity Act The Procurement Integrity Act prohibits government employees from disclosing and obtaining contractor bid or proposal information...
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...ETHICS AND COMPLIANCE SCENARIO 3 THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A ‘GIFT’ AND A ‘BRIBE’ Question: (a) Several times a year, office and warehouse personnel are sent “gifts” from vendors. (b) What is the difference between a “gift” and a “bribe”? * * * Answer: (a) The answer to this item is not so ‘clear cut’. While a ‘gift’ may not rise to the level of a kickback, if the ‘gift’ was given with the intent of influencing the Contractor to use the vendor’s services on the federal contract in question - - it would then be illegal. (b) While the words ‘gift’ and ‘bribe’ may seem rather ‘simple’ and obvious to most of us, in business – accepting one or the other (sometimes without even knowing it) - could cost a company millions. The definition of ‘bribe’ and ‘gift’ is as follows: Gift: Something of value given without the expectation of return Bribe: Something of value given with the hope of a future influence or benefit Gifts and bribes can be money or actual items such as tickets to a sporting event, rounds of golf or meals. When a ‘gift’ is given or accepted – regardless of the intention of the gift-giver - it can give the wrong impression and the ‘appearance’ that whatever has transpired is not on the ‘up and up’. In other words, what may have been an innocent gesture – could be interpreted as just the opposite and can blur the lines of integrity, fairness and trust. Depending on whether you do business solely in...
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...The Mayor The Mayor’s type of story has been told again and again; not only in America, but throughout history as well. A person obtains a position of power and then ends up abusing that power to receive more benefits for himself/herself. It is understandable for a politician to network with businesses and other organizations; however, accepting all of these gifts takes it a bit too far. I don’t see how accepting all these lavish gifts are for the greater good. If the Mayor wanted to make accepting these gifts ethical, then he would donate those gifts to charity or at least respectively decline. I believe that Locke wouldn’t have approached the problem the same way I have. From the readings and the lecture, it seems that Locke’s outlook is to believe in the best of people. I believe that Locke would argue that the Mayor is simply trying to network with businesses and organizations to help the town in the future. College Instructor The college instructor is doing something, or better yet, not doing something that most instructors don’t do. Most instructors don’t update their course material. In the high school environment, teachers have no say as to what must be taught. They are given specific items that students must be taught year after year. In college, I would imagine that it is similar. There would be some type of academic board that decides what must be taught in a certain class to meet the requirements for that class. The teacher could make the effort to change some...
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...Mayor The Mayor of a large city was given a free membership in an exclusive golf club by people who have received several city contracts. He also accepted gifts from organizations that have not done business with the City but might in the future. The gifts ranged from $200 tickets to professional sports events to designer watches and jewelry. The Mayor was being ethical to receive these gifts because he was being polite, nonetheless by accepting this gifts the he could get himself in a controversial situation because he doesn’t do business with some of these organizations he is taking those gifts from. Furthermore when he received these gifts from these organizations, they might think that he has no other choice but to make business with them. I believe that Locke would have to address the situation in the same way, by accepting the gifts and acting as a polite person and I believe that he would have had future opportunities to make a relationship with these organizations. Instructor A college instructor is pursuing her doctorate in night school. To gain extra time for her own studies, she gives her students the same lectures, the same assignments, and the same examinations semester after semester without the slightest effort to improve them. The professor decision does not ethically justify her actions because she is giving them the same lecture, the same assignments and the same examinations for her own benefit...
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...Leimary Aranibar Principle of Ethics NR445 Week 3 Assignment: The Mayor of a large city was given a free membership in an exclusive golf club by people who have received several city contracts. He also accepted gifts from organizations that have not done business with the City but might in the future. The gifts ranged from $200 tickets to professional sports events to designer watches and jewelry. The Mayor was acting ethical to receive these gifts because he was being polite, however by accepting this gifts the Mayor could get in a controversial situation because he does not have any relation with organizations. Also when he received these gifts from these organizations, they might misunderstand him and think that he has no other choice but to make business with them. I believe that Locke would have to address the situation in the same way, by accepting the gifts and acting as a polite person and also think that he would have future opportunities to make a relationship with these organizations. A college instructor is pursuing her doctorate in night school. To gain extra time for her own studies, she gives her students the same lectures, the same assignments, and the same examinations semester after semester without the slightest effort to improve them. The professor is acting unethical in this situation because she is giving them the same lecture, the same assignments and same examination for her own benefit and not for her students. She is acting selfish...
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...Nina what could happen if his boss found out about the clock. He should explain the ethics policy set in place at his job and that he could lose his job if word got back of them accepting the clock. Finally he should explain to her that he is looking out for the company’s reputation as well and wants to behave in an ethical manner. Stressing the fact that “ethical buyers do not accept outside gifts or favors that violate their firm’s ethics policy”( Handfield, Giunipero, Monczka, & Patterson, 2011). Another approach would be to direct her to the standard guidelines in the code of ethics developed by the Institute of Supply Management (ISM). 2.) What does the Institute of Supply Management (ISM) code of ethics say about accepting supplier favors and gifts? The ISM code of ethics strictly frowns upon accepting gifts or favors from potential suppliers. “People engaged in purchasing should not accept from any supplier or prospective supplier any money, gift, or favor that might influence, or be suspected of influencing, their buying decisions” (Handfield, Giunipero, Monczka, & Patterson, 2011).Any gifts received should be returned immediately and as discreetly as possible to avoid embarrassment on the supplier’s part. If embarrassment does occur a buyer should still not feel obligated to accept the gift or favor because of its effect on the suppler. 3.) Why do you think the supplier sent the clock to Bryan’s home and addressed to his wife? It seems that the supplier was trying...
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...what could happen if his boss found out about the clock. He should explain the ethics policy set in place at his job and that he could lose his job if word got back of them accepting the clock. Finally he should explain to her that he is looking out for the company’s reputation as well and wants to behave in an ethical manner. Stressing the fact that “ethical buyers do not accept outside gifts or favors that violate their firm’s ethics policy”( Handfield, Giunipero, Monczka, & Patterson, 2011). Another approach would be to direct her to the standard guidelines in the code of ethics developed by the Institute of Supply Management (ISM). 2.) What does the Institute of Supply Management (ISM) code of ethics say about accepting supplier favors and gifts? The ISM code of ethics strictly frowns upon accepting gifts or favors from potential suppliers. “People engaged in purchasing should not accept from any supplier or prospective supplier any money, gift, or favor that might influence, or be suspected of influencing, their buying decisions” (Handfield, Giunipero, Monczka, & Patterson, 2011).Any gifts received should be returned immediately and as discreetly as possible to avoid embarrassment on the supplier’s part. If embarrassment does occur a buyer should still not feel obligated to accept the gift or favor because of its effect on the suppler. 3.) Why do you think the supplier sent the clock to Bryan’s home and addressed to his wife? It seems that the supplier was...
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...continue to read this essay you will find out information on a person I know that has come face to face with an ethical dilemma as a certified nurse's aide. An ethical dilemma according to www.wikipedia.org, “is a complex situation that often involves an apparent mental conflict between moral imperatives, in which to obey one would result in transgressing another.” People often come across ethical dilemmas in an attempt to refute an ethical system or moral code. What happened to my friend at the nursing home, was that it was around the Christmas holidays and one of the residents family members wanted to give my best friend who was one of the CNAs that took care of their loved one, at the nursing home extra money and gift cards for taking care of their loved one. My best friend knew that it was against policy and procedure...
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...It is understandable why some police departments prohibit police officers from accepting gratuities. Two opposing arguments for accepting gratuities are the slippery slope argument which notes that taking gratuities leads to more serious deviance. The unjust enrichment argument notes that the only honest compensation for police is their paycheck. The text relays that a gift given connects the giver and receiver in a bond of reciprocity similar to a friendship. The issue arises when one of the parties has an impure intent. The giver could be handing out gratuities because she wants more of a police presence to ward off would be thieves. Some police officers are experts on how to siphon free items from merchants. Some officers are given free...
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...TIPS TO PEOPLE DO BUSINESS IN THE UK 1. Exchanging business cards: • Timing: In the U.K, business cards are usually given at the end of a meeting or event. It is polite to offer your own business card in return as opposed to simply accepting the offered card. It is also acceptable to exchange business cards at the beginning of a meeting, although it is better practice to exchange cards when you have built up a rapport with the person involved. • Expected Information: They should contain your name and position title, contact number, email address and website address. If possible, your business name, logo and services or products also should be listed. it is common practice to have a double-sided card in the U.K. with the business details on the front and the personal contact details on the back 2. Shaking hands Shaking hands is a common form of greeting • A handshake is standard for business occasions and when visiting a home. • Women do not always shake hands. • In business, a light handshake is standard. • When visiting a home, a handshake is proper; however, a handshake is not always correct at social occasions. Observe what others do. • In the UK it is usually a single right hand that does the shaking. Very few people shake with their left hand and it is deemed rude to offer your hand without taking your glove off first. 3. Bowing 4. Kissing 5. Being formal...
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