Conflict of Interest-role of Public Utility Board - Essay Example

In Case No. 76-6 involving the practice of giving gifts to foreign officials, the NSPE Board of Ethical Review stated in part, “Even though the practice may be legal and accepted in the foreign country, and even though some might argue on pragmatic grounds the United States commercial companies should ‘go along’ to protect the jobs of employees in this country, we cannot accept it for professional services. No amount of rationalization or explanation will change the public reaction that the profession’s claim of placing service before profit has been compromised by a practice which is repugnant to the basic principles of ethical behavior under the laws and customs of this country….

we believe that the codes must be read on this most basic point of honor and integrity not only literally, but in the spirit of its purpose –to uphold the highest standards of the professional. Anything less is rationalization which cannot stand the test of placing the public ahead of all other considerations”Engineers who do think it is acceptable to use an agent abroad to “do the dirty work” thus acting like Pontius Pilate and “washing one’s hands” of the problem, also need to realize that they are committing a felony under the U.S. law and are subject to prosecutionSo long as they are U.S. citizens, the Federal Corrupt Practice Act applies to them.

His comment also applies to corporations. A U.S. corporation is a citizen in the eyes of the law. Those companies engaging in bribery can avoid the law only by giving up theirQ.2. The statement “Take off your engineering hat and put on your management hat.” implies that engineer shifts from their professionalism and assume another management task. This is vital especially when the management has loopholes that need to be addressed. Engineer B is employed in the engineering firm and is a member of BOD in a local public utility.

As a member of the board, the utility uses 3 years to do a research on a new power generation plant.