Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
7
Final Remarks on Ethical Issues in a WPR System
The WPR system is independent of any particular political and economic system
and is unfortunately widespread. It is found wherever there are ruthless and arbi-
trary power systems, for instance in some multinational corporations, including in
countries with a façade of democracy. The case studies in this chapter have focused
on leading designers. However, other ICT and automation personnel, particularly
highly qualified ones, had similar negative experiences.
7.1
Survival and Ethical Behaviour in a WPR System
The following suggestions for survival and ethical behaviour are relevant to highly
qualified personnel in particular, but also other workers in highly technical areas.
They include the following:
1. Recognition that useful work in the area of one's specialisation and which ben-
efits society is of much greater value than any personal benefits. This requires an
understanding of one's own values and the ability to resist temptation and pres-
sure. This may also require designers and other professionals to resign from
projects if they have successors able to continue the work and they can obtain
other work in order to avoid battles over benefits.
2. An integrated approach with hardware and software under the control of one
designer. This will avoid the adverse consequences of allowing managers who
may have little technical knowledge to coordinate projects.
3. Good technical documentation, particularly for large-scale projects involving
new technologies. In particular, software flowcharts are vital for successfully
debugging and modifying software, especially when there is a considerable time
gap between writing the original programs and subsequent debugging and
modification.
4. Educating the younger generation and ensuring that competent successors have
been trained. This is both of value in itself and essential in systems where per-
sonnel may be replaced during the course of a project. This requires responsibil-
ity to colleagues and the project.
5. If possible, securing financial independence through work in another reasonably
paid area outside the remit of the authorities having control over the main area of
work. One option is freelance translation, which may have the further benefits of
improving general education and communication skills.
6. Resisting the temptations for both undeserved benefits and benefits at the expense
of others with regard to money, power and recognition and acknowledging that
only earned benefits bring true satisfaction.
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