Case Background
Ethical issues are one of the most important topics in a profession such as engineering. As in any field, employees in this field face the task of ensuring the well-being and welfare of society. The contemporary issue addressed in this work is a conflict of interest. It is of particular importance, as the outcomes of the professionals’ activities and the outcomes it can lead to depend on its resolution.
A conflict of interest significantly contributes to the social context, often at the expense of engineering solutions. The analyzed case between JEDEC (Joint Electron Device Engineering Council) and Rambus provides insight into how stakeholders’ actions impact not only the public but also industry standards (Hoke, 2022). So, one of them is the need to follow standards, such as those for microelectronics interoperability. It aims to achieve fair competition among market competitors and suppliers. Moreover, in a social context, this ethical issue is important because it focuses on trust and transparency with both the company’s customers and its employees.
Main Issue and Ethical Rules
In the example provided by JEDEC and Rambus, the basis is the ethical issue of the conflict of interest. During the development of new DRAM technology standards, Rambus failed to disclose its intent. Moreover, it withheld information about four patent applications, thereby creating the ethical problem under discussion (Hoke, 2022). Because nondisclosure was intentional, it directly relates to the analyzed social context. First of all, this has a direct impact on consumers and has led to patent claims and royalty demands.
Section II of the Rules of Practice in the NSPE Code of Ethics talks about conflicts of interest in the engineering field. It emphasizes in 4. a that “engineers shall act for each employer or client as faithful agents or trustees” (“NSPE code of ethics for engineers,” n.d., p. 1). This rule of practice directly applies to the case in question, as it requires engineers and the parties involved in the process to disclose all known or potential conflicts of interest.
Another rule that applies to this case is Section III.5, which states that “engineers shall not be influenced in their professional duties by conflicting interests” (“NSPE code of ethics for engineers,” n.d., p. 2). The issue is that Rambus pursued its own interests while working with JEDEC. This is also facilitated by Section I.5, which states that deceptive acts must be avoided. In the case under study, Rambus’s actions were intentional, which created an ethical problem.
Stakeholders
The main direct stakeholders in the discussed example are JEDEC, Rambus, and consumers. The first two are the most important, as they make the greatest contribution to the ethical issue. Next come the final users, who become recipients of consequences such as price increases or reduced availability of goods. Among indirect stakeholders, investors may suffer losses and serious consequences as a result of Rambus’s unethical actions.
Solutions
To address the ethical problem in this case, it is necessary to revise and create a new code of ethics that focuses not only on employees but also on all parties involved. For this purpose, consulting available sources and regulatory bodies may be valuable to ensure the greatest effectiveness. This process will improve the quality of following the ethical code and transparency in the organization’s activities.
References
Hoke, Tara. (2022). When ethics and conflicts of interest collide. ASCE.
NSPE code of ethics for engineers. (n.d.). NSPE.