Ethical Problem-Solving Techniques.

1. ENGINEERING ETHICS
Asst. Prof. Air Cdre. Illyas Mehmood (Rtd.)
Ethical Problem-Solving Techniques

2. QUESTION # 1
Briefly narrate the summary of this case study.
Lester Matz, the partner of Matz, Childs and Associate Firm was running a good
company. Yet, they were not getting any public-works contract. As he knew that he had
to give the bribery to get any contract. So he decided to give the bribery and kickbacks for
getting the contracts. He gave funds for the campaign of country executive to get close to
Mr. Agnew. Furthermore, he started to give the fund continuously. Consequently, he got a
contract. He gave 5% of kickback to Mr. Agnew. The money arrangement between Mr.
Agnew and Matz continued when Agnew was elected governor of Maryland and at that
time, Matz got more or less all the public-work contract.
ANSWER
:

3. Mr. Agnew elected for vice president of U.S. in 1972 and this agreement
remain the same. Yet, in 1973, George Beale, the former attorney of U.S.
gave writ about investigation of all engineers of architects and consulting
firms of Baltimore, Maryland. Which led to investigate the Matz firm as
well. They tried to clear their records by several methods, yet, they found
guilty after the investigation. Mr. Vice President got fined of $10,000 and
honored the plea agreement whereby Agnew received no jail term, but
only three years of unsupervised probation. Although, Matz, Childs and
Associates were not prosecuted as they cooperate for investigation.

4. QUESTION # 2
Briefly narrate the ethical issues in the case study.
Ethical issues related to this case study is mentioned below:
• Corrupt Government
• Bribery and Kickbacks from Matz
• Receiving of bribery and kikcbacks of Mr. Agnew
• Un-equity in Judiciary
ANSWER:

5. QUESTION # 3
Does the fact that paying government officials for receiving
contracts (seemed to be a common-place business practice in
Maryland at that time) make this practice ethically acceptable?
Never ever. This practice should not acceptable at any
situation.
ANSWER:

6. QUESTION # 4
What should an engineer do in the face of competition
from others who are willing to resort to bribery?
He has to try to expel all of them who are giving bribery.
Moreover, he should not accept the system and fight to correct
it.
ANSWER:

7. QUESTION # 5(a)
Briefly describe what is a competitive bidding process?
Competitive bidding is a proposal by any company, who’s
seeking for services, getting projects or bid for business
with another company. It is commonly used to get a
service with best talented team at cheapest rate.
ANSWER
:

8. QUESTION # 5(b)
What issues does this case raise regarding competitive bidding for
engineering services?
Because they did not bid for any contract, people started to
give bribery for contracts and stop to improve their skills.
As they know that they will get the contract with contacts
and bribery.
ANSWER
:

9. QUESTION # 5(c)
Would competitive bidding for the engineering contracts in Baltimore County
have solved this problem?
Yes. If the bidding was in common practice. Then
everyone tries to improve their skills and because firm was
choose by bidding. Which gave excellent bid, they
compete the others and get the contract.
ANSWER
:

10. QUESTION # 6
What is the ethical status of a ‘campaign contribution’
given to a politician to secure future business?
It is bribery and bribery is not acceptable in any situation.
ANSWER:

11. QUESTION # 7
a. Is this a case relates to bribe?
Answer:
Yes, Matz gave bribery in term of funds of campaign contribution.
b. Is it the same as a kickback?
Answer:
Yes, yet they have a little difference.
·Bribery is something offered or given to someone in a position of trust in order to
induce him or her to act dishonestly. Yet,
Kickback is something offering back to the contractor from contract benefits.

12. Conditions:
1.Matz give fund to Agnew for courting. It is bribery.
2.He got contract for the consequence of funding.
3.Matz give 5% to Agnew due to getting that contract. it is direct kickback.
4.Consequently, Matz got further contract and
5.After 5 to 6 years government gave all Public works contracts to Matz.
6.Matz had not to give bribery and kickbacks.
7. Agnew Rejected Bribery.
QUESTION # 7(c)
Please use a line drawing problem solving technique to answer
this question
ANSWER
:
NP PP
1
2
3
4,
6
P
Likely
Solution
7

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