Product Liability

Authors: Boisjoly, Roger M.
Publication Type: Journal Article
Secondary Title: Science and Engineering Ethics
Abstract: The purpose of the commentary is to expose the serious differences between actions by engineers desired in theory by nonengineers versus what is actually required by practicing engineers in promoting the design of safe products. All...
Year: 1995
DOI: 10.1007/BF02584073

Authors: Pritchard, Michael S.
Publication Type: Case Study
Abstract: Chief engineer of Axtell's Installation Division, Howard Hanson implements a new policy which may be necessary. A situation arises for two engineers which makes them question how necessary the policy is....
Year: 1992
URL: http://www.onlineethics.org/cms/12512.aspx

Authors: Roth, Wally
Publication Type: Case Study
Abstract: You find that a new hand-held computer you have just bought has a software problem that potentially would only affect a small number of users (including yourself). In experimenting with a popular spreadsheet program, you find that ...
Year: 1995
URL: http://ethics.tamu.edu/Nsfcases/elen/04/ee04.htm

Authors: Hamid, Michael ; Rodriguez, Jose J ; Trahan, Nicole
Publication Type: Case Study
Abstract: This series of case studies looks at the radiation emitted by the antenna in cellular phones and asks students to calculate the range of the electromagnetic fields radiated by these antenna, and how they would handle this discovery ...
Year: 1995
URL: http://ethics.tamu.edu/Nsfcases/elen/07/ee07.htm

Authors: Akujuobi, Cajetan M.
Publication Type: Case Study
Abstract: Engineer Doe has decided to own and operate a small TV station. He has the option of buying used or new subsystems to put the station together, and must decide what configuration will meet the required system reliability specificati...
Year: 1995
URL: http://ethics.tamu.edu/Nsfcases/elen/11/ee11.htm

Authors: Miller, Keith
Publication Type: Journal Article
Secondary Title: Science and Engineering Ethics
Abstract: Should software be sold "as is", totally guaranteed, or something else? This paper suggests that "informed consent", used extensively in medical ethics, is an appropriate way to envision, the buyer/developer relationship when softwa...
Year: 1998
DOI: 0.1007/s11948-998-0028-8

Authors: Brannigan, V. M.
Publication Type: Journal Article
Secondary Title: Antennas and Propagation Magazine, IEEE
Abstract: The author discusses the critical role engineers play in protecting public health in the design process. Though regulation and liability puts constraints on the design process, the engineer is given the professional autonomy throug...
Year: 2005
DOI: 10.1109/FIE.2003.1265936

Authors: National Academy of Engineering, Online Ethics Center ; National Academy of Engineering, Online Ethics Center
Publication Type: Case Study
Abstract: While experimenting with a new hand-held computer, a college engineering student discovers an error in a simple computing function. This case study concerns both nature of the error and its ethical implications...
Year: 2006
URL: http://www.onlineethics.org/CMS/profpractice/ppcases/numericalprob/pda.aspx

Authors: Doorn, Neelke
Publication Type: Journal Article
Secondary Title: Science and Engineering Ethics
Abstract: In the last decades increasing attention is paid to the topic of responsibility in technology development and engineering. The discussion of this topic is often guided by questions related to liability and blameworthiness. Recent di...
Year: 2010
DOI: 10.1007/s11948-009-9189-3

Authors: Bakker II, Willem ; Loui, Michael
Publication Type: Journal Article
Secondary Title: Science and Engineering Ethics
Abstract: The paper examines the ethics of designing and selling safe, low-quality products. The author uses the Consumer-Oriented Process principle: "to place an increase in the consumer's quality of life as the primary goal for producing p...
Year: 1997
DOI: 10.1007/s11948-997-0007-5

Authors: Pritchard, Michael S.
Publication Type: Case Study
Abstract: Dan Dorset had been looking forward to this trip for weeks. Once he was assigned to help Rancott install its equipment for Boulding, Inc., he arranged his vacation at a nearby ski resort. The installation would be completed on the 1...
Year: 1992
URL: http://www.onlineethics.org/cms/12536.aspx

Authors: Green, Ronald M.
Publication Type: Journal Article
Secondary Title: Business Ethics Quarterly
Abstract: This discussion develops six of the most important guiding principles of classical Jewish business ethics and illustrates their application to a complex recent case of product liability. These principles are: 1) the legitimacy of bu...
Year: 1997

Biblio - KBL781 - 2010-07-14 13:40

Authors: Danley, John R.
Publication Type: Journal Article
Secondary Title: Business Ethics Quarterly
Abstract: Revisiting the Ford Pinto case, the author uses this incident to explore broader issues of the logic of blame, the ascription of legal and moral responsibility, and product liability....
Year: 2005

Biblio - KBL781 - 2010-07-14 13:37

Authors: Noggle, Robert ; Palmer, Daniel E.
Publication Type: Journal Article
Secondary Title: Journal of Business Ethics
Abstract: In 2000, Firestone initiated one of the largest tire recalls in U.S. history, and many of these tires had been installed as original factory equipment of Ford Explorers. While Firestone’s role in the case has been widely acknowledg...
Year: 2005
DOI: 10.1007/s10551-004-1757-5

Authors: Garrett, Michael
Publication Type: Journal Article
Secondary Title: Leadership & Management in Engineering
Abstract: The article presents a situation wherein a small structural engineering firm's work is discovered to be safe but flawed. The author discusses the importance of abiding with the guidelines of the Code of Ethics, as presented by the A...
Year: 2008
DOI: 10.1061/(asce)1532-6748(2008)8:3(167)

Authors: Bignell, Victor
Publication Type: Journal Article
Secondary Title: European Journal of Engineering Education
Abstract: The uses of case studies of failures of technological systems are discussed, and methods for analysis are described. Starting from the simple examination of broken components in engineering, the article goes on to trace the develop...
Year: 1999

Biblio - KBL781 - 2010-08-04 14:36

Publication Type: Case Study
Abstract: This case addresses issues of theoretical papers being presented at technical conferences that are attended by salespersons and the conflicts that arise. Commentaries Included Online...
Year: 1998
URL: http://www.onlineethics.org/Resources/Cases/incomplete.aspx

Authors: Fielder, John H.
Publication Type: Journal Article
Secondary Title: Hastings Center Report
Abstract: Cites a study by Dutch researchers that showed a significantly higher strut fracture rate than expected in some Bjork-Shiley valve implants. Details of the study; Report in `Lancet 343,' (1 Jan. 1994); Recommendation by Dr. Sidney W...
Year: 1994

Biblio - KBL781 - 2010-11-18 15:47

Authors: Fielder, John H.
Publication Type: Journal Article
Secondary Title: Hastings Center Report
Abstract: Presents the case of Bjork-Shiley Convexo-Concave (C/C) mechanical heart valves in examining the way medical systems address the need for a product recall in view of a defective medical device. Strut failures; `Dear Doctor' letters;...
Year: 1993

Biblio - KBL781 - 2010-11-18 15:47

Authors: Weil, Vivian
Publication Type: Case Study
Abstract: You are a development engineer for a company making graphical display systems. When developing a a pilot line of state-of-the-art display system for use by a small computer manufacturer, a glitch develops in the pilot line of units...
Year: 1989

Biblio - KBL781 - 2010-11-18 15:10

Authors: Leveson, N. G. ; Turner, C. S.
Publication Type: Journal Article
Secondary Title: Computer
Abstract: Between June 1985 and January 1987, the Therac-25 medical electron accelerator was involved in six massive radiation overdoses. As a result, several people died and others were seriously injured. A detailed investigation of the fact...
Year: 1993
DOI: 10.1109/MC.1993.274940

Authors: Tim Wick
Publication Type: Case Study
Abstract: This numerical problem asks you to analyze a case where a consumer lost her eye when opening a bottle of champagne due to a faulty protective cage. You are asked by the law firm to do an engineering analysis to support their client...
Year: 1995
URL: http://ethics.tamu.edu/Nsfcases/chem/4/chem04.htm

Authors: Loui, Michael C.
Publication Type: Journal Article
Secondary Title: Science and Engineering Ethics
Abstract: This paper offers a definition of quality for products, explains why engineers are morally responsible for quality, and outlines how engineers can fulfill this responsibility....
Year: 1998

Biblio - KBL781 - 2009-07-14 16:55

Authors: Balassone, James ; McBain, John
Publication Type: Case Study
Abstract: A collection of ethical dilemmas for engineers charged with clarifying and overseeing product safety....
Year: 2004
URL: http://www.scu.edu/ethics/dialogue/candc/cases/product-safety.html

Authors: McGinn, Robert E.
Publication Type: Case Study
Abstract: This article describes the moral obligation of engineers and how it is related to design, manufacturing and responsible conduct of research; specifically composite material used in bicycle frame design....
Year: 2006
URL: http://www.onlineethics.org/CMS/profpractice/ppessays/composite_bike.aspx