2009•Structures Congress 2009Requires access
The Business of Ethics
Michael N. Goodkind
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Abstract
Structural Engineering is a profession. A profession is an occupation that requires training and the study and mastery of specialized knowledge. Professions usually have: (1) a professional association, (2) an ethical code, and (3) a process of certification or licensure. Most structural engineers work for organizations that provide professional services to others. They may be consulting engineers who provide services to owners, developers or architects. Or, they may work for an agency that provides services to the other user agencies. In either case, the structural engineer is providing a professional service. The purpose of a code of ethics is to guide and support day-to-day decision making in the practice of the profession. A code of ethics has many uses, but I want to focus on the judgment provisions which encourage ethical decision-making.