While many classical ethicists frame ethical conundrums as a single event whose outcome is solely shaped by a single bystander, exemplified by the classic "Trolly Problem", in reality, many case studies show that outcomes are shaped by a number of stakeholders, often with competing interests and power.
In this lesson, we will discuss and roleplay a real-life case study in order to better understand how competing interests and power can shape outcomes and create unethical situations. This will provide a more nuanced understanding of what ethics really means when applied to situations potentially experienced by those in the software engineering workforce
Learning Outcomes
Identify stakeholders involved in determining and executing upon technical requirements which in turn shape ethical outcomes
Understand the limits of individual action as well as repercussions associated with "ethical decision making" when doing so conflicts with competing interests and power structures
Understand how in multi-stakeholder systems, information is often limited which makes ethical decision making fraught
Study Resources
For your study of this topic, review these resources prior to class.
This section is meant to showcase how the in class activities for the following sessions will be conducted
This exercise is meant to have students role-play in various positions of workers involved in the development of the Boeing 373 Max aircraft which lead to the eventual deaths of over 300 innocent people. Students are meant to understand through their role-play, how instead of an ethical engineering outcome being determined solely via the actions of a single engineer, it’s actually a variety of stakeholders pressured by a larger system of incentives that oftentimes create these outcomes. This section is meant to provide an overview of how the logistics of the role-play will work.
The instructor will explain to the student the following in order to set up the class role-play
Each student will be assigned a role card which includes the following
Job/position within a company
Key points of knowledge
Goals (what you're supposed to do for your job)
Disincentives (what is liable to get you fired or harm your career)
The role play will be conducted in "rounds" which are meant to show the passage of time.
For each round, students will on their own document their actions, concerns, and likelihood of success.
The instructor should be ready to jump in during discussions to provide additional context to students. In particular, the instructor should role-play as NPCs to drive home the Goals and disincentives of each role.
For example, if the CEO team decides that regardless of profit, they will pursue the safest course of action, the instructor should step in and notify them of shareholders' dissatisfaction with this course of action and potential removal.
Pre Class Homework
Distribute Role cards evenly and randomly to each student in the classroom. Each student is to independently research the responsibilities of their role online and write up a short 2-3 paragraph description of the following:
What are the primary responsibilities of a person within this position?
How does someone in this position serve the overall business goals of the organization they participate in?
Do you imagine this role ever having major ethical concerns in performing their duties? If so what might those be?
Round: 1
This round is meant to help students understand the impetus for a new version of a Boeing 737 and to gauge their reaction.
These "cards" will be used in the activity for Round 1. Please note the role you are assigned during lecture and reference the information for your role below.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Key points of knowledge:
Boeing is suffering since the 2008 financial crash. The investment into large trans-Atlantic aircraft such as the 747 has not paid off and travelers are preferring smaller regional flights.
Customers are looking for more efficient aircraft that can have larger takeoff weight and use less fuel
American Airlines is threatening to drop Boeing in favor of ordering the new and more fuel-efficient Airbus A320neo
Goals:
Maximize Boeing revenue
Ensure Airbus (Boeing's primary competitor) does not capture market value
Disincentives
Destabilize Boeing's income
Chief Technical Officer (CTO)
Key points of knowledge:
It will take around 10 years to develop a new alternative to the 737
The 737's design is becoming dated. Originally released in 1967, it's becoming increasingly difficult to modernize the aircraft iteratively.
The 737 could likely compete with the new a320neo by re-engining the aircraft with more efficient engines. This would take roughly 5 years but will be tricky to do so given the dated design.
Goals:
Meet business goals of Boeing by building an effective aircraft on time that meets the needs of customers
Develop aircraft features determined by higher up while adhering to any safety standards set forth by FAA/others
Disincentives
Develop any systems that will hinder/prevent delivery of Boeing aircraft in a timely manner.
Chief Marketing Officer (CMO)
Key points of knowledge:
Customers want an aircraft that is efficient, requires minimal training, and can be maintained alongside an existing fleet of Boeing 737 aircraft
Customers view the Boeing 737 as dated compared to the Airbus A320
Goals:
Develop a marketing campaign that will make customers want to buy the "new" 737 over the A320neo
Disincentives
Develop any marketing material that makes Boeing look old, slow, or in any way worse than Airbus.
Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
Key points of knowledge:
Internal financial audits show that revenues are declining
Recession has increased costs of parts and manufacturing
Competitors are lining up to offer alternatives to our customers
Goals:
Develop a financial strategy that maximizes profit
Reduce expenses at all cost
Disincentives
Expose the financial hardship in a way that dilutes the stock and worries investors, showing weakness against competitors
Activity 1
You will now have 15 minutes to discuss with each other and complete the following:
Based upon your Role Card, and Homework what would you believe your course of action would be given all that you know?
Document your answer to the above question individually after group discussion.
Activity 2
Count off into randomized groups
Document what your group (with various roles and incentives) will decide to do as Boeing Corporation (rather than your individual selves).
Homework - Research Roles
For the following homework, you will be switching roles. Based on your previous role, you will be assigned the following:
