Abstract
M.A.
In this modem era there is a perceptible move away from the narrow vocational
working basis of engineers towards a more expansive entrepreneurial paradigm. But this
new way of working has also resulted in ethical tensions between the entrepreneur and the
professional concepts.
The principal aim of this research is to understand the impact of entrepreneurialism
on the professional ethics of the entrepreneurial engineer.
The research methodology is based on a study of literary data, private discussions
with practitioners and the personal experience of the author.
In order to contextualise the engineering profession in relation to management and
entrepreneurialism a short historical overview is given. Then the dialectical terms
"profession" and "entrepreneur" are defined in the context of the research. Thereafter the
shift required by the current professional engineers code of ethics to embrace the
requirements of the new entrepreneurial engineering professional is analysed.
Two case studies are used to illustrate the ethical tensions and currents that can
develop in a real world situation. The first case study concerns the relationship between
professional engineers and the management structure of an organisation. In the second
case study, the question of the entrepreneurial engineering professional and clients is
examined. These two case studies reinforce the urgent need for a complete overhaul of the
current code of ethics for professional engineers.
A postulation is made that any new code of ethics must have as a point of departure
a system of "shared values". In order to develop an agenda for the establishment of such a
code of ethics that will also accommodate the aspirations of the entrepreneurial engineering
professional, Newton's model for entrepreneurial ethics is proposed.