Ineffective persons, even if vested with authority by their institution, may not be able to summon the power their position allows them to exercise. On the other hand, people who are effective may be able to wield greater power that goes beyond the authority attached to the positions they hold. Highly respected engineers of proven integrity belong to this class. Authority - Morally justified
Institutional authority ‘The institutional right given to a person to exercise power based on the resources of the institution’. - It is acquired, exercised and defined within institutions. - It is given to individuals to perform their institutional duties assigned within the organization. There is not always a perfect match between the authority granted and the qualifications needed to exercise it. Expert authority ‘The possession of special knowledge, skill or competence to perform some task or to give sound advice’. Engineers may have expert authority but their institutional authority, may only be, to provide management with analysis of possible ways to perform a technical task, after which they are restricted to following management’s directive about which option to pursue. In large companies, engineers, advisors and consultants in staff function carry expert authority, while institutional authority is vested only with line managers.
1. Acting on professional commitments to the public is more effective to serve a company than just following company orders. 2. Loyalty to employers may not mean obeying one’s immediate supervisor. 3. Professional obligations to both an employer and to the public might strengthen rather than contradict each other.
Agency-Loyalty - Engineers are hired to do their duties. - Hence obligated to employers within proper limits Identification-Loyalty Obligatory on two conditions; 1. When some important goals are met by and through a group in which the engineers participate 2. When employees are treated fairly, receiving the share of benefits and burdens. But clearly, identification-loyalty is a virtue and not strictly an obligation.
Agency-Loyalty - Fulfill one’s contractual duties to an employer. - Duties are particular tasks for which one is paid - Co-operating with colleagues - Following legitimate authority within the organization. Identification-Loyalty: - It has to do with attitudes, emotions and a sense of personal identity. - Seeks to meet one’s moral duties with personal attachment and affirmation. - It is against detesting their employers and companies, and do work reluctantly and horribly (this is construed as disloyalty) This means - Avoid conflicts of interest, - Inform employers of any possible conflicts of interest, - Protect confidential information, - Be honest in making estimates, - Admit one’s errors, etc.
