Catalyst

 

I

A recent graduate of Engineering Tech, Bernie Reston has been employed in Research and Development of Larom Chemical for the past several months. Bernie was recommended to Larom as the top Engineering Tech graduate in chemical engineering.

Alex Smith, the head of Bernie’s unit, showed immediate interest in Bernie’s research on processes using a particular catalyst (call it B). However, until last week, his primary research assignments at Larom were in other areas.

A meeting of engineers in Bernie’s unit is called by Alex. He announces that the unit must make a recommendation within the next two days on what catalyst should be used by Larom in processing a major product. It is clear to everyone that Alex is anticipating a brief, decisive meeting. One of the senior engineers volunteers, "We’ve been working on projects like this for years, and catalyst A seems to be the obvious choice." Several others immediately concur. Alex looks around the room and, hearing no further comments, says, "Well, it looks like we’re in accord on this. Do we have consensus?"

So far Bernie has said nothing. He is not sure what further testing will show, but the testing he has been doing for the past week provides preliminary evidence that catalyst B may actually be best for this process. This is also in line with what his research at Engineering Tech suggested with somewhat similar processes. If catalyst B should turn out to be preferable, a great deal of money will saved; and, in the long run, a fair amount of time will be saved as well. Bernie wonders if he should mention his findings at this time or simply defer to the senior engineers, who seem as determined as Alex to bring matters to closure.

What would you advise Bernie to do? Identify and discuss any ethical questions this case raises.

II

Bernie somewhat hesitantly raises his hand. He briefly explains his test results and the advantages catalyst B might provide. Then he suggests that the unit might want to delay its recommendation for another two weeks so that he can conduct further tests.

Alex replies, "We don’t have two weeks. We have two days." He then asks Bernie to write up the report, leaving out the preliminary data he has gathered about catalyst B. He says, "It would be nice to do some more testing, but we just don’t have the time. Besides, I doubt if anything would show up in the next two weeks to change our minds. This is one of those times we have to be decisive--and we have to look decisive and quit beating around the bush. They’re really getting impatient on this one. Anyway, we’ve had a lot of experience in this area."

Bernie replies that, even if the data on B is left out, the data on A is hardly conclusive. Alex replies, "Look, you’re a bright guy. You can make the numbers look good without much difficulty--do the math backwards if you have to. Just get the report done in the next two days!"

Bernie likes working for Larom, and he feels lucky to have landed such a good job right out of Engineering Tech. He is also due for a significant pay raise soon if he plays his cards right.

What do you think Bernie should do? Should he write up the report as Alex says? Should he refuse to write up the report, saying he will have no part in falsifying a report? Or is there something else he might do? Explain your choice. 

III

Bernie decides to write up the report. When he is finished, Alex asks him to sign it. Bernie now has second thoughts. He wonders if he should sign his name to a report that omits his preliminary research on catalyst B and that is based, in part, on "doing the math backwards." What options does Bernie have at this point? Which one would you advise him to take? Explain.

IV

After reluctantly signing the report, Bernie continues to have second thoughts about what his unit has recommended. He now has an opportunity to do more research on catalyst B. After several weeks his research quite decisively indicates that, contrary to the earlier report, catalyst B really would have been, far and away, the better choice. What should Bernie do now? Keep the data to himself and not make trouble? Tell Alex and let him decide what, if anything, to do? Something else?