抄録
Since 1996,major engineering societies in Japan, one after another, have established their codes of ethics. The Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers is no exception; it promulgated its ethics code in 1999. While the clarification of each society's ethical values by establishing the code of ethics is a very important step, it does not guarantee the ethical behavior of its members. An engineering society has to construct and operate a comprehensive ethics program in order to increase moral autonomy with which its members can make sound ethical judgments, striking a balance among various values, and act responsibly in accordance with their decisions. In this presentation, the authors discuss essential features of an effective ethics program based on analysis of some good practices in industry. The authors also examine the need for a "values-sharing program, " through which an organization aims to share ethical values with its stakeholders, in encouraging ethical decision making among engineers.
