BUS308: Sustainability, Ethics and Law Assignment, SUSS, Singapore: Ethan is a software engineer and he wrote a computer program for his company’s client

Question 2

Ethan is a software engineer and he wrote a computer program for his company’s client. After the program was delivered and installed for the client, Ethan discovered that although the computer program did meet the client’s requirements, there were some bugs in the computer program that should have been resolved if adequate tests were conducted prior to delivery and installation. Under the company’s contract with the client, it was stipulated that the company had an obligation to conduct adequate tests and rectify any bugs prior to delivery.

Ethan raised this matter to his supervisor, Benny (who is one of the senior managers) and proposed that the company should recall the computer program, rectify the bugs, and help the client reinstall the rectified computer program. Ethan truly believed this was the right thing to do as his former employer had told him that this would otherwise be a form of “cheating” the
client.

However, Benny told Ethan not to recall the computer program as it will adversely impact the company’s reputation. Benny also told Ethan that the company is facing financial difficulties and if there was no increase in revenue, the company may have to retrench many employees. Benny wanted to help the company earn more profits and this was partly because he had recently been made a shareholder of the company.