The authors describe the skills and background knowledge the effective engineer will need and go on to describe the historical development of the engineering profession, with particular reference to the UK but also in comparison with the French and German experiences. Assignments, exercises and study questions are set at the end of each chapter.

Foreword. Acknowledgements. Introduction. Part 1. Technology and Society. 1. The Professional Engineer in Society. Education and engineering. Is engineering a true profession? 2. The Work of the Engineering Council. Standards and routes to registration. Counting education and training. Campaigns and initiatives. 3. Technology and Society. The concept of a technological revolution. Technology transfers to the Third World. The impact of technology in society. 4. Energy Sources and the Environment. Fossil fuels. Acid rain. The Greenhouse Effect. Nuclear power. The disposal of nuclear waste. Nuclear reactor accidents: The Mile Island Nuclear Power Station accident. Chernobyl Nuclear Reactor accident. Nuclear fusion - energy for the next century? 5. Issues in Engineering Safety. The Health and Safety at Work Act, 1974. Explosion at Nypro (UK) Ltd, Fixborough, 1974. Release of dioxin from ICMESA Plant, Seveso, Italy, 1976. Release of methyl isocyanate from the Union Carbide Corporation Plant, Bhopal, India, 1984. Challenger Space Shuttle explosion, Cape Canaveral, USA, 1986. Capsize of the Herald of Free Enterprise, Zeebrugge, Belgium, 1987. The lessons learned. Safety in design. Human factors in safety. Part 2. The Organisation of Engineering Activities. 6. The Pioneers of Management Thought. Scientific management ('Taylorism'). The principles of administration (Fayol). Alfred Sloan and General Motors. Modern criticisms of the pioneers of management. 7. Modern Approaches to Organisational Design. The Japanese management style. 'In search of excellence'. Computer integrated manufacture. The Jaguar turnaround. Contracting out. The federal organisation. 8. Team Leadership. Leadership motivation and team building. The power of the group. Leadership style. Quality circles. Leadership and organisational structure. Part 3. 9. Face-to-Face Communication. Making a formal presentation. Chairing a meeting. Selection interviewing. 10. Written Communications. Style. Structure and logical order. Presentation. Memos and letters. Study Questions and Assignments. Bibliography. Appendices. Appendix 1. The Major British Engineering Institutions - A Chronology. Appendix 2. Key Dates in the Development of the British Engineering Profession. Appendix 3. Useful Address. Index.