Elites in Engineering

Elites in Engineering

In the contemporary world, it has increasingly become significant for active engineers to be uniformly skilled in technical and management comprehension. This is in the view of the fact numerous graduates find themselves in significant leadership positions. To assist engineering professionals improve their leadership aptitudes within their profession through a course in Entrepreneurship, Leadership, Innovation and Technology in Engineering (ELITE) is paramount. ELITE courses help engineering graduates who are seeking to enhance their profession through supplementary education. The courses also help engineers who are seeking to promote their technical knowledge and leadership abilities in their present role. In this regard, this paper assesses the leaders in British engineering and their characteristics. The paper will evaluate how the qualities of these leaders in engineering have changed overtime, the upshots of the changes and how the changes have affected the way British Engineering has expanded to address contemporary challenges like climate change and sustainability. The paper also identifies the professional elites in British Engineering to detect how the make-up of networks of these elites developed in the contemporary world. This function will help in discovering how and why modern engineering in Britain has grown besides providing possible predictions regarding the prospect of British engineering.

Elites in Engineering

Introduction

Harold Perkin gives a wonderfully provocative and stimulating record of the growth of the contemporary world in the last fifty years (Perkin 1989, p.6). His book analyzes what he considers crucial turning points in the history of human kind. The Rise of Professional Society and the Origins of Modern English Society-1780-1880 evaluates Industrial Revolution and its impacts on the English Society as well as the evolution of human organizations characterized through the increment of professional classes. It is in his 3rd volume that Perkin Harold expands his tale to the present time and extends it to assess the growth of professional elites in the post-industrial world; in United States, France, Germany, Japan, Soviet Russia and more importantly, Britain. According to Perkin, a professional refers to any skill-based expert who offers special services (Perkin 1989, p.6). Private and public sector bureaucrats and managers form part of the professional elites.

According to Taylor (2008, p.6), engineering in all its forms is a crucial employment source. Engineers work for, manage and control organizations in both the private and public sectors, which differ in size from global organizations to small and local companies (Saccol 2011, p.78). An engineer is a specialized practitioner of engineering who is keen in applying mathematics, ingenuity and scientific knowledge to create solutions to technical issues. Engineers design structures, systems and materials while putting into consideration the restraints imposed through regulation, cost, safety and practicality.

Engineers are rooted in applied sciences with their function in development and research differing from the basic research hub of scientists. The functions of engineers create the connection amid scientific detections and the applications to life quality and human needs. The engineering industry offers income for its employees, profit for the employers and tax revenue for the government (Gospel 2010, p.30). As a result, engineering is wealth creating and it enables the infrastructure and social services of civilized society to be offered.

A Brief History of Engineering

The history of engineering is an account of social evolution of humankind, and therefore, of the development of civilization. The urban life, to which all rural and nomadic life developed in the past and continues in the emerging nations today, has its roots, five thousand years ago in Rivers Tigris, Euphrates, Indus and Nile valley where the cradles of civilization started (Erickson 1960, p.50). Water engineering to enhance irrigation made life more viable in the Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia great cities. The cities were swiftly followed by the remaining counties within the Mediterranean Sea.

Communal production of food released a taskforce for digging irrigation canals, artisans to create tools, and the expansion of trade amid adjacent communities. The survival of these communities depended on a leader, often military or religious who gathered support from the people. In return, they upheld power through guaranteeing that their followers achieved employment, food and shelter, hence a better quality of life (Rahman 2008, p.17). Contemporary engineering has its foundations in the industrial revolution that started in Britain in the 17th Century and achieved its peak one hundred and fifty years later. Engineering was a major aspect in the growth of countries that instigated the creation of the British Commonwealth and the associated rapid development of the world trade (Taylor 2011, p.6).

The first clients were perhaps such leaders who acknowledged the worth of the more developed artisans with special technical experience and knowledge to form a visible illustration of their wealth and power. The advancement of ocean-going and the discovery of bronze, an alloy of copper and tin, instigated trade routes opening up for metal workers. The early engineers became the channel for international trade and colonization through which the 15th and 16th centuries spread social evolution in the entire world. The legacy of the Romans in Britain is the most apparent in the landscape formed through their cities and towns linked through a grid of surfaced roads (Erickson 1960, p.50). Their position was selected for a good supply of water, surrounding fertile land and good communications. The Roman developers exploited the masonry arch that was made possible through their discovery of cement allowing the building of aqueducts that provided fresh water supply.

The industrial Revolution started in the English Midlands and prompted a period of great technological and social change. It released from starvation a huge proportion of persons who operated in agriculture, notwithstanding working in conditions that would not acceptable in the modern world, but the general enhancement in health prompted a rapid increase in population. It began in the late 17th century and went through the eighteenth century and into the 19th centuries (Erickson 1960, p.52). The driving force was steam power, fuelled primarily through coal, which hastily overtook wind and waterpower, and ox and horsepower. It spread throughout Britain and continental Europe subsequently the British Empire, reaching the northern part of the United States by early 19th century.

Engineering is an important component in the realization of the goals and objectives of the modern and future planets. This is because of the role of engineering in improving the living conditions of the individuals in relation to implementation of technology and mission in addressing the modern challenges or problems with reference to the current population. Governments note the importance of the institution of engineering in the achievement of economic growth and development especially in the context of the United Kingdom. Engineering system in the United Kingdom is considered as one of the pioneers of engineering at the global level. This relates to the important role in relation to the concept of industrial revolution. The view of the traditional engineering system in the United Kingdom did not focus on the conservation of the environment.

This indicates lack of critical attention to the social, economic, ethical, and political influences on the planet. The traditional view of the engineering system in the United Kingdom is one of the essential contributors of current challenges or obstacles facing the planet. One of the main contributions of this perspective is rapid increase in the planet's population to stand at more than six billion. The increase in the world's population has led to other challenges such as global warming, climate change, overcrowding, and lack of sufficient water and sanitation in addressing the current and future needs and preferences.

In order to address these issues or planet challenges, the United Kingdom saw the need to transform the engineering system with the aim of achieving various objectives. One of the essential needs or objectives for the implementation of new mindset in relation to the British engineering system is the need to achieve sustainable development. Sustainable development relates to the empowerment of the economy with the aim of satisfying the needs and preferences of the current population without compromising the needs or wants of the future generation. This is an indication of great influence in the preservation of the environment to address issues of the current and future generations. Sustainable development indicates that the economy should be able to provide basic needs to its citizens. Another critical objective of the transformation of the engineering system of the United Kingdom is the need to address essence of climate change or global warming. It is essential to note that human activities are the main contributors of increase in the level of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. This is one of the main facilitators of increase in the average global temperatures thus global warming.

Global warming is the main problem affecting modern engineers. The duty of the engineers should focus on the minimization of the influence of the global warming affecting the forms of life. It is also the duty of the engineers to minimize pollution to the environment, water, and air. This is through neutralization of the concepts and aspects of pollution. It is ideal to understand the role of engineers in improving the living conditions of the citizens. Engineers should focus on the improvement of the performance of the economy. This relates to the transformation of the theories of controlling the world and adopting new frameworks in the operating in conjunction with the planet. New engineers need to adopt and implement new theories of focusing on the economic, social, and political concepts in relation to both technical and nontechnical disciplines (Cameron 2010 p.40).

Leaders in British Engineering

According to Lewis (1998, p.88), the technology style of the 19th century stretches from the peak of one long wave to the peak of the next. The concerned style would have made its first appearance in 1870s and would have held great influence in the late Victorian period. It was marked through the diffusion of cheap bulk steel that emerged in the mid-Victorian periods, advances in science-based industries such as engineering and chemicals, spread of electric power and the adoption of novel types of managerial organizations linked to the rise of the managerially controlled corporations (Bodde 2004, p. 45). This period saw the transformation from rule of thumb techniques in industry to a world of more intricate mechanization, large-scale organizations which include science-based industries in electrical engineering and organic chemistry.

Electricity played a role of a major innovation, offering the impetus to the 19th-century long wave besides powering the transmission of the economy to the upswing of the third Kondratieff wave. The third wave of Kondratieff is linked to electricity while the second wave is linked to railroads (Bodde 2004, p. 45). The end of the 19th century saw the new technological styles in Britain's industrial structure. Towards the end of the 19th century, Britain remained among the leaders in the electrical engineering and generating field, but during the start of the 20th century, the country was outclassed by the United States and Germany.

British engineers built the first electric overhead railway and equipped it at Liverpool through a British electrical Engineering firm in 1888 (Taylor 2011, p.6). Despite, building the first electric overhead railway, British electrical firms failed to grow from a powerful stance, and they also failed to avoid a great extent of foreign penetration in the British market. The most significant turning point in the fortunes of the initial British firms came in late 1890s, when the anticipated upshots would have been a surge of action in a sector described by Lewis (1998) as the driving force of the new upswing (Lewis 1998, p.88).

According Lewis (1998, p.90), the 1890s experienced developing tension amid the engineers and businesspeople within the firms falling profitability and considerable price competition. Internal strife broke out in several large organizations in the late 1890s, and serious quarrels experienced at the Crompton and ECC (Lewis 1998, p.90). Management intricacies offer only one of a host of aspects, which causes the backwardness of the electricity industry in Britain. Other candidates held accountable included over-speculation, cheap gas competition, adverse legislation in the 1880s, and consultant engineer and management incompetence.

Consultant engineer was a strange aspect in British engineering, and its intervention prohibited the fruitful direct collaboration aimed by the engineering producer and the client (Lewis 1998, p.90). Consultant engineer tended to impose purely engineering aspects as opposed to economic criteria. The industry seemed to integrate technical conservatism with persistence, antiquated techniques, and while it could produce people of inventive genius, it seemed to lack the entrepreneurs of the level of Germans and Americans. There did not appear to be a British Westinghouse or British Siemens.

The state interference inhibited the entrepreneur effort in the electrical industry. An attempt to address the problem was made in 1888, but the destruction had already been done. British entrepreneurs wishing to get into the industry-experienced entrenched and long-term gas supply industry (Lewis 1998, p.90). In 1900s, gas provided ten times as much light as electricity did, and there lacked incentive to install electric lighting as many agencies had their own gasworks. The British steel industry has also faced criticism because of alleged failures and British businesspeople had been condemned for holding a business structure dominated by large numbers of small firms, which instigated a secretive, obstinate and pervasive individualism.

Initially, British steel industry was doing quite well with 43% in 1870. However, by 1913, the British steel industry was overtaken as a major steel producer by the United States of America and Germany, and by 1900s, USA and Germany were producing three times the British industry's output (Lewis 1998, p.90). As a result, engineering professionals improve their leadership aptitudes within their professional through skills in entrepreneurship, leadership, innovation and technology.

The decision by the railway companies to develop their own steam engines and rolling stock created a locomotive manufacturing industry, which was, with its private and public sector, different to Great Britain. Private companies continued to be centered in the long-established engineering areas of Northeast, Lancashire and Yorkshire serving the specialist and overseas market, and occasional home railway organizations (Bodde 2004, p. 45). Railway organizations establishments were more widely spread, and their strategic locations on their companies' lines functioned as both maintenance and manufacturing centers for their companies. The predictable and constant demand ensured that the railway companies' workshops were large and more technically developed than scores of their private counterparts (Harvey & Turner 1989, p. 11). . The companies had increased workforce compared to private companies.

However, the greatest problem facing the early railway companies included gaining and disciplining labor force. By 1919, the railway company workshop had 135, 000 employees in eight hundred different workshops owned by a plethora of railway firms (Harvey & Turner 1989, p. 11). Initial railway recruitment happened when industrial discipline was comparatively new and when skilled engineering workers were few. However, with increased trained engineers, the companies needed a special managerial design that would have offered divergent labor strategies. Modern engineering employers tried to gain control of their labor supply through forming or dominating local skilled labor markets via the granting different welfare provisions.

Railways companies retained the services of their general workers through pay and promotion incentives, thereby introducing an internal labor market with the railway companies. Britain's early railway organizations held few precursors on which they shaped their labor recruitment strategies. Only the East India Company and Army employed a similar strategy in disciplining and employing a large labor force (Harvey & Turner 1989, p. 11). The two companies offered scores of railway companies early managerial personnel. Army-like paternalism and discipline became the foundation of all railway companies' industrial links from their beginnings until the establishment of novel systems of links in the present century.

The vision of discipline and natural hierarchy became very useful in early railway companies (Harvey & Turner 1989, p. 11). The late 1880s and 1890s experienced the establishment of novel payment system, which intensified the indirect supervision of the labor procedure. Part of the general trend in the British engineering industry, the establishment payment systems and new scientific work methods and technology, were embraced to address the impacts of economic depression and foreign petition.

Elsewhere in the engineering industry, the drive to increase managerial prerogatives was to culminate in the ASE in 1897-1898. The establishment of novel technologies presented restrained prospects for management to attain increased control of the labor process. Technology did little to enhance the labor process in companies. In other sectors of the British engineering industry, the establishment of automatic turret and capstan lathers in later 1890s undermined the skills and discretion of artisans' (Harvey & Turner 19).

Characteristics of Leaders in British Engineering

Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship is the main source of sustainable economic prosperity for regions, societies, nations, small firms, individuals and nations (Wustenhagens 2008, p.67). Innovation systems increase entrepreneurship through massive support of innovative activity such as R & D. And technology development (Carsrud 2007, p.3). Entrepreneurship also holds a crucial role in offering efficient and innovative solutions to social and environmental problems. Entrepreneurs undertake, assume, organize and manage the risks of given business. Engineers play a crucial role in changing the lives of people. Engineering is the channel through which mathematic, design and scientific skills combine. The engineering industry comprises of almost 1/5 of the United-Kingdom economy besides employing over four million people. United Kingdom is among the top ten world's largest manufacturers, where engineering form a major portion of industries that include film, construction, medicine, fashion, food, cosmetics, TV and music (Bessant 2011, p.3).

Britain is a leader in engineering for over three centuries. Engineers from Britain changed the contemporary transport through building and designing the first railways, airplanes and ships, Thomas Stevenson designed the railway, Isambard Kingdom Brunel designed and developed ships while Geoffrey de Havilland designed and developed airplanes, and Rolls-Royce designed motor cars. These engineers also built viaducts, roads and bridges.

Leadership

A leader is more than just a commander of the Ship. He is also the organization's visionary, the head of the parade, and the first to climb a hill. The primary role of a leader is to evaluate the future, compare it to the current state and persuade the employees to change the organization to that vision (Grant 1979, p.45). The leader employs available resources to assess continually the future occurrences; what are the needs of the client, the role of competition in satisfying customer needs and the environment facets that acts to facilitate or prevent the ability of the business to achieve the future expectations of the client. The leader alone cannot achieve this task; they must marshal the troops (Mendonca 2006, p.12). The leader must inspire the employees to prepare the organization in order to meet the prospective needs of the customer. The leader must continually communicate urgencies, issues, strategies and visions to motivate the employees to perform. To maintain the motivation and vision, leaders through their message cautiously shape the organization's culture.

The culture is a common set of values, beliefs, behaviors or code of conduct than must be accepted by all within the organization (Grant 1979, p.45). An organization's culture refers to the powerful belief values and systems accepted by most of the members of the organization. The leader, through constant repetition of the message builds up the common set of values. Moreover, through walking around and behaving in a distinctive manner while handling suppliers, customers and employees, the manager demonstrate the acceptable behaviors and values in the organization.

An effective leader utilizes organizational culture to motivate and support the values. An effective leader feels that motivations and behaviors are crucial for the organization's prospective growth. Employees working through their daily task must learn the correct perspective. Most management procedures and directives tell employees what to do but not what to emphasize (Honarpour & Jusoh 2012, p.30). Most managers keep employees at arm's length and they do not allow evolution from a manager to a leader. Even more fundamentally, for a company's CEO, it is more intricate to inspire employees regarding a new vision through communication alone. Such acts explain why it is not easy for a company to move from a status quo position and react to the changing atmosphere.

Until transformations reach crisis proportions, companies find it intricate to change. Underlying this observation is the actuality that most managers are employed to maintain a special process moving. They are not hired to work as a management team and seek the leadership necessary to pull an organization in the course of tough times (Stair & Reynolds 2009.Leadership refers to how people interact with one another. Leaders are rather visible in large and small businesses. Leaders alter the world, touch hearts, invigorate and inspire; they influence history's course besides the course of their followers (Schneider 2008, p.78). Leading entails how leaders help in moving their followers into action.

Innovation

Engineers view themselves as problem solvers, and they employ a "can do" attitude in their professional lives. They play the major role in R & D. And innovation in modern business world. Engineering plays a crucial role in manufacturing industries. Representatives of business in sectors such agriculture, construction, food production, automotive, medical and environmental technologies believe that they require the knowledge of engineers in one way or another to uphold their existing functions (Marcus & Starik 2000, p.543) . They also believe that they need engineers' skills for development of their business and future. Apparently, the future that is dominated with new inventions, modifications is being constructed through metaphysical, technological and cultural shift.

Engineers are often required to translate an innovative concept into practical reality. For instance, the enhanced productivity in carpet manufacturing in Britain was realized after recognition that the application of technology is in a position to make it easier for one person to manage numerous looms at once. It calls for engineering knowledge in order to apply the innovative concept to the looms and to make the looms work with the undoubted success that has so far been achieved. Politicians among other interested parties want the United Kingdom to raise its focus on development and research to compete in the contemporary world and meet its goals.

After research, some works need to be done to change the gathered knowledge into a workable business concepts. This is the area where engineering skills are greatly needed. The limits amid new concepts, good design and the utilization of resources and material join in engineering. It hence makes engineering significant to both development and research. The growth of the new skills and translation of the knowledge into services or products, meet the needs of the market and business (Raatama 2003, p.5). Therefore, engineering is problem solving and a natural proclivity to innovation. Scores of novel products are resultant of engineers bringing novel concepts and knowledge together in a realistic combination.

Technology

In contemporary terms, technology and engineering may be defined as the knowledge to manipulate nature to produce products (industrial, commercial and consumer), services and energy. The terms may also refer to comprehension of manipulation procedure that seeks to satisfy human economic and social aspirations and needs (Marcus & Starik 2000, p.543). Both technology and engineering interface with physical sciences, humanities and mathematics. Understanding of technology is crucial as it helps in translating innovative concepts into reality while due regard for engineering is crucial for success of businesses.

Engineering and technology management is concerned with managing engineering and technologies to attain business goals (Vermeulen & Curseu 2008, p.76). It calls for skills in comprehending technology and engineering in addition to managing business activities in an organization. In modern competitive global economy, an effective management of technology and engineering is important for survival of businesses and maintenance of national wealth (Dhillon 2007, p.2).

Modern technologies have extensively become the stamp of contemporary construction and other engineering activities. Present engineers have adopted novel materials and technology to form optional energy sources. The new technologies have been used to develop high tech sustainable buildings with an example of Olympic Park used in 2012 London games. A British engineer, Tim-Berners Lee, and an entrepreneur developed the global Web the runs the internet.

Leading engineers share their concepts. They share and develop knowledge, promote science and share technology and engineering skills. However, engineering skills are specifically productive when integrated with enterprise (Schwalbe 2010, p.13). Most engineering act ivies embrace technology thereby leading to development of technology-intensive organizations. According to Geisler & Wickramasinghe (2009, p.30), technology is now universally recognized as the engine of economic development. Technological innovation generates rises in productivity and helps companies in remaining competitive. As a result, managing technology is a critical activity to firms particularly engineering organizations.

The effective management of technology requires a comprehension of both technical and business aspects of technology deployment and development (Geisler & Wickramasinghe 2009, p.34). Engineering organizations need to integrate technology into their general strategic objectives for them to gain a competitive edge. Such firms also need to assess and evaluate technologies more productively besides engaging better techniques of transferring and assimilating new technology. The organizations hold the capacity to manage large, complex and interdisciplinary systems, projects and programs.

More importantly, leveraging the efficiency of technical professionals is paramount. Engineering organizations make effective and strategic use of technological abilities to support their business objectives. Hashem & Khalil (2010, p.26) assert that the major link between competitive advantage and technology is innovation. The quest for competitive advantage triggers firms to invest in innovation. Knowledge management in engineering organizations has gained recognition as a foremost success determinant and competitive edge.

Businesses not only compete based on operational pre-eminence, services and commodities, but also compete on the buildup supervision of their intellectual qualities and shared memory (Hashem & Khalil 2010, p.27). Engineering organizations recognize that their success depends on their ability to handle the efficient flow and diffusion of knowledge in the organization. Knowledge management in such organization functions as a tool that facilitates an incorporated perspective to fortitude, sharing and controlling all business information.

Technology management connects science, engineering and management principles to scheme, develop and implement technological abilities. Technology management is the management of systems that helps in creation, acquisition and use of technology and it regards technology as a wealth creation seed (Zongjun 2006, p.41). Technology management helps in compilation of basic strategies of technology in a national level, creates and maintains balance in competitive power and increases wealth (Rafdar & Eshlaghy 2011, p.78).

Modern Engineering and Professional Elites in British Engineering

Apparently, the basis of modern engineering would not have taken place without the coming together of rich entrepreneurial clients and imaginative and knowledgeable engineers. This crucial partnership is evident in modern engineering and it enables engineering industry to function effectively and profitable (Bessant 2011, p.3). Effective and competitive management of organization resources requires an apparent comprehension of organizational atmosphere.

Effective assessment of the atmosphere provides great benefits and lowers risks. It is important to introduce a link between numerous facilities to ensure that organizational objectives are achieved. These links lead to general flexibility, knowledge and creativity of an organization as well as promote the allocation of major business processes (Bessant 2011, p.3). The major business procedures must be reflected on in the organizations adoption replica and evaluated about the role of engineering skills, technological skills and leadership skills in enhancing the combination of business processes.

The 20th century saw increased developments in science and technology than any past century, and the greatest development in United Kingdom engineering industries. In its first half, two world wars were instrumental in the mass manufacturing of aircraft, ships, vehicles besides development of nuclear power and the earliest digital electronic computer. The 'Space Race' was a major aspect in the growth of materials technology, satellite communications technology and computing, all of which changed the way engineers operate (Grant 1979, p. 84). Other influences that changed the manner in which engineers operate include technological developments initially made for the armed forces which spin-off in the rest of engineering, causing improved products making their way into the market (Grant 1979, p. 84).

Other influences include state-owned nationalized industries, which include steel making industries, coal mining industries, road transport, railway, telecoms, and power generation, which held engineering department, and they became major customers for the engineering industry. These industries created increased demand for skilled engineering graduates and a school curriculum centered in science and mathematics. Engineering companies surfaced and engineers were employed by them (Taylor 2011, p.16). Other influences of modern engineering include competition, which inspired innovation design, cost reduction, improvement in materials and improved production methods.

Competition, innovation design, cost reduction; improvement in materials and enhanced production methods has changed the concept and face of engineers in the contemporary world. Modern engineers work in British businesses where they embrace leadership besides their leadership skills Grant 1979, p. 84). The engineering industry is beginning to acknowledge the significance of defined and standardized organization as well as functional procedures that promote consistent high quality systems, methods and applications for doing business. The procedures allow a Company to stay within the budget and operate on a cost-effective schedule (Lamberg & Tikkanen 2006, p.36). However, good standardized procedures must be used in engineering to create space and emulate distinctive high quality project and program qualities. This calls for a systematic perspective to building up processes that integrate benefits of standardization with the flexibility that handles a product's distinctive requirements (Grant 1979, p. 84).

There is nothing wrong with British engineering when it is managed properly. Under committed administrators, British engineers designed and developed some of the best railway systems in the world, in South America and South America. The Indian Post Office System was built, and it was of high standards. British engineers and technical administrators in the contemporary still hold a high reputation on construction projects and in the management of intricate industries across the world (Roderick & Wynne 2012, p.116). German, Japanese, Swiss, American and French organizations that operate subsidiaries in the United Kingdom confirm that these companies perform exceptionally, staffed as they are with British middle management, workforce and technologists.

Moreover, most profitable pharmaceutical companies in Great Britain are those that are subsidiaries of American firms, followed by European companies' subsidiaries, and the bottom being British managed and British owned. Some of these organizations are staffed with the excellent engineering and applied science graduates from the United Kingdom. However, the professionals work under the management systems of their parent organizations and under foreign top management (Erickson 1960, p.50). This implies that when British engineers are stimulated and led by elite, they perform exceptionally well. This is equally true for the most outstanding British companies who perform exceptionally well in world markets (Roderick & Wynne 2012, p.116). It is the quality of mediocrity, championed and supported through the mediocre that is too prevalent, specifically in British engineering firms, and has to be superseded and rejected through elitism to achieve remarkable professional performance.

It is far more likely that Britain fell short in exploiting the prospects formed at the turn of the 19th Century and that its production performance has been sliding downward with the exception of a few, well run organizations, upon who the major performance burden, both at home and for exports, predominantly depends. It is therefore apparent that the performance of manufacturing organizations relies on leadership quality, particularly upon chief executives and boardroom directors. According to Roderick & Wynne (2012, p.116), the performance of British industry depends on education and quality of British engineers.

Most organizations fail to recognize the problems and prospects besides seeking co-operation with other people proficient to contribute. The British industry is remarkable for its almost complete indifference to intellectual action in universities. It is correct that a few organizations who know to build up a product proficiently and in good time, commit the basic mistake of attempting out their concept on their client (Kim & De la Garza 2005, p.333). Moreover, these organizations fail because they are few graduate engineers in the boardrooms. Few engineers demonstrate skills of basic management good enough to become company directors.

The successful German competitors concentrate on engineering at first-degree level, that their boardrooms not only comprise of engineers, but also commercial diploma lawyers, physicists, chemists, entrepreneurs to mention but a few (McCormick 2006, p.24). Engineers' education and applied scientists could well be promoted in some major facets, particularly in making clear, the assumption that technology is larger than production, and the science for industry is to be employed in contexts great than research, that business calls for a strategy, a marketing strategy, and that the industry requires communication skills and co-operation.

Most British companies grapple with managerial innovation and the issues of large-scale innovation in the growing numbers of technicians, lawyers and accountants in the boardroom. There is increasing lags behind the key international competitors in the adoption of new technology triggered by paucity of technical expertise in the boardroom. International comparisons demonstrate how the emergence of large-scale enterprise sent divergent signals to the system of education in different countries (McCormick 2006, p.24). Unlike the German universities, Cambridge, London and Oxford University did not prevent the entry of engineering as a course for university study in 19th century. As a result, England never developed optional institutions for studying engineering like German did. The university engineering studies made slow progress with reduced of enrollment in engineering studies (McCormick 2006, p.24).

In the United Kingdom, business must work closely with schools to assist young people and the people who advise them to comprehend the true temperament of engineering and the wider manufacturing sector in the United Kingdom. This aspect has changed from the outdated stereotypes that are often still believed and show the challenges that subsist as well as rewarding careers that are present. A powerful engineering sector will allow the United Kingdom to compete productively in the contemporary world (Great Britain 2010, p.298). In the contemporary world, most organizations are continuously attempting to reevaluate their future status through adapting change to improve their productivity.

According to Great Britain (2010, p.298), engineering has lost its status in the United Kingdom. In the past, engineering and engineers were held in high regard with some of the Victorian engineers quoted as goods examples to the engineering profession. This is because contemporary engineers from the United Kingdom do not receive recognitions in the manner through which their pioneers received (Great Britain 2010, p.298). The loss of status and worth is partially linked to inadequate awareness of the true temperament of engineering. Just like the wide manufacturing sector, engineering suffers public image that views it is as outdated, declining lacking challenge and dirty. There are some aspects of truth in some of these allegations. In fact, there has been a decline in general numbers employed in manufacturing and engineering, and some jobs can at times become rare.

However, there is huge development made, but not recognized in modern engineering. Shifts in society and economy hold a great role in the shift of public view towards engineering and engineers. During the 19th century, huge portions of the public considered scores of the key engineering projects such as canal, railways, steam engines and bridges in much the same way that the first airports and roads are additions to networks with which people are familiar and often surrounded by environment effects (Great Britain 2010, p.298). Besides the changing values in the modern society, economic shifts have triggered a debate that hold an effect on how people view engineering.

Over the years, numerous conventional UK businesses, particularly engineering closed, shrunk in size and value. This is caused by key shifts in the world economy. The emergence of novel producers overseas who competes with cheaper costs of labor in selected cases and the adoption of technology contributes to development of engineering business in other countries (Leleur 2012, p.76). The decline in number of employees in the manufacturing industries is as a result of the great enhancements in productivity experienced in scores of industries. For instance, in carpet manufacturing industry thirty years ago, 3 to 4 people were employed to maintain the running of a loom and a huge number of people were employed to rectify faults of a finished carpet by hand. However, in the modern world, only one person can keep over two looms running while faults are reduced due to improved technology.

Hall (2008, p.45) asserts that in the era of knowledge economy, organizations enhance their productivity, business flexibility and creativity through accumulated knowledge in a wide variety of procedures. They do so to improve competitiveness in the marketplace. In addition to the common organizational knowledge management actions, Human Resource Management measures, supports and direct actions that augment knowledge value (Kim & De la Garza 2005, p.333). Particularly, sharing of knowledge among employs creates new knowledge that enhances innovative capability of an organization. As in scores of other industries, major enhancement in productivity is a result of engineering embracing innovative technologies. The comparative decline in status for engineers comes with numerous upshots among them poor pay and recruitment of new persons into engineering.

What are the consequences of such changes?

Economic growth proves to be one of the central ambitions of the government thus crucial to the global competitiveness of the United Kingdom. The government of the United Kingdom focuses on engineering skills as crucial to the growth agenda in relation to the economy. Despite this notion, there is a persistent shortfall in relation to the number of engineers essential for the achievement of the economic growth thus the need to adopt and implement radical action to facilitate realization of the goals and objectives of the government of the United Kingdom (Fowler 2012 p.50). The United Kingdom possesses a long tradition with reference to the production of quality engineers with the obligations and capacity to offer changes to the globe. These include civil engineers who contributed massively towards realization of the goals and objectives of the concept of industrial revolution and electronic engineers in the essence of the development of today's digital world. Biomedical engineers focus on the development of tomorrow's life-saving technologies thus a reflection of the effectiveness and efficiency of the United Kingdom's engineering. It is difficult to overstate the influence or implication of the engineers in relation to any society. The United Kingdom's government notes the influence of engineering in the realization of the goals and objectives thus the need to focus on the role of engineering with reference to manufacturing and economic growth (Caldeira 2012 p.30).

One of the essential consequences of changes or transformations in relation to the context of the United Kingdom's engineering is the production of quality engineers. It is ideal to note on the essential role or contribution of engineers in relation to the realization of the goals and objectives of the society. There have been changes in the education criteria and qualifications for the engineers in the United Kingdom (Whitston 2011 p.220). The main objective of this approach is to produce quality engineers essential and vital for the ambition of the government and purposes of United Kingdom. It is vital to note that transformations of the British engineering with reference to education component are vital for the growth and development of the economy. This is through critical roles in the production, manufacturing, and distribution of the products across the nation thus the opportunity to facilitate realization of the goals and objectives of the government with reference to the economic growth and development. The production of competent engineers by the United Kingdom under the influence of the transformation of the education system is vital for the achievement of competitiveness across the globe (Zhou et al. 2013 p.5).

Transformations of the British engineering are essential in the achievement of quality management of the modern issues such as sustainability and climate change. The main objective of the government is to achieve sustainable growth and development thus the opportunity to enhance societal welfare. In the achievement of this objective, it is ideal to focus on the transformation of engineering with the aim of adopting and implementing new technologies towards the development of the economy. Transformations in the context of the British Engineering is essential for the development and implementation of various technologies thus the opportunity for the realization of the objectives of sustainability in relation to the concept of economic growth and development. Technological advancements such as biomedical engineering breakthroughs are essential in the achievement of sustainability, which is a problem in the modern society. Another critical problem affecting the society is the aspect of climate change. For the organization to achieve its goals and objectives, it is vital to focus on the protection of the environment with the aim of preventing harm to the growth and development of humanity, plants, and animals.

This is vital for the achievement of sustainability in relation to provision of services to the future generations. Global warming is increasing at an unexpected rate thus the need to focus on the adoption and implementation of preventing and protective measures against crucial harm to the humanity, animals, and plants under the influence of climatic changes (Filgueira-Rivera et al. 2007 p.910). Transformation of the British engineering is vital for the development of tracking devices and implementation of the accurate and strict regulations towards minimization of the influence of the global warming and climate change. Transformations of the British engineering are also vital in the achievement of sustainability through adoption and implementation of new breeds of animals and plants to withstand critical climate change.

Transformations of the British engineering are essential and critical in the achievement of diversity in relation to the realization of goals and objectives of economic growth and development. Diversity is one of the critical components of development in the modern society (Carey 2012 p.30). This relates to the need for the government and society members to focus on numerous avenues towards the achievement of the essence of economic growth and development. It is ideal to note that diversity in relation to manufacturing, production, distribution, and security of the United Kingdom is under the influence of the transformation or changes to the existing or traditional British engineering. Diversity is a vital tool in the achievement of competitive advantage thus commanding economic position across the globe. Diversity is also vital in enhancing or facilitating technological advancements to initiate and sustain current and future developments.

Another consequence of changes in relation to the context of the British Engineering is the increase in the volume of production (Belanger 2012 p.30). This is because of the increase in the effectiveness and efficiency of the production mechanisms under the influence of the transformation of the United Kingdom engineering. This is vital for the creation of employment opportunities and transformation of the economy into a competitive entity across the globe. Increase in the levels of production in relation to effectiveness and efficiency is critical in the realization of the goals and objectives of sustainability of the current and future economies (Chen et al. 2012 p.8500).

The ambition of the government is to offer valuable and quantity products to the citizens under the influence of minimal cost of operation and distribution. Increase in the production levels within the nation is also critical in the maximization of unique and various avenues in relation to the concept of globalization. It is ideal to focus on the maximization of the opportunities in relation to expansion of distribution mechanisms across the globe with the aim of increasing average revenues and profits within the financial year. Mass production in the context of the United Kingdom under the influence of the changes to the British engineering system is vital for participation in international business (Comrie et al. 2013 p.32).

Another vital consequence of transformation of the British engineering system is the opportunity to handle current issues in relation to gender and equality. Changes in the British engineering system are essential in the empowerment of women in the modern society. This is through bridging the gap of inequality with reference to skills and inclusion of women in the previously male dominated profession. This is vital for the increase in the level of skills, expertise, and labor for the transformation of the economy towards realization of the goals and objectives of globalization (Merrilees 1983 p.1). In the traditional United Kingdom's engineering system, women never participated in the development of the society or technological advancements. This essence of inequality or discrimination is a hindrance to the achievement of the goals and objectives of rapid economic growth and development. Inclusion of women in the engineering sector or profession is a massive step towards minimization of the gap of inequality or discrimination against women within the society (Yan et al. 2010 p.410).

Transformation of the United Kingdom's engineering system is essential in the development of numerous component of engineering with the aim of facilitating economic growth and development. It is ideal for the nation to focus on the maximization of this diversity towards increase the volume of output with reference to the realization of the goals and objectives of government on economic growth and development (Moraes et al. 2013 p.525). Diversity within the engineering system of the United Kingdom continues to oversee critical developments such as quality infrastructures, technologies, and increase in the level of output. It is ideal for the nation to implement this level of diversity towards maximization of the general components of diversity thus the opportunity to achieve competitive economy across the globe. This is a massive step towards realization of the ambition of the government of the United Kingdom (Hernandez-Deckers et al. 2012 p.5230).

How have these impacted on the way British engineering has developed to tackle modern challenges like sustainability and climate change?

There are various challenges facing modern governments and societies. Some of the critical challenges of obstacles in relation to the achievement of goals and objectives of economic growth and development include global warming, climate change, and sustainability. Sustainable development focuses on the achievement of the needs of today while not compromising the needs of the future generations (Buchanan 1985 p.50). Governments focus on the improvement of the living conditions or standards through protection of the human health, conservation of the environment, utilization of the scarce resources, and implementation of competitive long-term economic goals and objectives (Zhang et al. 2012 p.3420). Sustainable development focuses on various factors. One of the essential components in relation to the achievement of sustainable development within a nation is critical integration of economic, social, and environmental priorities in the development of vibrant policies and programs. This is essential for the growth and development of the nation through focusing on the needs of the current and future generations with effectiveness and efficiency. Sustainable development also focuses on the empowerment of the systems and individuals within the society. This is essential for the realization of the goals and objectives of globalization and protection of the environment (Huang et al. 2013 p.1650).

Another critical problem facing modern nations in the process of realizing goals and objectives of economic development is climate change or global warming. This relates to the increase in the level of average global temperatures. Increased average global temperatures are responsible for the adverse consequences in relation to events such as floods, droughts, and increase in the sea levels (Seo 2012 p.850). The main or primary causes of global warming include human activities such as industrial production, burning of fossil fuels, and carbon products. This is through increasing the levels of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere thus affecting the climate change. It is ideal to focus on the adoption and implementation of various protective and preventing measures in relation to addressing the aspect of global warming and climate changes in the modern society (Ocal et al. 2011 p.220).

In handling these issues, the new British engineering is playing a critical role in enhancing rapid economic development and growth in the context of the United Kingdom. It is critical to focus on the achievement of sustainable development and minimization of the influence of global warming on the development and growth of the economy. One of the essential ways of minimizing challenges in relation to the concept of sustainable development is the adoption and implementation of policies regarding conservation of the environment. Environment is an essential component in the realization of the goals and objectives of the current and future generations. This is through initiating and enhancing economic growth in the modern societies thus facilitating development of the human beings with reference to improvement of the health conditions (Lehmann et al. 2010 p.2220).

In designing new products or technologies, it is essential to note that the changes in the British engineering focuses on the conversation of the environment as the main component towards the achievement sustainable development. It is also essential to note that engineers in the context of the United Kingdom adopt and implement various technologies and programs in accordance with the policies and regulations with reference to the environment. This ensures the achievement of the needs of the current generation without compromising the needs of the future generation thus the concept of sustainable development (Vacanti 2012 p.452).

Changes in the British engineering system focus on the achievement of mass production thus realization of the goals and objectives of rapid growth and development in relation to the economy. Mass production is an essential component in the realization of the goals of sustainable development through initiation and facilitation of the needs and preferences of the current generation without compromising requirements of the future generations (Weart 2011 p.45). Mass production is also vital in increasing business transactions of business commodities hence the opportunity to create employment opportunities. Increase in the level of production is critical in the maximization of the opportunities with reference to the concept of globalization. International business transaction is vital in the achievement of sustainable development because of the increase in the volume of revenues and profits.

These financial resources are applicable in the enhancement of the living condition of the citizens through improvement infrastructures and projects. The role of engineers in the achievement of mass production in the context of the United Kingdom is adoption and development of effective and efficient tools essential in the production of goods and services. This is vital for the minimization of the cost of production while increasing the volume of products and services thus facilitating globalization goals and objectives (Kvaloy et al. 2012 p.20).

Another component of sustainable development is the realization of maximum utilization of the scarce resources. Full utilization of the scarce resources is an essential component in the realization of the goals and objectives of rapid economic growth and development. Effectiveness and efficiency of the tools or technologies are vital in the realization of the goals and objectives of sustainable development. This is through maximum utilization of the existing capacity and scarce resources in enhancing performance of the economy. This is also critical in the creation of employment opportunities and minimization of waste in the production process. It is also ideal to focus on the improvement of effectiveness and efficiency of the tools or technologies for the improvement of the production process and mechanisms (Diamond et al. 2012 p.450).

Transformation of the British engineering system is essential in the realization of the goals and objectives of development in relation to achievement of empowerment of individuals to participate in the enhancement of their living conditions. This is through inclusion of women into the engineering profession thus the opportunity to contribute towards the development of the economy. Minimization of the discrimination levels within the community is one of the components of sustainable developments hence the opportunity for the engineers to implement their expertise in the creation of employment for the citizens (Kang et al. p.8390).

Transformations of the United Kingdom's engineering system is vital in the effective and efficient management of global warming or climate changes affecting the living conditions of individuals within the society. One of the essential ways of the elimination or minimization of this challenge under the influence of engineering is the development of new power sources such as wind. This action aims at minimizing the level of carbon dioxide or greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Some of the rapid development in the context of the United Kingdom with reference to the transformation of the engineering system is adoption of nuclear power and water falls as source of power for the performance of the industries. This approach focuses on the conservation of the environment through elimination or minimization of the levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere (Franchito et al. 2011 p.2030).

New engineering systems in the United Kingdom also focus on the adoption and implementation of accurate measures in relation to monitoring and managing solar radiation effectively and efficiently. One of the essential developments of the engineering system in the United Kingdom is the development of products for elimination of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. This is under the influence of the geo-engineering thus the opportunity to enhance safety of the environment. Safety of the environment is a critical component in the achievement of rapid economic growth and development in the context of the United Kingdom and the entire globe. Engineering focuses on the neutralization of the output or waste of the industrial production with the aim of eliminating or minimizing air and water pollution. These attempts by engineering in the United Kingdom are vital in enhancing health conditions of the citizens (Yang et al. 2012 p.2045).

Another critical outcome of global warming and climate change in the modern society is threat to food security. This is because of the increase in cases of drought under the influence of high average global temperatures thus minimization of the productivity levels. Biomedical technology is one of the main contributions of the British Engineering system aiming to address medical issues and food security (Rahman et al. 2012 p.880). The focus is on the adoption and implementation drought resistance crops and animals thus an opportunity to address food insecurity in the context of the United Kingdom and other aspects of the globe. This has led to increase in food production thus achievement of sustainable development despite the essence of global warming or climate change (Dragan 2012 p.549).

How and why contemporary engineering in Britain has developed in the way it did

The modern world is becoming a place in which the population of human beings (more than six billion) is becoming overcrowded, more connected, more polluting, more consuming, and less diverse in comparison to the traditional setting. A growing trend relates to the alteration of the earth's natural systems by human beings at all scales (Power et al. 2011 p. 1750). The main challenge affecting the current system or engineers is how to satisfy the needs and preferences of the current population while preserving the essential components of the ecosystem and biological aspects. It is also essential to focus on the provision of basic needs in the form of water, sanitation, health, nutrition, safety, and adequate employment for the massive global population. These are the commitments in relation to the millennium development goals by the United Nations General Assembly in 2000. The engineering system in the United Kingdom had to respond to the achievement of these development goals thus the need to transform and restructure diversity of the engineering. This aims at enhancing the achievement of the development goals and objectives as underlined by the United Nations through its General Assembly (Stelian et al. 2012 p.825).

The diversity and alteration of the engineering system in the United Kingdom focus on meeting the needs and preferences of the population, which is projected to increase by approximately two billion in the next two decades. Population growth in the context of the United Kingdom is essential in the creation of unprecedented demands for land, food, transportation, materials, earth moving, waste disposal, infrastructure, healthcare, environmental conservation, and telecommunication. The role of the modern engineers in the context of the United Kingdom must focus on the fulfillment of the above needs in relation to increase in demand under the influence of the increased population growth. The role of engineers must range from the local communities to the urban areas with the aim of delivering adequate improvement to the living conditions of the citizens. The emergence of the new urban areas is a threat to the prosperity and stability of the globe. In the modern society, it is estimated that about 2 billion people live in city slum. It is also essential to note that urban areas experience about 25% of extreme poverty (Kardos 2012 p.105).

The alteration or development of the British engineering system focuses on the provision of effective solution to the problems facing the modern planet. The engineering profession in the United Kingdom must focus on the development of new mission and mindset in order to curb these problems facing the current planet. The main aims of these transformations of the engineering system in the United Kingdom include contribution of a more sustainable, stable, and equitable world. It is vital to note that sustainable development is one of the missions of the engineering system. In order to achieve sustainable development, engineering profession in the United Kingdom must adopt and implement different attitude in relation to cultural and cultural systems thus effective and efficient interactions between engineering disciplines and nontechnical fields (Funaru, et al. 2012 p. 55).

In the traditional concept, the engineering practice was based on the theory or paradigm in relation to controlling nature in comparison to cooperating with nature. In the control-of-nature theory, it is essential to note that humans and natural world are divided. This is an indication that human beings adopt and implement an oppositional and manipulative stance with reference to nature. Despite the reductionist perspective in relation to the view systems, the theory was vital for the realization of remarkable engineering achievements in the context of 19th and 20th century. This relates to the role of civil and environmental engineers in the improvement of living conditions with reference to the development of transportation systems, water resources, and sanitation. These developments are essential in the realization of the modern challenges and problems resulting from the rapid increase in the population of the globe. This is an indication of the realization of the achievements of implementation of engineering missions with minimal consideration of the social, economic, and political influences on the ecosystem or natural system. In the previous settings, engineers put minimal attention in relation to the minimization of the risk and scale of the unplanned or undesirable implications on the natural systems with reference to the implementation of the engineering systems (Battersby 2012 p. 30).