Critical Thinking Case Study: Home Heating
Imagine that you are on the board of directors for a startup technology-based energy company. The company has just developed a fantastic new home heating technology that has the potential to save homeowners considerable money off their heating bills and provide large profits to the company along with a sizeable bonus for each of the board members.
This technology makes use of the home envelope to disperse the heat throughout the home. It then uses passive renewable/solar technology similar to a Trombe wall to generate the heat.
Before the product can be sold however, a majority of the board members must give their approval. Three of the seven board members have already signed off on the product. Three of the remaining board members have some reservations and concerns about the product because of a report from one of the development engineers expressing safety (in particular fire/smoke) concerns about the products performance under certain conditions. It has been noted as well that there may be potential issues with soundness of structure, building code requirements, maintenance, and expense.
It looks like your vote is the tie breaker in the approval process. You have been contacted by several eS*?tives of the company in an attempt to assure you that the product has been tested extensively under most conditions. You have 48 hours to make a decision.
Answer the following questions:
1. What do you consider to be key issues in this case? Your score will be based on your critical thinking and assessment skills in stating all relevant issues. Be as comprehensive as possible.
2. Research similar technologies or practices and, using this information, create a comprehensive investigative analysis.
3. Discuss the influence of context and assumptions in making a decision regarding this issue.
4. State your own position, including the complexities of the issue and your own perspective.
5. If your decision from #4 is implemented, what would be potential consequences and implications? What if the opposing view is selected?