On average, executive priorities are different from non-executives.
If one hires a plane engineer, one’s filter will be: person who is capable and motivated to engineer a plane.
If one hires an executive, return on investment is the metric in focus.
So it is safe to say that, on average, non-executives will care slightly more about the safety of the plane. (please notice words “on average” and “slightly”).
Since we are spitballing without any statistics, I could take the position that the underpaid (and presumably empty bellied) engineer has little motivation to do excellent work or, indeed, any work at all. The executive needs to focus on producing good products since they sell better.
But I won't take that position since making up hypothetical arguments isn't a good use of anybody's time.
Well if we're spitballing, I think a business savvy executive would see a great opportunity cashing in on the good name Boeing built when it was run by engineers. The product will continue to sell for years even as they cut costs, cut corners, and extract as much wealth out of the organization as they can.
Said another way, vampires sucking out the blood and leaving an exsanguinated corpse behind.
Worth noticing - most of the decisions in the world are made without statistics gathered by independent auditors, but by using the information and experience that’s available. (My point here: its correct to reject idea, because you have statistics, but dismissing a line of thinking because of lack of statistics is the best kind of correct - “technically correct”)
> the underpaid (and presumably empty bellied) engineer has little motivation
Usually, salary budget is controlled by executives..
In case Boeing accidentally left a wrench inside a plane, the last person touching it was technician (and firing possibly is in order), but responsibility for deaths falls on organisation and those who control and shape it.
I honestly think (and am annoyed somewhat) that asking for statistics/study (popular on HN), or citation (even more popular on wikipedia), became convenient way to shut down discussion or dismiss opposing viewpoint.
Hypothetical example with a bit of exaggeration that illustrates what I observe frequently: personA:“people go to work in the morning”, personB: “study/citation needed”
Your example would be a great one for a statistic. The one I was replying to created a whole straw man argument using words such as "will be" and "on average" implying knowledge.
Using phrases such as "I honestly think" are to engage in discourse as it invites discussion rather than presenting opinion as fact and leading to a request to back it up. The whole thread created a straw man caricature like out of the 1920's adding no value to the discussion.
On average, executive priorities are different from non-executives.
If one hires a plane engineer, one’s filter will be: person who is capable and motivated to engineer a plane.
If one hires an executive, return on investment is the metric in focus.
So it is safe to say that, on average, non-executives will care slightly more about the safety of the plane. (please notice words “on average” and “slightly”).