Hand Signature vs. Electronic Signature...?

Folk's,

I am interested in counseling opinion regarding the use of electronic signature vs. hand signature.

I am slightly uneasy about relinquishing my [hand] signature to new technology, simply on the basis that it is the 'done thing', or because it looks pretty.

Maybe I am old fashioned, but I look upon a drawing with a signature, as being finished, providing evidence of:

· the provenance of the document and,

· the intention (or will) of an individual, with regard to a particular document (in legal speak, 'it provides informed consent').

I have my team sign all drawings, calculations, test procedures, test reports, et al, to ensure they not only acknowledge the document is complete and ready for release, but also to take ownership. Their hand signature is confirmation and evidence of their 'own' work.

My company are introducing electronic signatures piecemeal, and we are getting drawn in. It would appear that there is no upper level Engineering sanction covering this aspect applied to Engineering documents; however very soon a critical mass will develop, to whereby electronic signatures become 'de rigueur'.

I feel that an electronic signature just does not 'provide informed consent', especially with the ability to move things electronically, maybe to be finished off by someone else, because the original person is off ill, etc.

The typical argument is that everyone will have a unique digital number, and it is as good as 'your' signature. My normal retort is, one machine has moved a document electronically to another machine, but without a hand signature, it does not carry 'informed consent'.

As Engineer's, we are [professionally] constrained by what I call:

'RAC' - Responsibility, Accountability and Culpability.

When things go bang, the rush to find the problem inevitably finds its way to the Engineer's desk. The departments who: accept the order... transition it through the workshop... assemble it... test and ship it, etc, etc, will all cower behind the Engineer; knowing he is the 'professional' in the firing line, not them.

What is the Engineering world's opinion... am I just old fashioned or am I justified in my stand...?