My years of experience and observations confirm your hypothesis. Furthermore, managements don't take kindly to messengers (i.e. engineers) who deliver negative

My years of experience and observations confirm your hypothesis. Furthermore, managements don't take kindly to messengers (i.e. engineers) who deliver negative news, viewpoints. What I have seen is that over time, such companies leak competent staff at all levels. The Yes-persons outnumber those with critical thinking. The critical thinkers eventually give up and/or leave.