CHAPTER 10: ETHICS OF IT ORGANIZATIONS
1. The United States has several federal laws prohibiting the export of toxic waste.
a. True
b. False
2. According to the Computing Research Association, the number of undergraduate degrees awarded in computer
science at doctoral-granting computer science departments has declined dramatically from 2004 to 2009.
a. True
b. False
3. After a worker’s H-1B visa expires, the foreign worker must remain outside the United States for six years before
another H-1B will be approved.
a. True
b. False
4. In a coemployment relationship, two employers have actual or potential legal rights and duties with respect to the
same employee or group of employees.
a. True
b. False
5. The cost advantage of offshore outsourcing to India is continuing to increase.
a. True
b. False
6. Contingent workers, H-1B workers, and outsourced offshore workers are examples of nontraditional workers.
a. True
b. False
employers.
a. True
b. False
Chapter 10: Ethics of IT Organizations
8. Electronics manufacturing employees and suppliers at all steps along the supply chain and manufacturing process are
at risk of unhealthy exposure to potentially harmful materials.
a. True
b. False
9. A person can work for a U.S. employer as an H-1B employee for a maximum continuous period of ten years.
a. True
b. False
a. True
b. False
11. Depending on how closely workers are supervised and how the job is structured, contingent workers may be viewed
as permanent employees by the Internal Revenue Service, the Labor Department, or a state’s workers’
compensation and employment agencies.
a. True
b. False
12. Contingent work is a job situation in which an individual has an implicit contract for long-term employment.
a. True
b. False
13. The deciding factor in whether workers are considered contractors is the agreement signed by the workers, not the
degree of control the company exercises over them.
a. True
b. False
14. When an organization decides to use contingent workers for a project, it is making a trade-off between completing a
single project quickly and cheaply versus developing people within its own organization.
a. True
b. False
Chapter 10: Ethics of IT Organizations
15. If a whistle-blower wants to remain unknown, the safest course of action is to leak information anonymously to the
press.
a. True
b. False
16. A key requirement for using H-1B workers is that employers must pay H-1B workers the prevailing wage for the
work being performed.
a. True
b. False
17. Unethical companies cannot use H-1B visas to exploit the average salary requirements for H-1B workers.
a. True
b. False
18. There is no evidence that the hiring of H-1B workers has affected the salaries of U.S. IT workers.
a. True
b. False
19. If a particular project requires only temporary help, and the workers will not be needed for future projects, the use of
contingent workers is a poor approach.
a. True
b. False
20. The Electronic Industry Citizenship Coalition established a system that enables purchasers to evaluate, compare, and
select electronic products based on a total of 51 environmental criteria.
a. True
b. False
21. Companies can use the Statement on Auditing Standards No. 70, Service Organizations to ensure that company data
is protected in an outsourcing arrangement.
a. True
b. False
Chapter 10: Ethics of IT Organizations
22. A qui tam plaintiff can receive between 15 and 30 percent of the total recovery from the defendant, depending on
how helpful the person was to the success of the case.
a. True
b. False
23. The U.S. Congress has approved the granting of an unlimited number of H-1B visas.
a. True
b. False
24. Violators of the False Claims Act are liable for the exact dollar amount for which the government was defrauded.
a. True
b. False
25. The EICC has established a code of conduct that defines performance, compliance, auditing, and reporting guidelines
across five areas of social responsibility.
a. True
b. False
26. Temporary employees must be treated like official employees of the company and are eligible for vacation, sick pay,
and retirement benefits.
a. True
b. False
27. To be classified as a truly green PC, the PC must meet other criteria than simply use less electricity to run than the
standard computer.
a. True
b. False
28. The European Union’s Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive restricts the use of many hazardous materials
in computer manufacturing.
a. True
b. False
Chapter 10: Ethics of IT Organizations
29. The EICC was established to promote a common code of conduct for the electronics and ICT industry.
a. True
b. False
30. Outsourcing is a short-term business arrangement in which a company contracts for services with an overseas
organization that has expertise in providing a specific function.
a. True
b. False
31. The EICC has developed a(n) for member organizations in which areas of improvement are assessed by
certified, third-party firms.
a. application b. governing body
c. audit program d. mandate
32. According to A.T. Kearney, the most attractive offshoring destination is .
a. China b. Egypt
c. Mexico d. India
33. The requires manufacturers to use at least 65 percent reusable or recyclable components and reduce or
eliminate toxic material in their packaging.
a. Electronic Industry Citizenship Coalition Directive b. Greenpeace Environmental Restriction of Hazardous
Substances
c. European Union‘s Restriction of Hazardous
Substances Directive d. Electronic Product and Environmental Hazards
Restriction Directive
34. A(n) visa is a temporary work visa granted by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services for people who
work in specialty occupations.
a. H-1B b. L-1
c. B–1 d. B–2
Chapter 10: Ethics of IT Organizations
35. After a worker’s H-1B visa expires, the foreigner must .
a. return to school to get an advanced degree before applying for another H-1B visa
b. apply to become a U.S. citizen
c. remain outside the United States for one year before another H-1B petition will be approved
d. never again apply for an H-1B visa
36. Which of these statements about contingent workers is true?
a. They typically work as a separate, independent group of workers and move from project to project working
for the same firm.
b. They are often paid a lower hourly wage than full-time employees doing equivalent work.
c. They are eligible for most company benefits such as vacation, sick pay, and medical insurance.
d. They have neither an explicit nor an implicit contract for continuing employment.
37. Since contingent workers are already specialists in a particular task, the hiring firm does not customarily incur
_____.
a. relocation expenses b. start-up costs
c. training costs d. travel expenses
38. The in Egypt reduced the attractiveness of that country as a source of IT outsourcing.
a. spike in oil prices b. political unrest
c. limited number of resources d. lack of education
39. The lawsuit dramatically illustrated the cost of misclassifying employees and violating laws that cover
compensation, taxes, unemployment insurance, and overtime.
a. McClain v. Hewlett-Packard b. Vizcaino v. Microsoft
c. Wainwright v. IBM d. Brown et al v. Oracle
40. Which of the following statements is true about the Bureau of Labor Statistics forecast for employment between
2010 and 2020?
a. Business is facing a long-term excess of trained and experienced IT workers.
b. Organizations using IT products and services are concerned about the excess of U.S. workers available to fill IT
related positions.
c. 750,000 new jobs are expected to be added to IT related positions.
d. IT firms are more likely to turn to traditional sources than nontraditional sources to find IT workers.
Chapter 10: Ethics of IT Organizations
41. The key lesson from Vizcaino v. Microsoft is that even if contractors sign an agreement indicating that they are
contractors and not employees, the deciding factor about whether or not they are viewed as employees is not the
agreement but .
a. how many hours per week they are asked to work
b. who oversees their work
c. the degree of control the company exercises over the employees
d. who performs their performance appraisal
42. A disadvantage of using contingent workers is that they .
a. may pass on information about corporate processes and strategies to subsequent clients who could be
competitors
b. may attempt to form a union
c. can demand payment for health insurance and retirement benefits
d. create the need to hire new employees when staffing needs increase
43. An H-1B worker can work for a U.S. employer for a maximum continuous period of years.
a. two b. four
c. six d. eight
44. The United States has federal law(s) protecting against the export of toxic waste.
a. no b. just one
c. two d. several
45. When considering the use of H-1B workers, companies should take into account that even highly skilled
and experienced H-1B workers may require help with .
a. finding adequate housing b. their English
c. obtaining a driver’s license d. dealing with financial institutions
46. A situation in which two employers have actual or potential legal rights and duties with respect to the same
employee or group of employees is called .
a. contingent employment b. employee leasing
c. a coemployment relationship d. outsourcing
Chapter 10: Ethics of IT Organizations
47. The of the False Claims Act allows a private citizen to file a suit in the name of the U.S. government,
charging fraud by government contractors and other entities who receive or use government funds.
a. qui tam provision b. Affordable Care Act
c. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act d. roving wiretap provision
48. is a form of outsourcing in which services are provided by an organization whose employees are in a foreign
country.
a. Consulting b. Employee leasing
c. Offshore outsourcing d. Employing H-1B workers
49. An H-1B visa is a temporary visa granted for people who .
a. only work in the IT field
b. were educated outside the U.S. and wish to work in the U.S.
c. work in specialty occupations that require at least a four-year bachelor’s degree
d. were born and educated outside the U.S. but have relatives living in the U.S.
50. The cost advantage for offshore outsourcing to India used to be 6:1 or more. It is estimated that once this advantage
shrinks to or less, cost savings would no longer be an incentive for U.S. offshore outsourcing to India.
a. 4.5:1 b. 3.0:1
c. 2.0:1 d. 1.5:1
51. The is an internationally recognized standard that companies can use to ensure that company data is
protected in an outsourcing arrangement.
a. CMMI b. Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
c. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act d. Statement on Auditing Standards No. 70
52. Before a company can apply for an H-1B visa worker, it must file .
a. a statement of intent to hire a foreign worker
b. a petition to hire an H-1B worker
c. a Labor Condition Application
d. a visa request with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Chapter 10: Ethics of IT Organizations
53. Which of the following is a true statement about the number of declared undergraduate computer science majors at
doctoral-granting computer science departments?
a. There was an increase in enrollment in spite of the forecast for a decreased number of workers in this field.
b. There was a 50% decline in degrees awarded between 2004 and 2009.
c. There has been a steady decline in enrollment for the past twelve years.
d. The level of enrollment has remained about the same for the past ten years.
54. Companies applying for H-1B visas must offer a wage that is not less than the average salary for the
occupation.
a. 5% b. 10%
c. 15% d. 20%
55. One potential disadvantage of using contingent workers is that .
a. the costs for their health care, paid time off, and contributions to a retirement plan can be considerable
b. the company may have to adjust the number of contingent workers that it uses to meet business needs
c. there can be substantial training expenses
d. they may not feel a strong connection to the company for which they are working
56. Congress has set the number of H-1B visas to be granted at per year each year since 2004 with another
20,000 visas available for only foreign graduates of U.S. universities with advanced degrees.
a. 55,400 b. 30,000
c. 71,000 d. 65,000
57. Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) is a system that enables purchasers to evaluate,
compare, and select electronic products based on a total of 51 criteria.
a. economic b. performance
c. environmental d. ethical
58. The company with the highest 2010 rating by Greenpeace based on its policies on toxic chemicals, recycling, and
climate change was .
a. Apple b. Dell
c. Hewlett Packard d. Wipro
Chapter 10: Ethics of IT Organizations
59. The was established to promote a common code of conduct for the electronics and ICT industry.
a. Electronic Industry Citizenship Coalition b. European Union’s Restriction of Hazardous
Substances
c. Electronic Produce Environmental Assessment
Tool
d. Consumer Electronics Association
60. The False Claims Act was enacted during .
a. the U.S. Civil War b. World War I
c. World War II d. the Vietnam War
61. Organizations often find that it can take years of ongoing effort and a large up–front investment to develop a good
with an offshore outsourcing firm.
62. A firm is likely to use contingent IT workers if it experiences pronounced fluctuations in its needs.
63. The False Claims Act provides strong protection.
64. Personal computers are composed of many different materials known to be potentially harmful to humans and the
environment. These materials include beryllium, cadmium, lead, mercury, selenium, polyvinyl chloride, and .
65. and language differences can cause misunderstandings among project members in different countries.
66. Violators of the False Claims Act are liable for times the dollar amount for which the government was
defrauded.
67. As more businesses move their key processes offshore, U.S. IT service providers are forced to in order to
compete.
Chapter 10: Ethics of IT Organizations
68. Offshore outsourcing has the potential to dramatically development efforts and enable workers to make
progress on the project around the clock.
69. The passed the Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive which restricts the use of many hazardous
materials in computer manufacturing.
70. Because wages in the IT field vary greatly, unethical companies can get around the .
71. An employee who identifies an illegal or unethical practice should begin to compile to establish wrongdoing.
72. The , also known as the Lincoln Law, was enacted to combat fraud by companies that sold supplies to the
Union Army.
73. is the most common charge in qui tam cases.
74. is a system that enables purchasers to evaluate, compare, and select electronic products based on a total of
51 environmental criteria.
75. The EICC has established a code of conduct that defines performance, compliance, auditing, and reporting guidelines
across five areas of social responsibility: labor, health and safety, environment, management system, and .
76. Firms that outsource must take precautions to protect , regardless of where it is stored or processed or who
handles it.
77. Successful outsourcing projects require day–to–day interaction between software development and business teams,
so it is essential for the hiring company to take a(n) approach to project management.
78. Offshore outsourcing is a form of outsourcing in which the services are provided by an organization whose .
Chapter 10: Ethics of IT Organizations
79. The environmental activist organization issues a quarterly ranking of the top manufacturers of personal
computers, mobile phones, TVs, and game consoles according to the manufacturers’ polices on toxic chemicals,
recycling, and climate change.
80. Many states have created laws that prevent workers from being fired because of an employee’s participation in
activities including the filing of a qui tam lawsuit under the provisions of the False Claims Act.
81. The qui tam provision of the allows a private citizen to file a suit in the name of the U.S. government,
charging fraud by government contractors and other entities who receive or use government funds.
82. Most ethical companies make hiring decisions based on how well an applicant fulfills the .
83. To qualify as a truly “green computer”, the computer must use less electricity to run than the standard computer,
reduce the amount of hazardous materials used, and dramatically increase the amount of .
84. Sometimes the is not an employee but a person with special knowledge gained from a position as an auditor
or business partner.
85. The was established to promote a common code of conduct for the electronics and communications
technology industry.
Chapter 10: Ethics of IT Organizations
86. Discuss some of the considerations involved in deciding whether or not to hire contingent workers.
87. Define and briefly discuss the concept of employee leasing.
88. Briefly summarize the Bureau of Labor statistics for employment in the IT industry for the period 2010 to 2020.
89. Briefly discuss the use of hazardous material in computers and the potential risks, for manufacturing employees,
suppliers, and users.
Chapter 10: Ethics of IT Organizations
90. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of using contingent workers.