Ethics in Information Technology, Fifth Edition 9781285197159
Chapter 1
An Overview of Ethics
Self-Assessment Questions
Discussion Questions
1. There are many ethical issues about which people hold very strong opinions—abortion, gun
control, and the death penalty, to name a few. If you were a team member on a project with
someone whom you knew held an opinion different from yours on one of these issues, how
would it affect your ability to work effectively with this person?
2. Identify two important life experiences that helped you define your own personal code of
ethics.
3. Create a list of 5 to 10 guidelines for ensuring a successful brainstorming session to identify
potential solutions to a problem.
4. Do you believe an organization should be able to escape criminal liability for the acts of its
employees if it has acted as a responsible corporate citizen, making strong efforts to prevent
and detect misconduct in the workplace? Why or why not?
Students’ answers will vary, but students should consider the following questions in making their
decision:
5. The Ethics Resource Center identified five characteristics of a successful ethics program.
Suggest a sixth characteristic, and defend your choice.
Students’ answers will vary. Possible answers might include the following:
Employees are treated fairly.
6. Identify three CSR goals that would be appropriate for a large, multinational IT consulting
firm. Create three such goals for a small, local IT consulting firm.
Students’ answers will vary. Some of them may say that IT consulting firms, both large and small,
should have the following goals:
Safe-guarding the environment
7. It is a common practice for managers to hold people accountable to meet “stretch” goals,
quotas, and budgets. How can this be done in a way that does not encourage unethical
behavior on the part of employees?
Employees must have a knowledgeable resource with whom they can discuss perceived unethical
8. Describe a hypothetical situation in which the action you would take is not legal, but it is
ethical. Describe a hypothetical situation where the action you would take is legal, but not
ethical.
9. Hypothesis: It is easier to establish an ethical work environment in a nonprofit organization
than in a for-profit organization. Provide three facts or opinions that support this
hypothesis. Provide three facts or opinions that refute the hypothesis.
10. This chapter discusses four approaches to dealing with moral issues. Which approach is
closest to your way of analyzing moral issues? Now that you are aware of different
approaches, do you think you might modify your approach to include other perspectives?
Explain why or why not.
11. It can be difficult for a large organization to act ethically consistently across all facets of its
business. Identify a recent example of a usually ethical company acting in an unethical
manner.
12. Should software piracy within the boundaries of third-world countries be tolerated to allow
these countries an opportunity to move more quickly into the information age? Why or why
not?
13. Without revealing the name of your employer, comment on the efforts of your employer to
promote a work environment in which employees are encouraged to act ethically.
14. Do you think that ethics training can really be effective in changing the behavior of
employees? Why or why not?
Students’ responses will vary. Some of them may say that ethics training not only makes employ–
ees more aware of a company’s code of ethics and how to apply it, but also demonstrates that the
What Would You Do?
1. Students’ responses will vary. Some of them may say that pressurizing them to resolicit would be
2. Students’ responses will vary. Some of them may say that before taking the call they would like
3. Students’ responses will vary. They should remember that it is important to treat others as they
would like to be treated. Also, it is much more effective to properly motivate a strong but
unhappy worker, than it is to fire him or her and hire and train a new employee.
Students should consider that Sophia’s e-mail to the other company was actually a desperate
attempt to tell them how unhappy she is. They should take a few moments to reflect on previous
discussions with her to recognize any other attempts that were missed at the time.
4. Students’ responses will vary. At the very least, students’ performance review should be accurate.
5. Students’ responses will vary. Students might have talked too much about work activities while
assuming it was safe to do so. This may have raised potential issues in the areas of failure to
6. Students’ responses will vary. It is wrong to lie on their resume, regardless of how difficult it is
for students to get a job. If they lack job experience, they should talk to potential employers and
ask if they can apply for an internship position, which would beef up their resume. Also, they
7. Students’ responses will vary. Padding the expense report would be considered unethical and
Cases
Case 1: IBM–A Front-Runner in Sustainability
1. In an effort to take the lead in corporate responsibility, IBM established one of the first
environmental programs of its kind in 1971. IBM must have realized that its component
2. IBM worked to reduce its use of ozone-depleting chemicals, such as chlorofluorocarbons, and in
1989, IBM led the IT world in its reduction of such chemicals. Its programs now seek to reduce
energy use, conserve water resources, create energy efficient products, spearhead safety in the use
of nanotechnology, and combat climate change. IBM has also focused on the use of
3. The practice of meeting sustainability standards helps IBM maintain market share because the
European Union, the United States, and other countries often give preference in awarding
Case 2: Ethical and Business Setbacks for Nokia
1. Students’ responses will vary. Some of them may find the act of moving Nokia’s facilities (from
2. Students’ responses will vary. Customers in Europe might have thought of the number of jobs
3. Students’ responses will vary. Some of the students may be of the opinion that it is somewhat
difficult to ensure ethical decisions making in a business that is organized as a “network of
Case 3: Is there a Place for Ethics in IT?
1. Students’ responses will vary; however, each scenario should include the following:
Virtue Ethics Approach: Following moral standards, the employees should be informed of the
possibility of lay offs, allowing them the chance to research other job options. Employees should
also be offered a source of motivation to finish the CRM System and a desire to stay with the
company.
Second scenario: Informing the boss would be the most moral action.
2. Students’ responses will vary. In implementing ethical solutions, such as informing the employees
of the possibility of lay offs, the short term losses could include:
A lack of motivation for the employees to continue their diligent work
3. Students’ responses may vary. However, most of them will say that there should be a balance of
4. Students’ responses may vary. In all probability, Schrage was pointing out that the number one