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Ethics in Information Technology, Sixth Edition
Ethics in Information Technology, Sixth Edition
Chapter 1
An Overview of Ethics
Self-Assessment Questions
1. c. virtues
2. c. Morals
3. False
Discussion Questions
1. What does it mean for an organization to act ethically? How can one evaluate whether this is
the case?
Students’ answers may vary. Some students may focus on the need for organizations to follow all
laws and regulations governing their industry. Others may suggest that an organization that acts
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Ethics in Information Technology, Sixth Edition
2. Identify two important life experiences that helped you define your own set of morals.
3. In ethics, a slippery slope begins when one small unethical action is rationalized by the
perpetrator as innocuous because nobody really got hurt or because everybody else does it.
This rationalization process, called moral disengagement, can lead people to slip into a
pattern of bad behavior that becomes difficult to stop. Embezzler Bernie Madoff admitted to
starting by stealing a few hundred and then a few thousand from investors. When he got
comfortable with that, it eventually ballooned into something really big—he ultimately stole
$85 billion from his investors. Can you provide an example of when you or someone you
know was tempted to succumb to the slippery slope?
Students’ answers will vary based on their personal experiences. Students may share examples
4. It is easy to say that an organization should hire, reward, and dismiss employees based on
their character as well as their knowledge and skill, but how could such a policy be
implemented?
Students’ answers may vary. Student may suggest that to better assess a job candidate’s character,
an organization could use new, more creative, screening tools in its hiring process (including a
5. The Ethics Resource Center identified five characteristics of a successful ethics program.
Suggest a sixth characteristic, and defend your choice. Which characteristic do you think is
the most important and why?
Students’ answers will vary. Students might suggest one of the following as a sixth characteristic:
• Employees are treated fairly.
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Ethics in Information Technology, Sixth Edition
6. 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? Defend your response.
The organization must have a code of ethics, and the employees must know how and to whom
7. 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.
8. Do you believe that software manufacturers should be tolerant of the practice of software
piracy in third-world countries to allow these countries an opportunity to move more
quickly into the information age? Why or why not?
Students’ responses will vary. Some students might suggest that helping to increase access to
software by people in less-developed countries is the right thing to do. Others may say that, given
9. Comment on the efforts of your employer to promote a work environment in which
employees are encouraged to act ethically.
Students’ responses will vary based on their work experiences. Students may talk about their
10. Do you believe that the senior managers and executives of an organization should be able to
escape criminal liability for the acts of a few of its employees if the organization has a strong
corporate social responsibility program focused on protecting the environment, contributing
to charitable causes, hiring and promoting women, and treating customers and suppliers
fairly? Why or why not?
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Ethics in Information Technology, Sixth Edition
Students’ answers will vary, but students should consider the following questions in making their
decision:
• What was the corporation doing to prevent and detect misconduct in the workplace?
What Would You Do?
1. Students’ responses will vary. Students may point out that no matter how strong an organization’s
policies are, it is still up to individuals to decide how they will act, and because of that,
organizations should invest more time and energy in understanding the character of people before
2. Students’ responses will vary. Some of them may say that before deciding they would like to
know how the 3 percent increase in salary is going to be financed. They may want to find out
3. Students’ responses will vary. At the very least, students should recognize that a performance
review should be accurate. If their friend is not a dependable worker, sooner or later others will
4. Students’ responses will vary. It is wrong to lie on a résumé, regardless of how difficult it is for a
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student to get a job. Rather than lying on a résumé, students might suggest trying to schedule
5. Students’ responses will vary. Students might point out that some companies underpay their
employees while setting work and travel expectations that require employees to spend
Cases
Case 1: VW Cheats on Emissions Testing
1. Students’ answers may vary. Some students may agree with this explanation for the emission
scandal based on experiences they have had working with other students or colleagues who were
particularly competitive and who were willing to bend or break rules in order to be successful.
Other students may point out that while many of the VW engineers may have been “promotion–
2. Students’ answers may vary, but might include suggestions such as overhauling the employee
review and compensation process so that unethical behavior is penalized rather than rewarded;
3. Students’ answers may vary depending on their research. Some students might note that Bosch
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Ethics in Information Technology, Sixth Edition
likely had some understanding of how its engine control unit was being used at VW, and,
Case 2: Toshiba Accounting Scandal
1. Students’ responses may vary. Students in favor of a full-scale investigation of workers and
managers at all levels within Toshiba may point out that only by weeding out employees who
acted unethically and illegally can the company ensure that no similar scandals will occur in the
2. Students’ responses may vary. Students might suggest that the use of outside panels could be
useful if the panels were given the power to compel employees to cooperate with an investigation
3. Students’ responses may vary. Some students may do research to help them understand which
countries are considered to be role models in this area and what specific laws and regulations