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Running head: THE STUDY OF ETHICS IN INFORMATION SYSTEMS

The Study of Ethics in Information Systems

Annelise Intemann

Appalachian State University

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THE STUDY OF ETHICS IN INFORMATION SYSTEMS
Abstract

A little-known aspect in Information Systems is the study of ethics. Whether this be for the

algorithm in self-driving cars or the ethical power in government agencies like the CIA, ethics in

Information Systems and even the business world is heavily researched and discussed among

scholars. This essay will compare and contrast two different media forms that address the issue

of ethics.
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THE STUDY OF ETHICS IN INFORMATION SYSTEMS

The Study of Ethics in Information Systems

Introduction

Ethics is a well studied topic across many subjects but in Information Systems its heavily

researched and considered. This essay will compare the article “From computer ethics to

responsible research and innovation in ICT” written by Stahl B. C, Eden, G., Jirotka, M., and

Coeckelbergh, M and the TedTalk video “Why do Ethics matter” by Roy S. Stahl B has a

master’s in Philosophy and economics along with being the director of the center of computing

and social responsibility. Roy S is the former Chief of Compliance of Europe and has a MSc in

economic history. Both are credible in their field with plenty of field experience however, both

have very different ways they present their information on ethics.

Comparison: Emotion

Emotion is one of the largest differences between these two pieces. The video “Why do

Ethics matter” is spoken from Roy S personal experiences. They discuss their job and what it

means to be in the field of compliance. Roy even specifically mentions that they “will be talking

about experiences they or their friends have, that have jobs or roles similar” to theirs (Roy,

2017). Roy also goes for the shock factor by stating that “75 million are payed to settle

harassment cases, 20 million payed to women and 55 million to the men that harassed them”

(Roy, 2017). This appeals to emotion by eliciting strong opinion in the audience. Roy also goes

to ask the audience if they “would work for a business that does things in nefarious ways” (Roy,

2017), making the audience think about their decisions and again emit an emotional response.
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THE STUDY OF ETHICS IN INFORMATION SYSTEMS
All of this is appealing to emotion locally unlike the article “From computer ethics to responsible

research and innovation in ICT” by Stahl B. C and others, goes to elicit emotion in a bigger

picture. Stahl’s purpose to the article is to establish responsible research and innovation, RRI as a

research discourse of Information Systems. While Stahl is trying to persuade the audience that

RRI is a discourse of Information Systems they raise awareness of ethics in society “Through the

lens of RRI, IS researchers may obtain a better understanding of the grand challenges that

humanity and most societies face (Stahl B. C, Eden, G., Jirotka, M., and Coeckelbergh, M,

2014). Stahl mentions ethics in a grand scale using words like humanity, challenges and society

to elicit emotion in the audience at the same time making his point that “Information Systems

play a key role in addressing the challenges of modern societies” (Stahl B. C, Eden, G., Jirotka,

M., and Coeckelbergh, M, 2014). The emotion in both articles’ share comparing and contrasting

purposes.

Comparison: Purpose

Stahl’s purpose is to raise awareness in the information systems field about the

importance of ethics and for the articles purpose to be a reference discourse to the field. While

Stahl’s article is more specific to Information Systems, Roy’s video is talks about how important

ethics is specifically to business and how to integrate ethics and compliance into business. These

two topics may not seem like they are similar in any way, but they share the topic of ethics.

Ethics is used heavily in research topics in the Information Systems field and Stahl even

mentions this saying that “Information Systems as a field of academic research and business

practice has long considered the importance of ethical considerations” (Stahl B. C, Eden, G.,

Jirotka, M., and Coeckelbergh, M, 2014). Roy’s video is all about ethics as its mentioned in the
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THE STUDY OF ETHICS IN INFORMATION SYSTEMS
title “Why do Ethics matter?”. Roy goes to discuss ethics in compliance and how misused ethics

is in the business setting.

Comparison: Audience

With ethics being the means of middle ground or similarities between these two media

forms, people researching ethics would be interested in both. However, Stahl’s article is a

scholarly article with 135 resources and a reading grade level of 15. Along with the specific topic

of RRI becoming a resource discourse in Information Systems, the audience would be people

like educators, scholars involved in ethic related research, and students in the Information

Systems field. Roy’s TedTalk video on YouTube is meant for a general audience and possibly

students as it has no resources and a reading grade level of around 9. With it being on YouTube

instead of a scientific website, it also indicates a larger viewing platform and a less professional

setting.

Conclusion

All in all, both article and video are presented by qualified individuals and while they are

speaking about two different topics their goal of informing their audience about ethics is the

same. The article was found to be more professional and specific while the video was more

general and personal. This being said Stahl goes to present their information in context to the

bigger picture and Roy talks about their experience in the work force and the individual

experience of working in compliance. Both individuals present information that shows the

audience just how important ethics is to the business world.

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THE STUDY OF ETHICS IN INFORMATION SYSTEMS

References

Stahl, B. C., Eden, G., Jirotka, M., & Coeckelbergh, M. (2014). From computer ethics to

responsible research and innovation in ICT. The transition of reference discourses

informing ethics-related research in information systems. Information & Management,

51, 810–818. Retrieved from https://doi-

org.proxy006.nclive.org/10.1016/j.im.2014.01.001

Roy, S. (2017, June 23). Why do ethics matter?. Retrieved October 16, 2018. Retrieved from

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yesE4mcv4CM
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Focus (25 points)

2 to 5 obvious bases of comparison

Organization (20 points)

- Order makes sense
- Bridge sentences between paragraphs

Analysis/Evidence (50 points)

- Covered for both sources
- Evidence for all bases of comparison
- Reasons for similarities/differences discussed

APA (15 points)

- Correct References page
- Correct use of signal phrase/in-text citations
- Correct APA format—abstract, headings, etc.

SWE (10 points)

- Written in third person
- Spelling
- Sentences—agreement, commas, singular/plural, fragments, run-ons, verb tense
- Word choice
Total:
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