Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Ethics
• is the study of principles of right and wrong
that individuals use to make choices to guide
their behaviour
• in the Digital Age: easier than ever to integrate
and distribute information
Ethical Analysis
• Identify and describe the facts
• Define the conflict or dilemma, the values
involved
• Identify the stakeholders
• Identify the options
• Identify the consequences
Web bugs:
• Tiny graphic files embedded in e-mail messages
and Web pages
• Designed to monitor online Internet user
behaviour
• When a user views the e-mail or the page, a
message is sent to another computer without the
knowledge of the user
Spyware:
• Software downloaded onto a user’s computer –
usually without the user’s knowledge – that tracks
Web behaviour and reports that behaviour to a
third-party server
• Spyware is also used to divert customers from one
site to a preferred site
PROPERTY RIGHTS
• IT as property? easy to copy, invented by
many
• challenges: e.g. copying MP3 files
• copyright infringements: e.g. against Microsoft
• patents: in Canada can't patent software
ACCOUNTABILITY
• if software causes injury, who is liable?
• producer of software has some responsibility
• how about manager? programmer? IT head?
SYSTEM QUALITY
• data quality
• system errors
• ship it, even when not quite right (e.g. Microsoft
releases)
• problems include:
– software bugs
– hardware failures
– poor input quality
• most common source of business system failure =
data quality
QUALITY OF LIFE
• family, work and leisure
• computer crime/abuse - e.g. spam
• job losses due to technology
– redesigning business processes: middle managers,
clerical
• digital divide
• health risks: e.g. carpal tunnel syndrome
Copyright © 2007 Pearson Education Canada
Management Information Systems
Chapter 4
Social, Legal, and Ethical Issues in the Digital Firm
Spam
junk e-mail sent by an organization or
individual to a mass audience who have
expressed no interest
• laws against spamming in Europe
• serendipity desired by some
• spam filtering software
• costs very little; growing in use
Copyright © 2007 Pearson Education Canada
Management Information Systems
Chapter 4
Social, Legal, and Ethical Issues in the Digital Firm
Management Opportunities:
• Managers have the opportunity to use information
technology to create an ethical business and social
environment.
• This does not mean management actions will always
please all stakeholders, but at least management
actions should take into account the ethical
dimensions of IT-related decisions
Management Challenges:
• Understanding the moral risks of new technology
• Establishing corporate ethics policies that include
information systems issues