Ethical Issues of Computer Usage in Workplace from Islamic View - Time Management

Anida Salleh, Azura Awang, Norhayati Mohd Amin, Nurul Ema Sarbini

1.0 ABSTRACT

Review and identify the concept of ethics in the use of computers in terms of the

perspective of Islam. Among the issues related to the abuse of time, intellectual property,

computer crime and privacy. There are ethics in ICT described from the point of view of the

Quran and Hadith but have different aspects. In addition, it looks at how to become aware,

sensitivity and promote their work to the worker Muslims as a challenge. Some have

occurred in recent years in which the occurrence of scandal and wrongdoing use ICT to other

work. Attention to the work ethic of Islam as well as identifying the work ethic of Islam in

terms of demographic variables and differences in characteristics are also taken care of.

Relations between the Islamic work ethic innovation capabilities and performance of firms

are also seen. Some study visits to see the difference the IWE of respondents and firms. At

the end of the study, some of recommendations and measures to assist compelling the proper

use of computers in a computer at work by the muslin without prejudice to the principles of

Islam.

Keywords: - work ethics of Islam, the point of view of Islam, Privacy, and Security

2.0 INTRODUCTION

With the development and growth of advanced and high-tech computer and

communications, industries resulted in life-changing ways. Growth and the increasing

number of Muslim communities using ICT sector are also growing. Among the potential

computer in a crime and contributor, abuse has become a traditional criminal phenomenon in

a number of activities theft, forgery, and fraud. Consciously or not it has involved the

behaviour of unethical and illegal employment (Kadar, M., 2013).

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Ethics is very important because it symbolizes human behaviour in society that involves

our morals. Computer ethics is a field that involves complicated and dynamic the facts,

concepts, and values associated with a high-tech computer. It focuses on human-influenced

enumerated by use of computer technology such as email sending, processing information

and purchase software that is ethical behaviour problems.

In Islamic ethical values are emphasized in human life. He stressed adherence to the code

of ethics and moral behaviour of every aspect. In the Al-Quran has repeatedly affirmed the

moral and ethical principles. Allah said: "You are the best of which have had been raised up

for mankind; you enjoin what is right, who forbid the wrong and believe in Allah "(Qur 'and,

3: 110). The teachings of the Prophet (SAW) that includes moral and ethical values and

principles are also often emphasized. The Prophet (SAW) said: "I was sent to perfect good

character" (Sunnan Al Bayhagee: 21301) that describes perfectly the moral improvement of

individuals and society (Dr. Khaled Al-Jeraisy, 2009).

3.0 OBJECTIVES OF STUDY

The main objective in the development of this research is to study and identify issues of

computer abuse to the work ethic of Islam. In addition, this study also provides suggestions

and steps to overcome this problem.

1. To review the underlying concepts of ethics and Islamic ethics for computer usage.

2. To find out ethical issues of misusing the working time and its explanation in view of

Quran and Hadith.

3. To propose some suggestions or measure – to manage this ethical issue in Islamic

way

4.0 SCOPE OF STUDY

The approach taken in this study is practical in the field of ICT professionals and human

(Islamic workers). The main study in Islamic work ethics are: -

1. Misuse of time by using computer

2. Respondents are randomly selected

3. Respondents are Muslim employees’ age from 18-65 years old and using computer at

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work

5.0 SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY

This study was to investigate the organizational culture and commitment among

employees in terms of computer usage blaming Islamic ethics. Through this study hopes to

raise awareness and to encourage honesty must mainly to Islam itself. Positive practices in

organizational culture can improve the organization's performance and Productivity. Unless

these problems are addressed promptly it could be a model for western countries because we

are guided by the Qur'an and Sunnah, which is the main reference in religious ethics (Ahmad

Asadullah, Bello Yerima, Yusuf Aliyu, 2014). Nevertheless, this study findings will also

help organizations to manage and minimize the problem and the employees will not misuse

their working time.

6.0 LITERATURE REVIEW

This chapter covers the background knowledge that has contributed to the present

study. Problem associated with acquired ethical issues of computer usage which focus on

time management among Muslim worker in workplace from Islamic perspective are

highlighted.

Computer Ethic

Computer ethics is a guideline that can determine the correct responsive according to

situation where it was formulate to guide actions. Moor (1985) defines computer ethics as a

formulation and justification of policies for the ethical use of technology. According to

Gotterbarn (1990) computer ethics is a standard of good practices and codes of conduct for

computing professionals where it should be viewed as a branch of professional ethics.

Time Management In Islam

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Time management has been described as the use of time properly, effective and from

Islamic perspective, it must follow the Syariah. Time management is also a process which is

the employee can deliver the task with efficient and effective and meet the goal. In Surah Al

Asr Allah (swt) says “Man is in great loss except those who believe and do good deeds and

who enjoin Truth and Sabr (patience, constancy & steadfastness) Hadith Ibn Abbas narrates

that the Prophet (saw) said, “There are two blessings which many people lose: (They are)

health and free time for doing good” - Bukhari From the Quran, the Sunnah of Prophet (saw)

and the practice of the Sahabah learn how to prioritize, plan, organize and allocation of time

in the best possible way.

Time management can be derived from how to manage the time properly. From that,

need to list down target for certain year in organization such as identify goals, prioritize task ,

make time table, focus on work and also set what are going to be achieved. Find out the ways

of doing things correctly. Prayer is the best training, physical & mental to be punctual,

focused, single minded, self-disciplined & goal oriented, so pray the right way, with the right

movements, humility and concentration.

Islamic Work Ethic

Islamic Work Ethics can be defined as a set moral is from what is wrong from the

right and it will be based on the Quran. The Islamic work ethic can be categorized as

hardworking, committed, dedicated to work and avoid from unethical manners in work place.

According to Rizk (2008), Islamic Work Ethics is an orientation towards work and

approaches work as a virtual human's live. The main point to have Islamic work ethics is to

ensure the outcome of job satisfaction, commitment to the task given for the employee and to

follow the rules procedure provided by the organization.

Ethical Issues of Computer Usage

Regarding the ethical behaviour that conduct misuse of computer usage, Leonard and

Cronan (2005) examined the factors that could influence an individual’s attitude toward

ethical behaviour. They found many factors influence attitude toward ethical decisions such

as environmental factors, moral responsibility, and awareness of consequences, where it rely

on the type of ethical issue involved. Moreover, this relationship show that attitude

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influencers have shifted over time, which means organizations must occasionally re-evaluate

their employees’ ethical and change their ethics programs as attitude influencers’ change.

Thus, the organization should create awareness among employee to ensure they follow and

practice the ethical behaviour. While, based upon research conduct by Khanifar (2012) found

the most common organizational unethical and destructive behaviours are seen in Information

technology and computer field when there are no precise ethical policies in organization

which exposed employee to unethical behaviours.

Ethics has not only a social but also organizational aspect that promotes the

organization towards ethics compliance and mitigates abnormal behaviours to the minimum

level. Therefore, Kadar (2013) who studied on the ethical issues of computer usage believe

as a Muslim should obey work ethics and avoid from doing any unethical behaviour

especially during working hour when use company property such as computer. Some

organizations policies on the ethical use of technologies are too loose or not clear enough led

employee to act unethical while working. Even though the creations of technology have

good and bad effects, it may expose too many illegal and immoral activities. Consequently, it

is important to develop Islamic perspective to computer ethics in organizational because the

implementation of Islamic rules able to reduce computer abuse or misconduct. Meanwhile

Khalil and Abu-Saad (2009) whom conduct a study on identifying the relationship between

Islamic work ethic and individualism found the significant correlation between both Islamic

work ethic and individualism, where it led them to believe religious might affect individual

behaviour especially in working area. In addition Kumar and Rose (2010) also found

significant correlation that influence Islamic work ethic towards innovation capabilities.

Sehhat, Mahmoudzadeh, Ashena, & Parsa (2015), investigate the impact of the

Islamic work ethics where they look in every aspect of human being characters, especially in

employees’ anticipation, positivity, flexibility and efficiency as the dimensions of Positive

Psychological Capital. From the analysis it shows that the significance of implementing

Islamic Work Ethics in organizational will give positive effect among employee where they

able to change their attitude, to overcome the crises of uselessness, low confidence level, low

quality of quickly recovering from sadness or failure, and doubtful. The authors also provide

recommendations for manager in Islamic public organizations in formulating their human

resource policies and strategies, especially the importance of developing ethics in the

organization. Furthermore, in order to improve employees’ feelings, encouraged, flexibility,

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self-confidence and optimism; managers need to support the Islamic work ethic in their

organizations.

Ethical Issues Mitigation

To overcome the issue from the behaviour of the employee, Human resources

department is must be take part and play a role on effective and efficient people by to choose

the capability and the right people to work on the organization. There is a long probation

period for the new hire and staff will be punished or extend their probation period. The

organization should implement the policy which is included the type of computer restrictions

which are reasonable for staff day-to-day use in term for work related activities.

The company also need to provide management training to their staff which is to

ensure that employee will be able to use proper techniques to prioritize activities/tasks, will

gain skills and knowledge to plan and track tasks, will understand effects of procrastination

and will be able to identify ways to avoid it, will be able to Identify time wasters and use

skills to eliminate them, will understand how their attitude towards time management affects

their performance.

The company also need to implement data protection and data security and any to access

the database must be get approval from the higher level of the organization or get approval

from security team. The company must be give motivation rewards to employee to make

employee interested working and use their time properly.

7.0 METHODOLOGY OF STUDY

The main objective of this research is to study and identify what the ethical issues are

relating to computer misuse at workplace and how they effect on the time management of the

employee. Therefore, in order to assess and analyse the situation in workplace we have

randomly selected 50 respondents. These respondents are all Muslims age between 18 to 65

years old and they are also using computer at work. We have chosen to use online

questionnaire as our study instrument. The questionnaire which consists of three (3) sections

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namely Part A: Demographic, Part B: Computer Usage and Part C: Computer Usage Policy at

Workplace. There are 24 questions in this questionnaire. Various type of questions have

been used in this questionnaire such as 5 SD scale, multiple choice and yes-no questions.

The questionnaire was published on 23rd November 2015 and met the total target of

respondent on the day itself. Prior to the published date, we have conducted pilot study to

verify on the questionnaire. Total of five (5) respondents involved in this pilot study. The

result of the questionnaires was then analyse manually by using excel spreadsheet.

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