information systems ethics is 460 notes by thomas hilton
TRANSCRIPT
Information Systems EthicsInformation Systems Ethics
IS 460 Notes
byThomas Hilton
Definition of EthicsDefinition of Ethics
“Business” Ethics “Gaming” Ethics Rules of right conduct in business IS Ethics: Rules of right conduct in IS
Business Ethics
Role of Business in Society Ethical Decision-Making Ethical Leadership Corporate Governance
Misconceptions About IS EthicsMisconceptions About IS Ethics
Not different from other business ethics Not relative to the individual
(consensual) Not the same as getting caught Not security Not law Not conscience Not common sense
Basic Duties of IS EthicsBasic Duties of IS Ethics
Order: filling agreed-upon role(s) Cooperation: helping (or not
hindering) others to fulfill their proper role
Improvement: continually improving goods, services, or their production
Trust: Giving one's best efforts to achieving agreed-upon goals
The Domain of IS EthicsThe Domain of IS Ethics
Information Systems Components Information, hardware, software,
procedures, people, data
Information Systems Actions Access Use Creation Destruction
When Duties ConflictWhen Duties Conflict
Bentham's Law (legitimized by John Stuart Mill)
“Seek the Greatest Good for the Greatest Number”
What’s “good”? Who counts in the “greatest number”? Subject to abuse Use only in context of the Four Duties
How Computers Remove How Computers Remove Barriers to Unethical BehaviorBarriers to Unethical Behavior
Location Time Power Separation
How to Make an Ethical DecisionHow to Make an Ethical Decision
1. Is it an IS issue?2. What are feasible responses?3. Which duties does each response
fulfill/neglect?4. Resolve conflicts among duties?
Carry out the most ethical response Although doing nothing is a
legitimate alternative, don’t succumb to “Analysis Paralysis”
The Other Half of the StoryThe Other Half of the Story
Knowing ethics rules isn’t enough.
We must choose to behave ethically.
How to Develop a Good Attitude How to Develop a Good Attitude Toward Ethical Behavior?Toward Ethical Behavior?
Albert Bandura’s Social Learning Theory…
1. Introduce a credible model2. Have the model demonstrate the
desired behavior3. Show the model being rewarded for
engaging in the behavior4. Repeat steps 1-3 often
Is Such Manipulation Ethical?Is Such Manipulation Ethical?
Very good question… We can do this
consciously/deliberately to ourselves Our actions very likely contribute to
others’ attitudes
Ethics Issues in ISEthics Issues in IS
Honesty Competence
End User Issues Professional Issues Other Stakeholder
Issues
End User IssuesEnd User Issues
A la Mason, 1986… Privacy Accuracy Property Access
Professional IssuesProfessional Issues
Developer (errors, controls, etc.) Team (interpersonal relations,
overtime, resources, etc.) Managerial (vendor relations,
management relations, project management)
Other Stakeholder IssuesOther Stakeholder Issues
Regulation Legislation Professional Society
Participation