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