Chapter 4 Ethics in Information Systems Quiz (keine Keywords - langer Podcast)
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Questions and Answers

What is a key ethical issue raised by information systems in recent corporate scandals?

  • Employee welfare
  • Use of information systems to hide unethical activities (correct)
  • Compliance with industry regulations
  • Transparency in decision making
  • What principle guides ethical decisions regarding information systems?

  • Ensuring free use of personal data
  • Maximizing profit for shareholders
  • Principles of right and wrong (correct)
  • Adhering to the latest technological trends
  • Which company was fined $185 million due to unethical practices involving unauthorized accounts?

  • General Motors
  • Takata Corporation
  • Wells Fargo (correct)
  • Volkswagen AG
  • What incentive structure contributed to the unethical practices at Wells Fargo?

    <p>Aggressive performance targets for cross-selling (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a method through which contemporary information systems challenge individual privacy?

    <p>Collecting and analyzing user data without consent (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What consequence did employees face for failing to meet performance targets at Wells Fargo?

    <p>Loss of job (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is accountability in information systems an important consideration for ethical practices?

    <p>To protect individual privacy and ensure responsible data use (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What significant impact have information systems had on laws regarding individual rights?

    <p>Strengthened intellectual property protections (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one of the primary ethical concerns raised by information systems?

    <p>New opportunities for crime (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which concept represents the impact of information technology on social structures?

    <p>Ripples in a calm pond (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What can delay the response of social and political institutions to issues raised by IT?

    <p>Time required to develop new laws (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT one of the five moral dimensions of the information age?

    <p>Environmental impact (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why do rapidly declining data storage costs raise ethical issues?

    <p>They enable extensive databases on individuals. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What technology trend is associated with increased dependency on computer systems?

    <p>Doubling of computing power every 18 months (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In what aspect does ethical understanding play a crucial role regarding information systems?

    <p>Decision-making in legally gray areas (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the term 'system quality' refer to in the context of the information age?

    <p>The performance and reliability of ICT systems (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one way to legally protect intellectual property for the life of the author plus 70 years?

    <p>Copyright (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a challenge to intellectual property rights?

    <p>Statutory grants (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the main aspects that the online industry promotes concerning privacy?

    <p>Self-regulation (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) make illegal?

    <p>Circumventing technology-based protections (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following tools is used to enhance online privacy?

    <p>Email encryption (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the Utilitarian Principle suggest regarding ethical actions?

    <p>Take the action that achieves the higher or greater value. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In an opt-in model of privacy, what is required from the user?

    <p>Users must actively consent (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the essence of the Risk Aversion Principle?

    <p>Producing the least harm or potential cost. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How long does a patent grant the creator an exclusive monopoly on their invention?

    <p>20 years (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is the Ethical 'No Free Lunch' Rule important in ethical decisions?

    <p>It emphasizes that everything has a cost or is owned by someone. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a technical solution mentioned for privacy protection?

    <p>Firewall programs (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which organization is an example of a professional code of conduct?

    <p>American Medical Association (AMA) (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the example of monitoring employees, which interests conflict?

    <p>The right of the company to maximize productivity versus workers' desire for personal online use. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does privacy imply in the context of individual rights?

    <p>Control over personal information and freedom from unwanted surveillance. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes the role of professional codes of conduct?

    <p>They promote self-regulation in the interest of society. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does Facebook manage user information despite providing useful services?

    <p>It monitors user behavior and sells information to advertisers and developers. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main purpose of Nonobvious Relationship Awareness (NORA) technology?

    <p>To find obscure connections that may identify criminals or terrorists. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which principle supports the idea that actions should be acceptable for everyone if they are to be deemed right?

    <p>Immanuel Kant’s Categorical Imperative (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In ethical analysis, accountability refers to which of the following?

    <p>Identifying mechanisms for responsible parties. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a step in the five-step ethical analysis?

    <p>Determine the financial costs involved. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Responsibility in ethical terms is best described as:

    <p>The acceptance of obligations for decisions made. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a potential ethical dilemma involving data sharing?

    <p>Combining data from individuals without their consent. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The Slippery Slope Rule suggests that an action is unethical if:

    <p>It cannot be taken repeatedly without negative outcomes. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a primary concern regarding mobile device growth in relation to ethics?

    <p>Potential invasion of privacy due to tracking individuals. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following does NOT contribute to poor system performance?

    <p>High-quality data management practices (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a significant negative social consequence of computing systems?

    <p>Centralized decision-making despite decentralization of computing power (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which is considered the most common source of business system failure?

    <p>Poor input data quality (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What aspect makes flawless software economically unfeasible?

    <p>The high cost of development and maintenance (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is an example of computer abuse?

    <p>Sending unsolicited emails (spam) (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a potential impact of the rapid rate of technological change on businesses?

    <p>Insufficient time to adapt to global competition (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does increased dependence on computer systems affect organizations?

    <p>Increases vulnerability to failures (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of these is NOT typically viewed as software liability in service models?

    <p>Accountability for transmitted messages (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Flashcards

    Information Systems Ethics

    Principles guiding right and wrong in technology use.

    Wells Fargo Fraud Case

    A scandal involving unauthorized accounts created without consent.

    Ethical Judgment Failures

    Instances where organizations made poor moral decisions.

    Cross-Selling Program

    A strategy that incentivizes employees to sell more products to existing customers.

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    Individual Privacy Challenges

    Issues that arise from technology impacting personal privacy.

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    Accountability in Information Systems

    Legal responsibility linked to the use of technology and its outcomes.

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    Intellectual Property Issues

    Concerns regarding ownership and rights over digital content.

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    Corporate Incentives and Ethics

    Motivation systems that can lead to ethical breaches in business.

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    Ethical questions in Information Systems

    New ethical dilemmas due to rapid technological changes.

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    Intense social change

    Transformations that threaten established power and rights through technology.

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    New opportunities for crime

    Technological advances can facilitate new forms of criminal activity.

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    Emotet

    A recent example of cybercrime that threatens security.

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    Model for ethical thinking

    Using a pond analogy for understanding IT's social impact.

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    Five moral dimensions of the information age

    Key ethical aspects including rights, control, and quality of life.

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    Technological trends raising ethical issues

    Key advances complicating ethical landscapes in IT.

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    Legal gray areas

    Situations lacking clear rules, requiring ethical understanding.

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    Nonobvious Relationship Awareness (NORA)

    A technology that uncovers hidden relationships between individuals using data from various sources.

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    Profiling

    Creating detailed dossiers on individuals by combining data from multiple sources.

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    Responsibility

    The acceptance of potential costs and obligations in decision-making.

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    Accountability

    Mechanisms to identify parties responsible for actions or decisions.

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    Liability

    The ability of individuals or firms to recover damages inflicted upon them.

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    Due Process

    Legal framework ensuring laws are clear and rights are upheld with the option to appeal.

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    Five-Step Ethical Analysis

    A structured approach to evaluate ethical dilemmas, involving fact identification, stakeholder analysis, and consequences.

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    Golden Rule

    An ethical principle stating to treat others as you wish to be treated.

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    Utilitarian Principle

    Take the action that achieves the higher or greater value.

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    Risk Aversion Principle

    Take the action that produces the least harm or potential cost.

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    No Free Lunch Rule

    Assume that all objects are owned by someone unless stated otherwise.

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    Professional Codes of Conduct

    Guidelines promulgated by professions to promote ethical practices.

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    Real-world Ethical Dilemma

    Situations where conflicting interests challenge ethical decisions.

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    Privacy

    The claim of individuals to be left alone and control their information.

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    Challenges to Privacy

    Issues that arise from technology's impact on personal privacy.

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    Information Rights

    Rights concerning privacy and freedom on the Internet.

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    Opt-in model

    A system where users consent before their information is collected or used.

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    Intellectual property

    Creative works or inventions that individuals or entities own.

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    Trade secret

    Business information not publicly known and protected from disclosure.

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    Copyright

    Legal protection that prevents copying of creative work for the author's lifetime plus 70 years.

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    Patents

    Exclusive rights for an inventor to use their invention for a set period, typically 20 years.

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    Trademarks

    Distinctive signs or symbols that identify and distinguish products or services.

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    Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA)

    Law that prohibits bypassing digital protections on copyrighted material.

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    Challenges to intellectual property rights

    Issues arising from the digital environment affecting ownership and protection of content.

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    System Quality

    Refers to the acceptable level of performance in software systems.

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    Sources of Poor Performance

    Common causes of system failure: bugs, hardware issues, poor data.

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    Dependence on Computer Systems

    Increasing reliance on tech creates vulnerability for organizations.

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    Computer Crime

    Illegal acts conducted through or against computer systems.

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    Computer Abuse

    Unethical acts involving computers that are not illegal.

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    Negative Social Consequences of Systems

    Unintended harmful effects of technology on society.

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    Data Quality

    The accuracy and reliability of input data in systems.

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    Flawless Software

    The ideal level of software quality that is economically unrealistic.

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    Study Notes

    Ethical and Social Issues in Information Systems

    • TU4: Ethical and Social Issues in Information Systems, taught by Prof. Dr. Paul Drews

    • Course is part of Information Systems: Theory & Practice

    • Intro Case: Smartphone as Big Brother's Friend

      • Explores how smartphones collect and sell location data.
      • Highlights management challenges in data strategy and privacy.
      • Examines potential business solutions like enhanced customer service and increased revenue.
      • Presents ethical dilemmas of invading privacy.
    • Learning Objectives:

      • Identify ethical, social, and political issues raised by information systems.
      • Explain principles of conduct for ethical decision-making in information systems.
      • Discuss how contemporary information systems challenge privacy and intellectual property.
      • Analyze the impact of information systems on laws related to accountability, liability, and everyday life.
    • Ethical, Social, and Political Issues Raised by Information Systems

      • Recent cases of failed ethical judgment in business (Volkswagen AG, Wells Fargo, General Motors, Takata Corporation).
      • Information systems sometimes used to manipulate decisions and evade public scrutiny.
      • Ethics defined as principles of right and wrong that guide individual moral choices.
    • The Wells Fargo Fraud Case

      • $185 million fine in 2016 for unauthorized accounts.
      • 5,300 employees fired.
      • Cross-selling program as central issue
      • Aggressive goals and penalties for failing to hit targets as contributing factor.
    • What Ethical, Social, and Political Issues are Raised by Information Systems?

      • Intense social change, challenging existing power structures and obligations.
      • New opportunities for crime, including new crimes that use informational systems.
      • Cybercrime (recent security threat example: Emotet).
    • A model for thinking about ethical, social, and political issues

      • Society's response to new situations in rapidly growing digital world can be challenging.
      • Developing new rules, laws, and social etiquette often takes time.
      • Ethics is helpful in making decisions about legally gray areas.
    • Ethical, Social, and Political Issues

      • Five moral dimensions of the information age:
        • Information rights and obligations
        • Property rights and obligations
        • Accountability and control
        • System quality
        • Quality of life
    • Key technology trends that raise ethical issues:

      • Doubling of computing power every 18 months
      • Increased organizational reliance on computer systems.
      • Rapidly declining data storage costs leading to easy collection and storage of personal data.
      • Networking advances and the Internet enabling data transfer across vast distances.
      • Data analysis techniques leading to profiling and nonobvious relationship awareness (NORA). Combining data from different sources to identify connections between people.
    • Basic concepts for ethical analysis

      • Responsibility: accepting costs, duties and obligations in decision-making.
      • Accountability: mechanisms for identifying parties responsible for results.
      • Liability: allowing individuals and firms to recover damages resulting from failures.
      • Due process: ensuring fair legal processes and appeals for decisions.
    • Principles to Guide Ethical Decisions

      • Five-step ethical analysis: Clearly describe facts, identify conflict and values, identify stakeholders, consider options and consequences.
      • Candidate ethical principles include the Golden Rule, Immanuel Kant's Categorical Imperative, the Slippery Slope Rule, the Utilitarian Principle, the Risk Aversion Principle.
      • "No Free Lunch" ethical principle, implying that resources and products have owners unless specified otherwise.
    • Professional codes of conduct:

      • Rules established by professional associations to govern behavior and regulate themselves in general societal interest. (Example: American Medical Association, American Bar Association, Association for Computing Machinery)
      • Real-world ethical dilemmas like company interests pitted against worker well-being. (Example: Monitoring employees, Facebook's use of user data.)
    • Challenges to Privacy and Intellectual Property (e.g., claims and issues regarding individuals' right to be left alone from surveillance and control over one's personal information.)

      • Information rights within the Internet age.
      • Legal frameworks (First Amendment, Fourth Amendment, Privacy Act of 1974, and more).
      • Fair information practices. (collection and use of information).
      • Principles of FTC Fair Information Practices (Notice/awareness, Choice/consent, Access/participation, Security, Enforcement) to address issues in privacy.
    • EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and its requirements:

      • Informed consent from customers
      • No data transfers to countries without similar privacy protection.
      • Enforcement with heavy fines.
      • Right to be forgotten
    • Challenges to Privacy and Intellectual Property: Internet challenges to privacy (cookies, web beacons)

      • Security threats (spyware) and the use of data for behavioral targeting.
    • Challenges to Privacy and Intellectual Property: Business practices in the United States using business practices based on opting out versus opting in.

    • Challenges to Privacy and Intellectual Property: Technical solutions (email encryption, anonymity tools, anti-spyware tools, browser features)

    • Challenges to Privacy and Intellectual Property: Property rights with intellectual property (intangible and tangible).

    • Copyright and patents as protections for intellectual property from being copied.

    • Challenges to intellectual property rights (digital media, ease of replication, transmission, alteration, and compactness).

      • Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) and its protection for copyrighted materials.
    • Information Systems, Laws, and Quality of Life:

      • Accountability, liability, and control relating to computer failures and who is responsible.
      • System quality, including data quality and system errors and ethical challenges surrounding poor system performance.
    • Information Systems, Laws, and Quality of Life: Quality

      • Social consequences of information systems, balancing power, rapid change, boundaries of use, dependence and vulnerability, and ethical considerations of employment (reengineering, trickle-down technology), equality and access (digital divide), health risks (RSI, CTS, CVS)
    • Tasks for this week:

      • Read chapter 4 (including case studies), case study of Facebook Privacy; case questions.
    • Contact information for Prof. Dr. Paul Drews.

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    Description

    This quiz examines key ethical issues in information systems highlighted by recent corporate scandals, including accountability, privacy concerns, and the impact of IT on social structures. Test your knowledge on the principles guiding ethical decisions in the corporate environment.

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