Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the purpose of a moral code?
What is the purpose of a moral code?
Why is it important for organizations to act according to a code of ethics?
Why is it important for organizations to act according to a code of ethics?
What is the basis for an established consensus on right and wrong?
What is the basis for an established consensus on right and wrong?
How can organizations improve their business ethics?
How can organizations improve their business ethics?
Signup and view all the answers
What do boundaries of generally accepted behavior do?
What do boundaries of generally accepted behavior do?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the difference between morals, ethics, and laws?
What is the difference between morals, ethics, and laws?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the principle that holds an employer responsible for the acts of its employees?
What is the principle that holds an employer responsible for the acts of its employees?
Signup and view all the answers
What strongly influences the public reputation of a company?
What strongly influences the public reputation of a company?
Signup and view all the answers
Who is expected to set the standard for company-wide ethical conduct according to the text?
Who is expected to set the standard for company-wide ethical conduct according to the text?
Signup and view all the answers
Which act requires public companies to disclose whether they have a code of ethics and any waivers granted to that code?
Which act requires public companies to disclose whether they have a code of ethics and any waivers granted to that code?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a key component for employees to apply the code of ethics to hypothetical case studies effectively?
What is a key component for employees to apply the code of ethics to hypothetical case studies effectively?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a key characteristic that distinguishes a professional from other kinds of workers?
What is a key characteristic that distinguishes a professional from other kinds of workers?
Signup and view all the answers
In addition to specialized knowledge, what is another requirement for a profession?
In addition to specialized knowledge, what is another requirement for a profession?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following is not true about IT professionals?
Which of the following is not true about IT professionals?
Signup and view all the answers
How do codes of ethics affect the ethical behavior of IT professionals?
How do codes of ethics affect the ethical behavior of IT professionals?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the purpose of compliance in promoting ethical behavior?
What is the purpose of compliance in promoting ethical behavior?
Signup and view all the answers
What do professional organizations contribute to the ethical conduct of IT workers?
What do professional organizations contribute to the ethical conduct of IT workers?
Signup and view all the answers
How do certifications and licensing impact the ethical behavior of IT professionals?
How do certifications and licensing impact the ethical behavior of IT professionals?
Signup and view all the answers
What type of IT workers do not meet the legal definition of professionals based on the text?
What type of IT workers do not meet the legal definition of professionals based on the text?
Signup and view all the answers
Which group is tasked with stopping the unauthorized copying of software?
Which group is tasked with stopping the unauthorized copying of software?
Signup and view all the answers
What does an IT worker typically provide to a client based on the text?
What does an IT worker typically provide to a client based on the text?
Signup and view all the answers
What is defined as a conflict between a person's self-interest and the interests of a client according to the text?
What is defined as a conflict between a person's self-interest and the interests of a client according to the text?
Signup and view all the answers
Which act attracts attention to a negligent, illegal, unethical, abusive, or dangerous act threatening the public interest?
Which act attracts attention to a negligent, illegal, unethical, abusive, or dangerous act threatening the public interest?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a key legal perspective discussed in the text regarding IT workers?
What is a key legal perspective discussed in the text regarding IT workers?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Ethics in Information Technology
What is Ethics?
- Ethics is a set of beliefs about right and wrong behavior
- Virtues are habits that incline people to do what is acceptable
- Vices are habits of unacceptable behavior
- A personal value system is a scheme of moral values formed by virtues and vices
The Importance of Integrity
- Integrity is a cornerstone of ethical behavior
- People with integrity act in accordance with a personal code of principles
- Integrity emerges when moral standards are applied consistently in all situations
The Difference Between Morals, Ethics, and Laws
- Morals: personal beliefs about right and wrong
- Ethics: standards or codes of behavior expected of an individual by a group
- Laws: system of rules that tells us what we can and cannot do
Ethics in the Business World
- Several trends have increased the likelihood of unethical behavior, including globalization, maintaining profits, and heightened vigilance by employees, shareholders, and regulatory agencies
- Recent scandals in IT companies, such as Satyam Computer Services, Hewlett Packard, Computer Associates International, and IBM, highlight the importance of ethics
Why Fostering Good Business Ethics Is Important
- To gain the good will of the community
- To create an organization that operates consistently
- To foster good business practices
- To protect the organization and employees from legal action
- To avoid unfavorable publicity
Creating an Organization That Operates Consistently
- Consistency ensures that employees know what is expected of them
- Consistency also means that shareholders, customers, suppliers, and the community know what they can expect of the organization
Fostering Good Business Practices
- Good ethics means good business and improved profits
- Bad ethics means bad business and waning profits
- Suppliers and business partners prioritize working with companies that operate in a fair and ethical manner
Protecting the Organization and Its Employees from Legal Actions
- The U.S. Supreme Court established that an employer can be held responsible for the acts of its employees
- Organizations are motivated to build strong ethics programs to avoid negative publicity
Improving Corporate Ethics
- Characteristics of a successful ethics program include:
- Employees willing to seek advice about ethical issues
- Employees feel prepared to handle situations that could lead to misconduct
- Employees are rewarded for ethical behavior
- Employees are not rewarded for success obtained through questionable means
- Employees feel positive about their company
Appointing a Corporate Ethics Officer
- The corporate ethics officer provides vision and leadership in business conduct
- The officer ensures ethical procedures are put in place
- The officer creates and maintains an ethics culture
- The officer is responsible for key knowledge/contact person for ethical issues
Ethical Standards Set by Board of Directors
- The board oversees the organization's business activities and management
- Board members of the company are expected to:
- Conduct themselves according to the highest standards of personal and professional integrity
- Set standard for company-wide ethical conduct
- Ensure compliance with laws and regulations
- Create an environment in which employees can seek advice about business conduct, raise issues, and report misconduct
Establishing a Corporate Code of Ethics
- A code of ethics highlights an organization's key ethical issues
- A code of ethics identifies overarching values and important principles
- A code of ethics focuses employees on areas of ethical risk
- A code of ethics offers guidance for employees to recognize and deal with ethical issues
- A code of ethics provides mechanisms to report unethical conduct
Conducting Social Audits
- A social audit reviews how well an organization is meeting ethical and social responsibility goals
- A social audit communicates new goals for the upcoming year
- A social audit is shared broadly with employees, shareholders, investors, market analysts, customers, suppliers, government agencies, and local communities
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
Test your knowledge of Chapter 1 'An Overview of Ethics' from the book 'Ethics in Information Technology, Fourth Edition'. This quiz covers topics such as the importance of ethics, business ethics, and organizational practices to improve ethics in the business world.
