Business
Ethics and
Technology
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If you are interested in ethics conversations regarding
technology, visit http://www.ethix.org
© 2005 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited.
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Chapter Eight Objectives
• Identify the role of technology in business
• Understand the technological environment and
its relationship to ethics
• Identify technological benefits and side effects
• Realize an appreciation of society’s fascination
with technology and its impact
• Discuss information technology and
biotechnology and their ethical implications
© 2005 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited.
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Characteristics of Technology
Benefits of Technology
• Increased production of goods and
services
• Reduced labour to produce these goods
and services
• Reduced injuries in the workplace
• Increased standard of living
© 2005 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited.
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Characteristics of Technology
Side Effects and Challenges of
Technology
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Environmental pollution
The depletion of natural resources
Technological unemployment
Diminished work satisfaction
© 2005 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited.
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Ethics and Technology
Concern over the ethical use and
implications of technology:
– Avoid amoral applications of
technology
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Ethics and Technology
Society’s Obsession with Technology
• Favour the quick fix
• The fear and worshiping technology
• Blur the distinction between what is real and
fake
• Accept violence as normal
• Love technology as a toy
• Live our lives distanced and distracted
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Ethics & Information Technology
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Information Technology
Two Key Impact Areas of
Information Technology
• Electronic commerce
• Computer technology
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Information Technology
Issues Concerning
Electronic Commerce
• Scams
• Invasion of privacy
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Top 10 Online Scams
1. Internet Auction Fraud
2. Internet Service Provider
Scams
3. Internet Web Site
Design/Promotions - Web
Cramming
4. Internet Information and
Adult Services - Credit
Card Cramming
5. Multi-level
Marketing/Pyramid Scams
6. Business Opportunities
and Work-At-Home
Scams
7. Investment Schemes and
Get-Rich-Quick Scams
8. Travel/Vacation Fraud
9. Telephone/Pay-Per-Call
Solicitation Frauds
(including modem dialers
and videotext)
10. Health Care Frauds
© 2005 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited.
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E-Commerce
Privacy Issues
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Identity theft
Revealing personal information
Dispersing personal information
Fraudulent websites
Government distribution of information
Spying – by employer or spouse or stranger
Cyberstalkers
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E-Commerce and Government
Protection
• The Financial Services Modernization Act
• FOIP http://foip.gov.ab.ca/
• Proposed legislation
– Consumer Online Privacy and Disclosure Act
– Online Consumer Protection Act
– Unsolicited Commercial Electronic Mail Act
© 2005 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited.
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E-Commerce and Business
Initiatives
• Ethical leadership
• Privacy policies
• Chief privacy officers
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E-Commerce: Questionable
Businesses and Practices
• Pornography
• Gambling
• Downloading
– Napster.ca
– http://www.kent.edu/Administration/is/IllegalDownload-Notice.cfm
• Monitoring technology
© 2005 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited.
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The Workplace and Computer
Technology – The Good News
The Employee’s Impression of
Technology
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Expands job-related knowledge
Increases productivity
Improves communications with clients
Relieves job stress
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The Workplace, Computer
Technology and Surveillance
The Not-so-good News
Types of Monitoring
- e-mail and Internet usage
- fax usage
- workers via video camera
- cell phone usage
- GPS equipped vehicles
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Unethical Workplace Employee
Activities
• Engaging in dangerous activities (cell phones
& vehicles don’t mix)
• Blaming errors on technology
• Copying company software for home use
• Accessing corporate files without permission
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More Unethical Workplace
Employee Activities
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Computer shopping
Invading a co-worker’s privacy
Visiting porn sites and playing games
Seeking employment on company time
© 2005 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited.
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Ethics & Biotechnology
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Biotechnology
• Bioethics deals with ethical issues
embedded in the use of biotechnology.
• Proceduralism deals with elaborate
protocols to ensure classical ethical
dilemmas do not arise, such as informed
consent.
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Biotechnology
Genetic Engineering
• Stem cell research
• Cloning
• Genetic testing and profiling
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Biotechnology
Genetically Modified Foods
• Safety issues
• Labelling issues
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Case Study: Toxic Tacos? (p.645)
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