Computing and Information Technology - Essay Example

? Computers and Information Technology Introduction Since the introduction of computer and information technology, much advancement has been made in various sectors. This development has not only enabled innovation but also opened avenues for growth and economic prosperity. However, as technology advances, the risks involved also increase. It has therefore been important in today’s world to ensure that technology systems are secured with the latest computer security software available. Individuals as well as organizations strive to address the challenge of security threats. Through technology, ill-intended people have been able to steal the identity of others and orchestrate terror attacks amongst other crimes. For example, someone can misuse the internet, impersonate a public personality, and tarnish their reputation in the process (Anderson & Goodman, 2002). On the other hand, computers and technology have helped in the globalization of trade and other important economic activities. Similarly, information technology has been assimilated in business activities. In a nutshell, information technology can be defined as the software, hardware and management database amongst other technologies used to process, distribute and store information. This technology is responsible for electronic business operations, management of business models and improved efficiency in commercial as well as personal operations. Information technology is enabling many establishments innovate ways of increasing their competitiveness and profitability as well as managing their business processes. Many activities in most companies are now conducted electronically with the use of information technology. This requires less effort and the technology can be used to link similar institutions located in different areas. Therefore, different bureaus and offices around the world can be linked with software technology and improve efficiency in their operations. This has changed the way people conduct business as well as the way they interact in general. Literature review The use of technology has been integrated into many aspects of business such as sales and advertising. Technology has become an instrument of value for the maintenance and development of prolific business-customer relationships. However, the issue of ethics in the utilization of technology has been overlooked for a long time now. According to a research done by Bush, Bush, and Orr (2010), many users find no need to conduct ethical procedures on the use of technological products. According to the research, such an activity would take away a lot of valuable time from the managers or computer technicians. The result, therefore, is a technological platform full of ethical loopholes and weaknesses. During the earlier days, technology was used as an instrument for exploitation. However, this is not the case anymore because many people use it to experience change. It is through this way that technology has been able to dominate activities in industry and trade amongst other significant sectors of the economy. Galimberti (2009), states that technology has not only taken over the economical domain of many countries and organizations but also dominated the political arena. Through technology, we are able to formulate different solutions for different problems and innovate new ways of doing things. Information technology is also responsible for the provision of information to everyone irrespective of time and location. Examples of such activities include the search of data and the formulation of computer applications that make it easy to conduct business. However, the burden of dealing with the ethical dilemma associated with technology lies squarely with business establishments, organizations or individuals. This is because there lacks a code of ethics in relation to the use of technology. For example, the rapid advancement of technology has made it impossible for nurses and other medical personnel to make sound and professional decisions. Advancements in technology bring about the development of new equipment for hospitals. These interfere with the decision-making process for these medical personnel because they lack the necessary training. To conduct regular training for these officials whenever a new technology is innovated is costly and unsustainable. The failure of the management to train the nurses or doctors for the use of latest technologies is, therefore, common. This has a significant effect on the ethical behavior of such an institution. Since the employees are not trained to use the technology available in the institutions, they are likely to make intentional or unintentional errors hence resulting in substandard service delivery. This malfunction in the ethical fiber within organizations leads to a failure in sufficient provision of necessary and sometimes basic services. Other authors such as De, (2003) have approached this issue from a different perspective. According to them, it is important for organizations to make correct decisions when dealing with ethical concerns. When technology influences some of the ethical considerations within an institution, it becomes necessary for the issues to be addressed by the necessary department (De, 2003). Proposal Every new technology can be measured according to the value it adds to the society. Every system must have ethical principles by which it is governed and run. These principles should be the guidelines for its use and protect the technology from abuse. A lot of research has been done on the ethical considerations for many emerging technologies. In the present world, computers and technologies evolve at a very fast rate. On one hand, evolution of new technologies benefits many industries and institutions by making work and communication easier. On the other hand, though, these technologies are introduced to the public domain without regard to their ethical views and concerns. The result is the existence of a technology that is introduced for use by people without the necessary training or knowledge. When the technology is used by untrained personnel, it becomes exposed to abuse or irrelevant use leading to errors. These errors are costly for both the institution as well as the developers of the technology since the feedback is not positive. To avoid such incidences where a technology is introduced without prior training or knowledge on the intended users, organizations should always conduct regular training to their staff. However, since new technology is developed almost everyday, it becomes unsustainable to train employees every now and then. However, there is little research on how ethical concerns facing computers and technology can be addressed (Brennan & Johnson, 2004). This is an area of great importance since it affects almost all areas of modern life. It, therefore, requires further research to ascertain how ethical concern surrounding the use of new technology can be addressed upon the introduction of such technology into the public domain. I wonder why ethical concerns for the use of new technology are overlooked by many people. I predict that these people view the effort of solving these ethical concerns as extra work for them when they should be dealing with their own areas of expertise or assignment (Azari, 2003). Annotated Bibliography Brennan, L. L., & Johnson, V. E. (2004). Social, ethical and policy implications of information technology. Hershey, Pa. [u.a.: Information Science Publ. The author of this book addresses the issue of ethics as well as their implications in technology and computers. It is an insightful text about how technology brings about different ethical concerns when it is introduced as well as its implications. Salehnia, A. (2002). Ethical issues of information systems. Hershey, PA: IRM Press. This author, just as the previous one, discusses how ethical issues arise when dealing with technology. This text specifically talks about ethical concerns in information systems that are used in most networked organizations. Kizza, J. M. (2010). Ethical and social issues in the information age. London: Springer. Kizza not only looks into ethical issues but also addresses social concerns. These two aspects normally go hand in hand in any platform. It also has an edge in the emerging technologies. Mendina, T., & Britz, J. J. (2004). Information ethics in the electronic age: Current issues in Africa and the world. Jefferson, N.C. [u.a.: McFarland & Co. These authors have concentrated on how ethical issues arise in this electronic age, especially for the application of technology. A narrower scope of Africa has been given by the two authors. This is an excellent text for comparison studies on the diversity of ethical concern in technology. Schultz, R. A. (2006). Contemporary issues in ethics and information technology. Hershey, PA: IRM Press. This author addresses contemporary issues that arise when technology is applied to various processes. The effect of new and emerging technology has also been addressed by the author. The relevance of this text in the research cannot be overlooked. De, G. R. T. (2003). The ethics of information technology and business. Malden, MA: Blackwell Pub. This author, just as the previous one, discusses how ethical issues arise when dealing with technology. In addition, this text also deals with the business implication of technology. This text specifically talks about ethical concerns in information systems that are used in most networked organizations. Reynolds, G. W. (2010). Ethics in information technology. Boston, MA: Course Technology, Cengage Learning. Reynolds is specific about ethics and how they arise in information technology. This is also a helpful text for this research and shall be utilized for deeper insights in emerging information technology. Soraj, H., & Ess, C. (2007). Information technology ethics: Cultural perspectives. Hershey, Pa: Idea Group Pub. This text discusses the cultural perspective of new and emerging technology. The interrelationship of culture and ethics is important in understanding how to addresses ethical concerns in technology and computers. References Anderson, J. G., & Goodman, K. W. (2002). Ethics and information technology: A case-based approach to a health care system in transition. New York [u.a.: Springer. Azari, R. (2003). Current security management & ethical issues of information technology. Harrisburg, PA: Idea Group Inc. Brennan, L. L., & Johnson, V. E. (2004). Social, ethical and policy implications of information technology. Hershey, Pa. [u.a.: Information Science Publ. De, G. R. T. (2003). The ethics of information technology and business. Malden, MA: Blackwell Pub. Kizza, J. M. (2010). Ethical and social issues in the information age. London: Springer. Mendina, T., & Britz, J. J. (2004). Information ethics in the electronic age: Current issues in Africa and the world. Jefferson, N.C. [u.a.: McFarland & Co. Reynolds, G. W. (2010). Ethics in information technology. Boston, MA: Course Technology, Cengage Learning. Salehnia, A. (2002). Ethical issues of information systems. Hershey, PA: IRM Press. Schultz, R. A. (2006). Contemporary issues in ethics and information technology. Hershey, PA: IRM Press. Soraj, H., & Ess, C. (2007). Information technology ethics: Cultural perspectives. 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