Computer and Information Technology Ethics in Saudi Arabian Business Organizations - Case Study Example

J Bus Ethics ISSN: 0167-4544   Computer and Information Technology Ethics in Saudi Arabian Business Organizations: Attitudes and Approaches   Abstract:       The use of computers and information technology can be understood to have become a major part of the lives of today’s generation. Be it in the education system or the organizational cultures, the information technology is one of the most flexible applications to provide huge benefits to its users. However, the concern of ethical issues is a crucial matter in the modern world where piracy, corruption and unethical measures have become very common among individuals. Thus maintaining ethical codes of conduct for the uses of computers or information systems has become a necessary aspect in every institutional organization. This study focuses on the ethical measures reflected in the information technology within organizations in the Arab countries particularly highlighting the region of Saudi Arabia. It considers certain literature reviews as well as focused on some of the companies to unlearn the present scenario of ethical practices in information technology uses, and hence conducted a detailed analysis on the ethical structure of information systems in Saudi Arabian organizations. Keywords: Computers, Information technology, Ethics, Business organizations List of Abbreviations: IT: Information Technology NCS: National Computer Systems Introduction:       In the current global scenario, information technology can be found to have advanced to a great extent. Companies require performing under different rules and policies (Northcutt, 2004, p.4). With greater advancements, the use of computers and the IT systems have become very uncomplicated and easy for the users to exchange information. However, attitudes towards the ethical issues have been found to alter amongst the users in the modern organizations and several unethical practices are being prevalent. Often acquaintances may create circumstances where a person tends to get influenced to follow unethical practices. IT proficient organizational members are capable of controlling information systems and hence can manipulate the system procedures. To put a control on such issues, several institutions in developed countries are endorsing ethical codes that the professionals are required to follow. The absence of ethical codes in computers and IT reflects the threats of the users getting involved in “privacy and software piracy” (Information Resources Management Association, 1994, p.428). The ethical codes in computers and information technology administer and control the use of computers, networks and information systems. The ethical issues that generally arise in this respect include unlawful use of computers, theft in computer software, hardware or other process systems, privacy issues as well as use of any material that may be unacceptable in the organizational culture. Thus, organizations need to focus on the codes of ethics to control these measures (Shelly, Cashman, Gunter & Gunter, 2007, p.484). The study has taken into consideration certain literature reviews and a few companies in the region of Saudi Arabia have been taken as case studies reflecting the ethical practices in business organizations on the use of computers and information technology.  Research Framework:       To study the ethical codes maintained in organizations in Saudi Arabia in the context of the use of computers and IT, this report focuses on certain theoretical study work based on the institutional theories on IT and organizational learning to provide with a fundamental understanding on the ethical issues related to information systems. Moreover, the research focuses on some of the selected organizations from Saudi Arabia to reflect on the current scenario of ethical practices in Saudi Arabia. The use of IT has developed largely in a short period of time spreading across the globe in different regions providing high quality services to its users. The broadening of the information systems across the world has led to decrease in the regulation process that enhances the use of unethical practices. The internet is one such service provider that has become highly influencing on its users in the current world. Countries like Saudi Arabia have been found to take control measures on internet providers (George, 2003, pp.7-255). Thus along with the theoretical framework, the organizations and the ethical measures applied in the Saudi Arabian business organizations have been studied for the research.   Theoretical Framework:       Administration and management within organizations can be attained through either centralized or decentralized organizational structures. Centralized processes are performed through processing of different information vertically. In case of decentralized design, the processing of information happens horizontally. The services of IT in this context are highly beneficial in the sense that IT provides increasing speed, quantity and quality of information that can be exchanged between different departments of an organization. IT’s participation in increasing the potential of a firm’s performance have been observed to have significant importance in organizations. Organizational learning greatly determines the usage and relationship of the organization’s management techniques and the use of IT. Organizational learning in this respect may be either exploration of new products and customers, or it may be exploitation that focuses on improvements on existing products. Thus the use of huge data and information is a major part of the organizational learning measures taken by a company (Mahr, 2010, pp.61-63).       Institutional studies reflect that social or ethical values and principles have effects on an organization’s performances and firms acquire techniques for correcting the circumstances through use of ethical practices. Researchers have recognized the importance of identifying the association of the IT practices with institutional learning that can overcome the unethical issues that concern an organization (Currie & Swanson, 2009, p.283). IT experts within an organization are capable of enabling processes of observation and inspection and can even provide access to different information that may reveal industrial expertise, or provide supportive measures for the organizational employees in finance and IT departments. However, access to valuable information may also lead to opportunities of violations and other negative effects that the professionals may not wish to encounter. Moreover, misuse of significant company information that is accessed through the permissibility of the IT professionals may be interpreted as a violation of ethical norms of the organization. Such an activity reflects the participation of the organizational members from the IT departments in the violation of ethical conduct (Stanton & Stam, 2003, p.160). Thus, the institutional theories are highly significant in the correction processes of unethical measures that may be undertaken by IT organizational members. Case Reflections:       Privacy and software piracy are major ethical issues in the use of computers and IT and are significantly observed in countries like Saudi Arabia. Through privacy, one can keep his or her information private. However, it has been observed that often the difference between personal and private information is misused. Also, piracy can be observed at its highest strength, where the organizational members that may not be original in nature prefer different software. The primary features that tend to affect ethical practices within an organization involve “perceived implications, culture, peer pressure, management actions and perceived policies, and opportunity to commit an action” (Information Resources Management Association, 1994, p.429). Saudi Basic Industries Corp.: Saudi Basic Industries Corp. or SABIC is one of the leading companies in manufacture of chemicals, fertilizers, plastics, and metals. Being a highly profitable company and making its top position in the industry (About SABIC, 2011), the company also focuses on the ethical issues, also in regard to computers and information technology. In regard to the ethical use of information technology in the company, since data are regulated in different countries, the company takes utmost responsibility in handling those data and gains confidence of the employees and stakeholders of the company. The company follows the privacy laws in collection of information such that misuse does not happen. Personal data are used only for genuine needs. Also, limitations are provided in the collection of data. Unauthorized access is not allowed and safety of information is highly secured (Code of Ethics, 2010). Thus the company can be found to base its information technology processes on ethical codes of conduct maintaining moral principles of the company that can be observed to positively affect the business outcomes of the company. Al-Babtain Group: Al-Babtain Group is involved in different activities of businesses that include automotive, information technology, investment, industrial and finance. The company has a passion towards integration and commitment in the greater Middle Eastern Region (Welcome to Al-Babtain Group, 2010). The company’s information technology is based on NCS which is effectively designed and developed to serve the customers with their requirements. Ethical practices in the use of computers and IT can be observed in this company as well in that the company focuses on reliability and support of the IT practices. The company has providence for several management solutions; with the entire focus on the reliability of the system to ensure that information are safe and not misused (NCS ME, 2010). Thus ethical concerns in the usage of IT and computers are also reflected in this company with respect to collection and use of both public and private information. The business results of these companies also reflect the positive attribute of the use of ethics in maintenance of data and information in the use of IT in the company. Abdulrehman Algosaibi G.T.C.: Being in the medical industry for around 65 years, the company has been found to build its business with great progress, encountering several difficulties and challenges, functioning in different circumstances of difficulties. However, the company struggled through the difficult phases with assessment of the internal and external environments and planning measures accordingly (Business Overview, 2006). The operations of the company are based on the use of IT. There is an immense level of networking used in the company. However the ethical practices of the company comes into focus in the manner it is focused on serving its customers expectations. The backup services are maintained accordingly. The information systems utilized in the company management is entirely associated with the work culture of the company, thus giving significance to the ethical issues (Information Technology, 2006). Thus the practice of competitive information network processes can be said to contribute to the company’s success to a great extent. The ethics of the company in this respect can be observed in its maintaining its commitment towards its customers. SAAD Information Technology: Saad Information Technology Company or SITCO is a successful company providing its customers with business solutions as per their needs and requirements. The company provides full IT solutions that include consultation, implementation and support (Welcome to Saad Information Technology, n.d.). Being an IT company, it can be understood that the company is entirely based on the use of computers and information systems. The services of the company include Oracle, Cisco, Avaya, Aruba Network and few others. The company is focused on the safety and security of the data and information that they need to exchange and serve their customers with. The ethical principles of the company can be observed in the company’s goals to provide its customers with complete, reliable and secure access to information that ensures that the personal or public information would not be misused by the organizational members of the company (Our Services, n.d.). Thus like the above-mentioned companies, this company also proves that moral correct practices in the use of computers and information technology facilitates a company towards its improved success.  Learning Outcome:       As the study reflects from the literature reviews as well as the case studies, it can be learnt that ethical practices are given special importance in the modern organizations. However considering the cases of Saudi Arabia, where unethical uses of computers and IT is known to be prevalent, the use of ethical principles is seen to be gradually receiving significance in the management of companies. The unethical practice of the IT services generally occurs by the IT professionals themselves when regulation processes are lenient within a firm. This may lead to piracy, crime and other security issues where huge data and information are involved in the company dealings. However, the companies that have been studied from Saudi Arabia for the research reflect that gradually the companies are realizing the importance of the ethical issues, thus focusing more on the security and piracy issues related to collection and use of information through the IT techniques. The companies have been found to direct ethical codes of conduct that are required to be followed by the organizational members. In some other cases, special focus has been provided on the process mechanism of IT such that the data is secured and safe without harming either the organizational members or the customers. Conclusion:       As a conclusion, it can be understood that although Saudi Arabia might have been known to have records of unethical practices in the use of IT; gradually the country is overcoming those issues and more and more companies are incorporating ethical measures towards success implementation of their practices. The results of using moral practices have been reflected through the business results of these companies that have successfully placed themselves among the top companies in their industry. Thus in the competitive world of business, the Saudi Arabian companies are focused in their successful applications of practices to gain competitive advantages over their competitors. To this, the practice of ethical values has been found to be adding as positive contributions and assisting in their IT facilities and uses of computers.                             References: 1. About SABIC. (2011), SABIC, available at: http://www.sabic.com/corporate/en/default.aspx (accessed on September 16, 2011) 2. Business Overview. (2006), Algosaibi-gtb, available at: http://www.algosaibi-gtb.com/default.htm (accessed on September 16, 2011) 3. Code of Ethics. (2010), SABIC, available at: http://www.sabic.com/corporate/en/binaries/sabic%20code_tcm4-5211.pdf (accessed on September 16, 2011) 4. Currie, W.L. & E.B. Swanson. (2009), Special issue on institutional theory in information systems research: contextualizing the IT artifact, Journal of Information Technology, Vol.24, pp.283-285, available at:  http://www.palgrave-journals.com/jit/journal/v24/n4/pdf/jit200917a.pdf (accessed on September 16, 2011) 5. George, R.T. D. (2003), The ethics of information technology and business, New Jersey: Wiley-Blackwell 6. Information Resources Management Association. (1994), Managing social and economic change with information technology, Chicago: Idea Group Inc 7. Information Technology. (2006), Algosaibi-gtb, available at: http://www.algosaibi-gtb.com/operation_infotech.htm (accessed on September 16, 2011) 8. Mahr, F. (2010), Aligning Information Technology, Organization, and Strategy, Germany: Gabler Verlag 9. NCS ME. (2010), Babtain, available at: http://babtain.com/ (accessed on September 16, 2011) 10. Northcutt, S. (2004), IT ethics handbook: right and wrong for IT professionals, Netherlands: Elsevier 11. Our Services. (n.d.), Saadit, available at: http://www.saadit.com/ourservices.aspx# (accessed on September 16, 2011) 12. Shelly, G.B. Cashman, T.J. Gunter, G.A. & R.E. Gunter. (2007), Teachers discovering computers: integrating technology and digital media in the classroom, Connecticut: Cengage Learning 13. Stanton, J.M. & K.R. Stam. (2003), Information Technology, Privacy, and Power within Organizations: a view from Boundary Theory and Social Exchange perspectives, Surveillance & Society, Vol.1, No.2, pp.152-190, available at: http://www.surveillance-and-society.org/articles1(2)/boundarytheory.pdf (accessed on September 16, 2011) 14. Welcome to Al-Babtain Group. (2010), Babtain, available at: http://babtain.com/ (accessed on September 16, 2011) 15. Welcome to Saad Information Technology. (n.d.), Saadit, available at: http://www.saadit.com/aboutus/whoeweare.aspx (accessed on September 16, 2011) Read More