Professional and Ethical Issues in Information Systems - Coursework Example

Professional and Ethical Issues in Information Systems By Without a doubt, ethics has always remained one of the most important aspects of information technology. However, with the passage of time and advancements of technology there have emerged a number of new trends which raised various ethical concerns. Though, many researchers have presented a wide variety of ethical theories to deal with these emerging ethical trends. But still there is not considerable progress in this regard. In fact, literature and researches carried out on information systems reveal comparatively small discussion of ethics in the information systems. It is an admitted fact that because of the ever-increasing trend of globalization, a wide variety of environmental issues as well as considerable problems in business management and corporate governance, ethical aspects have turned out to be of increasing significance for the business organizations. In fact, it is true in case of information systems for the reason that information systems involve critical and potential social and ethical aspects of the latest and modern technologies. The paper discusses different ethical theories. The basic purpose of this research is to analyze the relationship between different ethical theories and how they are implemented within information systems. In this scenario, this research presents an analysis of different ethical theories. This paper also presents a discussion on different ethical theories which have been discussed in literature particularly in the context of information systems. However, all the ethical theories recommend us to do the right things and stop doing wrong activities. These ethical aspects are also applied in the same way within the paradigm of information systems however it depends on us whether we follow these principles or not. Introduction Up till now, only a small number of business organizations and industries could argue that they have been actually committed to get the most out of the return to their shareholders at the same time as complying with the applicable rules and regulations and laws in their local nation states. In this scenario, Milton Friedman states that “every business organization or industry has only one social liability and that is to make effective use of its resources as well as to carry out activities which are aimed at maximizing its earnings provided that it complies with the rules and laws of the game”. On the other hand, in the past few years there have emerged massive changes in the field of information technology. In fact, it has changed the world considerably and at the present we have started believing that the majority of business organizations are well aware of the fact that their significant liability to global and local societies is further than only generating and maximizing profit. In other words, there is at the present a rising concern with the question of how business organizations and their workers should behave, as well as this situation leads us to think about ethics as the suitable academic and idealistic area. Additionally, it is predominantly significant for information systems for the reason they involve a wide variety of social effects. These effects can emerge in result of latest technologies and the organizations that have power over them. On the other hand, researchers have not paid considerable attention in putting into practice a practical implementation of ethical information system mechanism (Mingers & Walsham, 2010; Schweitzer, 2005; Stahl, 2008). This paper attempts to establish the link between abstract ethical theories and how they can be implemented in information systems. The basic purpose of this research is to analyze different ethical theories in the context of information systems. The challenge for any study and experiment associated with the ethical concept arises due to the confusing definition of this term. In view of the fact that ethical theories are being used in a wide variety disciplines and discourses and they all have different viewpoints about these terms. Basically, a term “morality” perception can be acknowledged as the non-reflected response that individuals have in response to the issues or questions that they recognize to be right or wrong. In fact, it forms the basis of ideas for instance "something is right" or "that can be wrong". In this scenario, moral perception is a truth of everybody’s life. In addition, it has a tendency to be shared by the local community. Additionally, in an organization, employee, teams, and in the world societies, nations contribute to moral intuitions; they debatably are considerably defined by them. Moreover, the majority of IS researches have taken into consideration the issues of moral perception. In fact, these moral perceptions are significant within information systems for the reason that they can have considerable effect on the implementation, use and accomplishment of information systems in business organizations. In this scenario, these ethical aspects have to do with the question and issue whether information system is contributing to organizational and social goals. In addition, the majority of people have strong intuitions regarding their privacy, accuracy, property and access. With the passage of time, some of these issues grown further into their own dynamics and became sub-disciplines or even complete area of study themselves. In the same way, some researches on information systems take into consideration explicit ethics determines the moral standards in the context of specific groups or stakeholders for instance customers or students (Stahl, 2011; Walsham, 2003; Charlesworth & Sewry, 2002). In this scenario, the interest of explicit ethics remains higher within information systems for the reason that explicit ethical set of laws frequently reflects a classic way to professional ethics, which is frequently referred as codes of ethics or codes of conduct. Basically, professional ethics is intended to demonstrate what activities should be performed by professionals. It also encompasses various rules offered by professional bodies for instance the British Computer Society (BCS), Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), and the Association for Information Systems. However, the research does not clarify that why should we accept an explicit moral statement. In this scenario, if someone wants to understand ethical issues, then, there needs to be conformity not simply for what is right or wrong, however also on why it is right or wrong. In this scenario, ethical theories also require foundation on which ethical statements are made regardless of what is wrong or right. In fact, ethical theories are most important branches of philosophy. There is a difference between explicit ethics and ethical theories as explicit ethics takes morality as social fact and ethical theory takes it as a reflection (Stahl, 2011; Walsham, 2003; Charlesworth & Sewry, 2002). In addition, some of the well-known ethical theories consist of utilitarianism, (Kantian) deontology and virtue ethics. The main idea of utilitarian ethics is to weigh against the collective disutility and utility of every choice whenever a situation of decision making occurs. In this scenario, the ethical decision will be based on the maximum total utility. In view of the fact that this theory focuses on the results or outcomes of decisions, hence it is typically acknowledged as consequentialist. On the other hand Kantian deontology follows a basically dissimilar idea and determines the ethical superiority of a decision in keeping with the purpose of the decision maker. In this scenario, the ethical assessment of a maxim relies on whether it can be imagined or universalized as a general rule. In view of the fact that this approach focuses on the duty bound intention of the decision maker with little focus to consequences hence it is acknowledged as deontological. In addition, a set of ethical theories frequently discussed in the context of IS paradigm minimized both the significance of responsibility and consequences, however focuses on the decision maker. The third ethical theory is known virtue ethics, which does not take into consideration hypothetical difference between right and wrong on the basis of outside features of an act however it is actually foundational upon the way in which a certain act focuses on the character of the decision maker (Stahl, 2011; Walsham, 2003; Charlesworth & Sewry, 2002). Additionally, the literature on IS paradigm takes into consideration these three theories for the reason that they detain much of our ethical perception. In addition, there are several other ethical theories which have been discussed by IS literature. Though, several efforts have been made to put into operation these theories or make them in working condition within information systems. Unfortunately, mainly such work is carried out beyond the paradigm of information systems, especially in the fields of computer and information ethics (Stahl, 2011; Walsham, 2003; Charlesworth & Sewry, 2002). Moreover, previous researches and literature on information systems focus on analyzing requirements and the role played by software development methodologies within the information systems. In this scenario, the researchers have made use of the view of soft and hard systems within IS methodology discussion. Throughout this stage the ways of gathering requirements and especially getting hold of implicit information and knowledge were the most important research areas of research. Despite the fact that taking into consideration this work, the researcher turned out to be uncomfortable with some of the consequences of getting hold of implicit information and knowledge. In this scenario, the researchers had taken into consideration this process from an ethical viewpoint. Hence, by taking into consideration these concerns, issues and questions within the context of ethical aspect, the researchers turned out to be familiar with the possible role and use of ethical consideration within the information systems paradigm. In this scenario, this process initiated the researchers’ interest in ethical aspects and implementation of ethical theories within the information systems paradigm (Byrne, 2003; Mingers & Walsham, 2010; Tavani, 2001). Furthermore, the appropriate research to determine link between ethical theories and their implementation in information systems started with a preliminary theoretical research, examining the role and impact of ethics and ethical theories within the paradigm of information systems. Additionally, this research discussed the concept that there should be a leading decision approach that can be applied to deal with ethical issues within the information systems. In this scenario, this research was supported through the Jungian typology and made use of ideas from similar researches to put forward that information system experts should be inclined toward a sensing-thinking (ST) decision approach. Moreover, the research also showed that domination and governance within the information systems paradigm could guide to either a rationalistic selection of ethical attitude or an implied recognition of the ethical attitude within IS methodology. Moreover, by making use of this research as an initial point, the researchers established a preliminary ethical point of view or attitude. Additionally, the researchers at the same time as still raised questions regarding peoples ethical positions. Though, this perspective can be used as a theoretical framework, to use it within an actual state of affairs to examine the ethical dilemma faced by stakeholders and concerning parties in that is doubtful from a practical and moral point of view. In this scenario, putting an effort to connect not simply an ethical attitude however also the way of thinking at the back of these viewpoints and attitudes to stakeholders within a state of affairs is burdened with a practical and moral quandary. In addition, many researchers believe that the fundamental principle of the attitude is that ethical theories and analysis do not provide solutions to deal with ethical quandary, even they do not put in the picture what is wrong or right or what should be done. In its place, the use of ethical theories and analysis help us clarify and explore the state of affairs which can lead us to a better perceptive of the state of affairs and the ethical issues and dilemmas within (Byrne, 2003; Mingers & Walsham, 2010; Tavani, 2001; Mason, 1995; Oz, 1992). Conclusion and Recommendations This paper has discussed different ethical theories and their implementation within information systems. This paper has shown that only a few researches have been done to determine the role of ethical theories on information systems. In fact, no particular study was found which discusses the implementation of ethical theories within information systems. However, all the theories demonstrate that we should do good and avoid bad activities but their way of explanation is different from one another. Basically, this is the responsibility of business management that they establish an authoritarian structure and the infrastructure to follow and practice ethical theories to be considered in their organization and especially within information systems. Additionally, this framework should support ethical impact evaluation of information systems and personnel working on these systems. 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