Session 6-Tut (Ethics) PDF

Preview

Summary

Download Session 6-Tut (Ethics) PDF

Description

The University of Sydney Business School Discipline of Business Information Systems INFS1000: Digital Business Innovation

Session 6 Tutorial Activity Sheet

Session 6: BIS Ethics Task 1 You are working for company that sells photos and image material online. During a project in the customer relations office you have become aware that one of your colleagues and best mates, Cal, has found a way to use some of the company’s customer data for her own small business that she runs “on the side.” Cal provides design services for small businesses by helping them to develop professional corporate communications strategies. Company sales data helps her identify new customers and gives her a good start, because she already knows what kind of images customers have ordered and which customers might need some professional help. When you approach Cal, she argues that “I do not compete or take away business from the company; in fact I am helping to grow the customer base, because I tell customers they need more professional images that will bring more money to the company.” You are unsure what to do, Cal is your friend and she seems to have a valid good argument. Or doesn’t she? Identify a BIS ethical dilemma related to this scenario and apply Laudon & Laudon’s model of ethical reasoning to resolve the dilemma. Make sure that you label each step of Laudon & Laudon’s model clearly.

Step 1: State the Ethical Dilemma Option A: I could inform my superiors about the misuse of the organisation’s client data Pro: Benefits me (makes me look good) and stops a breach of customer data and privacy, and property of company Cons: Break Cal’s trust and business approach Option B: I could keep quiet about Cal’s use Pro: Cal’s business thrives and our relationship, potentially brings revenue to organisation through referral Cons: Continued misuse of customer privacy, and company’s property Step 2: Identify the relevant BIS Ethical Issues Privacy – Customers did not choose to disclose personal information for this purpose Property – Data is the property of the company and the company did not consent to Cal’s use Step 3: Identify Affected Stakeholders You/Me Cal Organisation Clients Cal’s business Other colleagues Step 4: State Proposed Action I would tell my superiors as this is a breach of accessibility, privacy and property

Step 5: Justify Proposed Action According to the Priorities principle of the ACS Code of Ethics, the interests of an individual should not take priority over those of a broader collective/community. Cal’s interest should not take priority over those of the customers and the company. Therefore, I will choose to report Cal in the interests of the customers/company

Task 2 Barney is the Coordinator of INFS1000. After marking the mid‐term exam, he wants to upload the marks for the class onto BlackBoard but he realises that the BlackBoard site is down. As Barney wants to let his students know their course marks as soon as possible, he is thinking of sending everyone a spreadsheet via email with the following columns:

Identify a BIS ethical dilemma related to this scenario and apply Laudon & Laudon’s model of ethical reasoning to resolve the dilemma. Make sure that you label each step of Laudon & Laudon’s model clearly. Step 1: State the Ethical Dilemma Option A: Barney can release the grades to everyone Pros: Students get results ASAP Cons: Breach of student privacy (name, SID, grade)

Option B: Barney can wait until Blackboard is back up and running Pros: Protects privacy Cons: slow grade response Option C: Remove first and last name, just send spreadsheet with SID and Marks Pros: Students get results ASAP Cons: If you know another student’s SID, you could still beach his/her privacy Step 2: Identify the relevant BIS Ethical Issues Privacy – Students can check the marks of other students; the other students did not consent to their marks being disclosed Accessibility? This is NOT an issue. Barney has granted access to all students by sending the spreadsheet. Step 3: Identify Affected Stakeholders Barney, You/Me University Students Step 4: State Proposed Action I would wait until blackboard is up to protect their privacy Step 5: Justify Proposed Action According to the risk aversion principle, I do not want potentially sensitive information in relation to course achievements leaked....