Patient Record Managent System
Ethics in Information Technology,
Second Edition
1Ethics in Information
Technology, Second Edition
Chapter 1
An Overview of Ethics
Ethics in Information Technology,
Second Edition
2 Objectives
•What is ethics, and why is it important to act according to a code of principles?
•Why is business ethics becoming increasingly important?
•What are corporations doing to improve business ethics?
•Why are corporations interested in fostering good business ethics?
•What approach can you take to ensure ethical decision making?
•What trends have increased the risk of using information technology unethically?
4 What is Ethics?
•Moral code
–Set of rules
–Establishes boundaries of generally accepted behaviour
–Different rules often have contradictions
•Morality
–Social conventions about right and wrong
–Widely shared
•Morality may vary by:
–Age
–Cultural group
–Ethnic background
–Religion
–Gender
6 Definitions of Ethics
•Ethics - set of beliefs about right and wrong behaviour
•Ethical behaviour conforms to generally accepted social norms
•Virtues - Habits that incline people to do what is acceptable
•Vices - Habits of unacceptable behaviour
•Value system - Scheme of moral values
7 The Importance of Integrity
•Integrity is a cornerstone of ethical behaviour
•People with integrity
–Act in accordance with a personal code of principles
–Extend to all people the same respect and consideration that you desire
–Apply the same moral standards in all situations
8 Ethics in the Business World
•Risk is the product of multiplying the likelihood of an event by the impact of its occurrence
•Risks associated with inappropriate behaviour have increased due to
–Globalization
–Heightened vigilance by
•Employees
•Shareholders
•Regulatory agencies
•Recent scandals in IT companies
–WorldCom
–Qwest Communications International Inc.
–Adelphia Communications Corp.
–Computer Associates (CA)
Book Page
Second Edition
1Ethics in Information
Technology, Second Edition
Chapter 1
An Overview of Ethics
Ethics in Information Technology,
Second Edition
2 Objectives
•What is ethics, and why is it important to act according to a code of principles?
•Why is business ethics becoming increasingly important?
•What are corporations doing to improve business ethics?
•Why are corporations interested in fostering good business ethics?
•What approach can you take to ensure ethical decision making?
•What trends have increased the risk of using information technology unethically?
4 What is Ethics?
•Moral code
–Set of rules
–Establishes boundaries of generally accepted behaviour
–Different rules often have contradictions
•Morality
–Social conventions about right and wrong
–Widely shared
•Morality may vary by:
–Age
–Cultural group
–Ethnic background
–Religion
–Gender
6 Definitions of Ethics
•Ethics - set of beliefs about right and wrong behaviour
•Ethical behaviour conforms to generally accepted social norms
•Virtues - Habits that incline people to do what is acceptable
•Vices - Habits of unacceptable behaviour
•Value system - Scheme of moral values
7 The Importance of Integrity
•Integrity is a cornerstone of ethical behaviour
•People with integrity
–Act in accordance with a personal code of principles
–Extend to all people the same respect and consideration that you desire
–Apply the same moral standards in all situations
8 Ethics in the Business World
•Risk is the product of multiplying the likelihood of an event by the impact of its occurrence
•Risks associated with inappropriate behaviour have increased due to
–Globalization
–Heightened vigilance by
•Employees
•Shareholders
•Regulatory agencies
•Recent scandals in IT companies
–WorldCom
–Qwest Communications International Inc.
–Adelphia Communications Corp.
–Computer Associates (CA)
Book Page