IT EthicsIT Ethics

MIS 3003MIS 3003

Introduction to MISIntroduction to MIS

DefinitionsDefinitions

MoralMoral Social conventions about right/wrongSocial conventions about right/wrong Vary by age, cultural group, etc.Vary by age, cultural group, etc.

EthicEthic Beliefs regarding right/wrongBeliefs regarding right/wrong Influenced by family, religion, education, etc.Influenced by family, religion, education, etc.

LawLaw Legislated by governing bodyLegislated by governing body

Rights to Information – Rights to Information – Mason 1986Mason 1986

PrivacyPrivacy AccuracyAccuracy PropertyProperty AccessAccess

PrivacyPrivacy

““concerned with what information an concerned with what information an individual should have to reveal to individual should have to reveal to others through the course of others through the course of employment or through other employment or through other transactions such as online transactions such as online shopping”shopping”

AccuracyAccuracy

““concerned with the authenticity and concerned with the authenticity and fidelity of information, as well as fidelity of information, as well as identifying who is responsible for identifying who is responsible for informational errors that harm informational errors that harm people”people”

PropertyProperty

““focuses on who owns information focuses on who owns information about individuals and how about individuals and how information can be sold and information can be sold and exchanged”exchanged”

AccessAccess

““focuses on defining what focuses on defining what information a person or organization information a person or organization has the right to obtain about others has the right to obtain about others and how this information can be and how this information can be accessed and used”accessed and used”

Scenario AScenario A

It is 11:00 p.m. and Susan is Facebook chatting with her It is 11:00 p.m. and Susan is Facebook chatting with her friends. She has not started writing her research essay due friends. She has not started writing her research essay due the next day. One of her friends suggests finding papers on the next day. One of her friends suggests finding papers on the subject from the Internet. Susan takes her friend’s the subject from the Internet. Susan takes her friend’s suggestion and copies and pastes three paragraphs exactly suggestion and copies and pastes three paragraphs exactly from a website and places them in her essay. She puts the from a website and places them in her essay. She puts the URL at the end of the three paragraphs referencing the web URL at the end of the three paragraphs referencing the web site, but does not include any quotation marks. She continues site, but does not include any quotation marks. She continues by adding some paragraphs of her own to the writing. Even by adding some paragraphs of her own to the writing. Even though University policy indicates that all material taken though University policy indicates that all material taken directly from sources must be quoted, Susan feels that the directly from sources must be quoted, Susan feels that the URL placed at the end of the paragraphs is sufficient. URL placed at the end of the paragraphs is sufficient.

Scenario BScenario B

Students in Professor Ziegler’s management information systems class are Students in Professor Ziegler’s management information systems class are required to complete a group project via a chat room as one of their required to complete a group project via a chat room as one of their assignments. Professor Ziegler announces to the class that it is important assignments. Professor Ziegler announces to the class that it is important that each member of the group work on the project equally as the group will that each member of the group work on the project equally as the group will receive only one grade, and only those teammates that do contribute receive only one grade, and only those teammates that do contribute equally should receive credit for the assignment. Group One consists of equally should receive credit for the assignment. Group One consists of four members, Alyssa, Brian, Carole, and David. One week before the four members, Alyssa, Brian, Carole, and David. One week before the project is due, all four members met electronically in a chat room, each project is due, all four members met electronically in a chat room, each individually participated, and together they completed half of the project. individually participated, and together they completed half of the project. The night before the project is due, the members meet via chat room again The night before the project is due, the members meet via chat room again to complete their project. Brian, Carole, and David each contribute equally to complete their project. Brian, Carole, and David each contribute equally during the session. Alyssa logs into the chat room but does not contribute. during the session. Alyssa logs into the chat room but does not contribute. The other members work for over two hours and send her repeated The other members work for over two hours and send her repeated messages, but she never responds. The next day, Alyssa arrives to class messages, but she never responds. The next day, Alyssa arrives to class with no excuse for her lack of contribution during the online chat session. with no excuse for her lack of contribution during the online chat session. The group turns in the assignment with all four names on the cover page.The group turns in the assignment with all four names on the cover page.

Scenario CScenario C

Sara is a senior at ABC University. She has earned very good grades and Sara is a senior at ABC University. She has earned very good grades and participates in a number of extracurricular activities. She is beginning the job participates in a number of extracurricular activities. She is beginning the job search process to seek a full time position after graduation. She joins two search process to seek a full time position after graduation. She joins two online job placement websites. These sites allow her to post her resume, online job placement websites. These sites allow her to post her resume, search through job openings, and they also send her weekly updates of new search through job openings, and they also send her weekly updates of new jobs that match her interests. The job placement websites also have message jobs that match her interests. The job placement websites also have message boards and chat rooms for fellow job hunters to share advice and boards and chat rooms for fellow job hunters to share advice and encouragement. Sara notices several advertisements on these websites that encouragement. Sara notices several advertisements on these websites that offer services to job seekers. Since some of her job applications require a offer services to job seekers. Since some of her job applications require a written essay, she is especially interested in one website that offers an essay-written essay, she is especially interested in one website that offers an essay-editing service for a fee. Sara posts a question on the discussion board to find editing service for a fee. Sara posts a question on the discussion board to find out if anyone else has used this service. After receiving several good reviews, out if anyone else has used this service. After receiving several good reviews, Sara writes her essay and then uploads it to the service and pays her fee. A Sara writes her essay and then uploads it to the service and pays her fee. A week later, the revised essay is e-mailed to Sara. The essay had been week later, the revised essay is e-mailed to Sara. The essay had been changed substantially. Sara’s original idea was there, but most of the writing changed substantially. Sara’s original idea was there, but most of the writing was new. She realized this essay was much better than her original and was new. She realized this essay was much better than her original and submitted it with her job application and resume.submitted it with her job application and resume.

Scenario DScenario D

Just for fun, Alice (a high school senior) Just for fun, Alice (a high school senior) tells other people in an on-line chat tells other people in an on-line chat room that she is a registered nurse. room that she is a registered nurse. The people in the chat room have The people in the chat room have begun emailing her health-related begun emailing her health-related questions and Alice is answering the questions and Alice is answering the questions.questions.

Scenario EScenario E

Jennie and Grace are rooming together in the freshmen Jennie and Grace are rooming together in the freshmen dorm, and the two of them seem to be getting along dorm, and the two of them seem to be getting along well. They are both in the room when Grace needs to well. They are both in the room when Grace needs to leave to take laundry from the dryer. While she is gone, leave to take laundry from the dryer. While she is gone, Grace receives a text message on her phone which she Grace receives a text message on her phone which she has left in the dorm room. Jennie reads the text has left in the dorm room. Jennie reads the text message. The message is from one of Grace’s friends message. The message is from one of Grace’s friends asking how the “snobby” roommate is working out. This asking how the “snobby” roommate is working out. This upsets Jennie so she posts a comment to Facebook upsets Jennie so she posts a comment to Facebook regarding Grace’s weekend escapades. The Facebook regarding Grace’s weekend escapades. The Facebook comments are viewed by prospective sorority sisters. comments are viewed by prospective sorority sisters. Grace is not invited to join any of the sororities.Grace is not invited to join any of the sororities.

Scenario FScenario F

Victoria is registered for Introduction to Business Victoria is registered for Introduction to Business Statistics for the next semester. The textbook is Statistics for the next semester. The textbook is available at the university bookstore or as an e-available at the university bookstore or as an e-book from the publisher’s website.  Instead of book from the publisher’s website.  Instead of purchasing the textbook or paying the e-book fee, purchasing the textbook or paying the e-book fee, Victoria’s friend, Susan, sends Victoria her login and Victoria’s friend, Susan, sends Victoria her login and password for the e-book in an instant message so password for the e-book in an instant message so that Victoria can download it prior to the first day of that Victoria can download it prior to the first day of class. Victoria logs into the system using Susan’s class. Victoria logs into the system using Susan’s login and password; then she prints the e-book for login and password; then she prints the e-book for the first day of class.the first day of class.

Scenario GScenario G

Sam and Ginger are both taking an advanced visual Sam and Ginger are both taking an advanced visual basic programming class this semester. According to basic programming class this semester. According to the class syllabus, each assignment is to be done the class syllabus, each assignment is to be done individually and not in groups. They have been working individually and not in groups. They have been working individually on a project for the class for several days individually on a project for the class for several days and are having difficulty getting either of their own and are having difficulty getting either of their own programs to run correctly. Around 2 am on the day the programs to run correctly. Around 2 am on the day the project is due, they agree via a text message to work project is due, they agree via a text message to work together. They decide to combine their efforts and together. They decide to combine their efforts and skills, pull the best parts from each individual project, skills, pull the best parts from each individual project, debug the problem spots and turn in the project as their debug the problem spots and turn in the project as their individual work.individual work.

Scenario HScenario H

Professor Smith is reviewing the final papers in his Professor Smith is reviewing the final papers in his management class. He turned the papers into management class. He turned the papers into turnitin.com to check for plagiarism prior to reading turnitin.com to check for plagiarism prior to reading them. When reviewing the turnitin.com reports, he them. When reviewing the turnitin.com reports, he learns that Jason has 42% of his paper copied learns that Jason has 42% of his paper copied directly from various Internet sites. As a result, directly from various Internet sites. As a result, Professor Smith gives Jason a zero on the paper and Professor Smith gives Jason a zero on the paper and reports him to the college on charges of academic reports him to the college on charges of academic misconduct.misconduct.

Scenario 1Scenario 1A programmer at a bank realized that he had A programmer at a bank realized that he had accidentally overdrawn his checking account. He accidentally overdrawn his checking account. He made a small adjustment in the bank’s accounting made a small adjustment in the bank’s accounting system so that his account would not have an system so that his account would not have an additional service charge assessed. As soon as he additional service charge assessed. As soon as he made a deposit that made his balance positive again, made a deposit that made his balance positive again, he corrected the bank’s accounting system.he corrected the bank’s accounting system.

The programmer’s modification of the accounting The programmer’s modification of the accounting system was acceptable or unacceptable?system was acceptable or unacceptable?

If you were the programmer, what is the probability If you were the programmer, what is the probability that you would have modified the accounting that you would have modified the accounting system? (highly probable, probably, improbable, system? (highly probable, probably, improbable, highly improbable)highly improbable)

Scenario 2Scenario 2A computer programmer enjoyed building small A computer programmer enjoyed building small computer applications to give his friends. He would computer applications to give his friends. He would frequently go to his office on Saturday when no one frequently go to his office on Saturday when no one was working and use his employer’s computer to was working and use his employer’s computer to develop computer applications. He did not hide the develop computer applications. He did not hide the fact that he was going into the building; he had to fact that he was going into the building; he had to sign a register at a security desk each time he sign a register at a security desk each time he entered.entered.

The programmer’s use of the company’s computer The programmer’s use of the company’s computer was acceptable or unacceptable?was acceptable or unacceptable?

If you were the programmer, what is the probability If you were the programmer, what is the probability that you would have used the company’s computer on that you would have used the company’s computer on your own time to develop programs for your friends? your own time to develop programs for your friends? (highly probable, probably, improbable, highly (highly probable, probably, improbable, highly improbable)improbable)

Scenario 3Scenario 3Students in Professor Ziegler’s business class are required to Students in Professor Ziegler’s business class are required to complete a group project as one of their assignments. complete a group project as one of their assignments. Professor Ziegler announces to the class that it is important Professor Ziegler announces to the class that it is important that each member of the group work on the project as the that each member of the group work on the project as the group will receive only one grade. Group One consists of four group will receive only one grade. Group One consists of four members, Alyssa, Brian, Carole, and Dan. The night before the members, Alyssa, Brian, Carole, and Dan. The night before the project is due, the members decide to meet electronically in a project is due, the members decide to meet electronically in a chat room to discuss and complete their project. Alyssa never chat room to discuss and complete their project. Alyssa never logs into the chat room. The other members work for over two logs into the chat room. The other members work for over two hours and send her repeated messages, but she never hours and send her repeated messages, but she never responds. The next day, the group turns in the assignment responds. The next day, the group turns in the assignment with all four names on the cover page.with all four names on the cover page.

The group turning in the assignment will all four names was The group turning in the assignment will all four names was acceptable or unacceptable?acceptable or unacceptable?

If you were a member of the group, what is the probability that If you were a member of the group, what is the probability that you would have turned in the assignment with all four names? you would have turned in the assignment with all four names? (highly probable, probably, improbable, highly improbable)(highly probable, probably, improbable, highly improbable)

Scenario 4Scenario 4George needed help desperately. He owed the university George needed help desperately. He owed the university library $150 in fines. He was in this mess because he had been library $150 in fines. He was in this mess because he had been under such severe stress from his course he had forgotten to under such severe stress from his course he had forgotten to renew his books. Coupled with this he was worried about his ill renew his books. Coupled with this he was worried about his ill mother. The bills were mounting up; he needed to buy plane mother. The bills were mounting up; he needed to buy plane tickets to visit his ill mother. He couldn’t ignore the problem tickets to visit his ill mother. He couldn’t ignore the problem any longer. George knew that his friend Tony had already any longer. George knew that his friend Tony had already broken into the library system to change his own account broken into the library system to change his own account several times. George asked Tony to break into the library several times. George asked Tony to break into the library computer system and delete the fine on his record making it computer system and delete the fine on his record making it look as though he had paid the fine. Tony complied.look as though he had paid the fine. Tony complied.

Tony’s modification of the library system was acceptable or Tony’s modification of the library system was acceptable or unacceptable?unacceptable?

If you were Tony, what is the probability that you would have If you were Tony, what is the probability that you would have modified the library system? (highly probable, probably, modified the library system? (highly probable, probably, improbable, highly improbable)improbable, highly improbable)

Scenario 5Scenario 5Luke is shopping online for some textbooks. He Luke is shopping online for some textbooks. He orders one textbook from a website. When he orders one textbook from a website. When he receives his order, he notices that he has received receives his order, he notices that he has received two textbooks, one of which he did not order. two textbooks, one of which he did not order. However, his invoice statement indicates that he has However, his invoice statement indicates that he has only been charged for one textbook. Luke decides to only been charged for one textbook. Luke decides to keep both textbooks.keep both textbooks.

Luke keeping both textbooks was acceptable or Luke keeping both textbooks was acceptable or unacceptable?unacceptable?

If you were Luke, what is the probability that you If you were Luke, what is the probability that you would have kept both textbooks? (highly probable, would have kept both textbooks? (highly probable, probably, improbable, highly improbable)probably, improbable, highly improbable)