E-Portfolio (Just in Case I did not make it Public)

Ch. 4: Ethical and Social Issues in Information Systems
4/13/09

Where information systems are concerned in our current society, strong issues around ethics exist. A new legal environment has been implemented after previous firms and individuals have broken laws and displayed poor ethics. Strong federal penalties exist when corporate mangers break certain laws. Companies such as: Enron, Worldcom, Merrill Lynch, Parmalat, Bristol-Meyers-Squibb, Brocade Communications Systems, Inc., and KPMG are just a few examples. All of these companies have broken laws around ethical business practices in the past.
The current trend is for defendants to reach a guilty plea so that the fine and sentencing is reduced. The unethical usage of information systems were instrumental in many of these crimes. The term ethics refers to, “principles of right and wrong that individuals, acting as free moral agents, use to make choices to guide their behaviors.” The implementation of information systems can potentially disrupt the power architecture of established organizations and governments. This technology is pivotal in our everyday lives in developed nations.
There is a new significance placed on ethics revolving information systems especially the internet. When I think of ethics and the internet I first think of my own safety. In regards to my safety I am referring to my personal information. Any sensitive information such as social security number, bank account numbers, and credit card numbers and so on. If this information was shared unethically and in an irresponsible manner then my identity could be hijacked and major ramification for me could incur. This is one example on a more personal level of why the ethics of information systems are very significant. We must do whatever we can to ensure the proper usage and sharing of sensitive information.
The text offers a model for thinking about ethical, social, and political issues. The obvious danger regarding information systems in my opinion on a security level for nations is military information. Any secret technologies or plans could be shared with inappropriate parties which could jeopardize national security. By splitting the areas into: information rights and obligations, property rights and obligations, system quality, quality of life, and accountability and control, the authors categorize these issues. Individual issues are grouped within the quality of life section, whereas political, social, and ethical issues fall into information rights and obligations along with property rights and obligations.
The authors explain these five moral dimensions of the information age. Essentially by protecting our rights and property we can help mitigate the risk of poor usage of information systems. We see this on an everyday basis with secure networks, firewalls, passwords and pins. I believe that there will always be some factor of risk by using the internet and paying bills or banking online. This is the nature of the information system and the humans utilizing it.

Sources: Management Information Systems Managing The Digital Firm, tenth edition. pgs. 127-130. Laudon, Kenneth C.