© 2005 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 1 Business Ethics and Technology Search the Web If you are interested in ethics conversations regarding technology, visit

© 2005 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 2 Chapter Eight Objectives Identify the role of technology in business Understand the technological environment and its relationship to ethics Identify technological benefits and side effects Realize an appreciation of society’s fascination with technology and its impact Discuss information technology and biotechnology and their ethical implications

© 2005 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 3 Characteristics of Technology Benefits of Technology Increased production of goods and services Reduced labour to produce these goods and services Reduced injuries in the workplace Increased standard of living

© 2005 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 4 Characteristics of Technology Side Effects and Challenges of Technology Environmental pollution The depletion of natural resources Technological unemployment Diminished work satisfaction

© 2005 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 5 Ethics and Technology Concern over the ethical use and implications of technology: –Avoid amoral applications of technology

© 2005 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 6 Ethics and Technology Society’s Obsession with Technology Favour the quick fix The fear and worshiping technology Blur the distinction between what is real and fake Accept violence as normal Love technology as a toy Live our lives distanced and distracted

© 2005 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 7 Ethics & Information Technology

© 2005 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 8 Information Technology Two Key Impact Areas of Information Technology Electronic commerce Computer technology

© 2005 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 9 Information Technology Issues Concerning Electronic Commerce Scams Invasion of privacy

© 2005 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 10 Top 10 Online Scams 1.Internet Auction Fraud 2.Internet Service Provider Scams 3.Internet Web Site Design/Promotions - Web Cramming 4.Internet Information and Adult Services - Credit Card Cramming 5.Multi-level Marketing/Pyramid Scams 6.Business Opportunities and Work-At-Home Scams 7.Investment Schemes and Get-Rich-Quick Scams 8.Travel/Vacation Fraud 9.Telephone/Pay-Per-Call Solicitation Frauds (including modem dialers and videotext) 10.Health Care Frauds

© 2005 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 11 E-Commerce Privacy Issues Identity theft Revealing personal information Dispersing personal information Fraudulent websites Government distribution of information Spying – by employer or spouse or stranger Cyberstalkers

© 2005 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 12 E-Commerce and Government Protection The Financial Services Modernization Act FOIP Proposed legislation –Consumer Online Privacy and Disclosure Act –Online Consumer Protection Act –Unsolicited Commercial Electronic Mail Act

© 2005 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 13 E-Commerce and Business Initiatives Ethical leadership Privacy policies Chief privacy officers

© 2005 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 14 E-Commerce: Questionable Businesses and Practices Pornography Gambling Downloading –Napster.caNapster.ca – Monitoring technology

© 2005 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 15 The Workplace and Computer Technology – The Good News The Employee’s Impression of Technology Expands job-related knowledge Increases productivity Improves communications with clients Relieves job stress

© 2005 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 16 The Workplace, Computer Technology and Surveillance The Not-so-good News Types of Monitoring - and Internet usage - fax usage - workers via video camera - cell phone usage - GPS equipped vehicles

© 2005 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 17 Unethical Workplace Employee Activities Engaging in dangerous activities (cell phones & vehicles don’t mix) Blaming errors on technology Copying company software for home use Accessing corporate files without permission

© 2005 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 18 More Unethical Workplace Employee Activities Computer shopping Invading a co-worker’s privacy Visiting porn sites and playing games Seeking employment on company time

© 2005 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 19 Ethics & Biotechnology

© 2005 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 20 Biotechnology Bioethics deals with ethical issues embedded in the use of biotechnology. Proceduralism deals with elaborate protocols to ensure classical ethical dilemmas do not arise, such as informed consent.

© 2005 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 21 Biotechnology Genetic Engineering Stem cell research Cloning Genetic testing and profiling

© 2005 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 22 Biotechnology Genetically Modified Foods Safety issues Labelling issues

© 2005 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 23 Case Study: Toxic Tacos? (p.645)