© 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 Differentiate between information technology and biotechnology and their ethical implications

© 2005 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 3 Chapter Eight Outline Technology and the Technological Environment Characteristics of Technology Ethics and Technology Information Technology Biotechnology Summary

© 2005 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 4 Introduction to Chapter Eight This chapter explores questions surrounding technology and business ethics, including: –What does technology mean? –What are the benefits and challenges of technology? –How does ethics relate to technology? –What are the ethical issues surrounding information technology and biotechnology?

© 2005 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 5 Technology and the Technological Environment Technology is the means employed to provide objects necessary for achieving human sustenance and comfort: –Macroenvironment of business vs. the technological environment

© 2005 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 6 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. 7 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. 8 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. 9 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. 10 Information Technology Two Types of Information Technology Electronic commerce Computer technology

© 2005 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 11 Information Technology Issues Concerning Electronic Commerce Scams Invasion of privacy

© 2005 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 12 Information Technology E-Commerce Privacy Issues Identity theft Revealing personal information Dispersing personal information Fraudulent websites Government distribution of information

© 2005 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 13 Information Technology E-Commerce Privacy Issues Broadcasting information over the internet Spying –by employer or spouse or stranger Cyberstalkers

© 2005 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 14 Information Technology E-Commerce and Government Protection The Financial Services Modernization Act 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. 15 Information Technology E-Commerce and Business Initiatives Ethical leadership Privacy policies Chief privacy officers

© 2005 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 16 Information Technology E-Commerce and Questionable Businesses and Practices Pornography Gambling Downloading –Napster –MusicNet Monitoring technology

© 2005 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 17 The Workplace and Computer Technology 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. 18 The Workplace, Computer Technology and Surveillance Types of Monitoring - and Internet usage - fax usage - workers via video camera - cell phone usage

© 2005 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 19 Unethical Workplace Employee Activities Engaging in dangerous activities Blaming errors on technology Copying company software for home use Accessing corporate files without permission

© 2005 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 20 Computer Technology and Unethical Workplace 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. 21 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. 22 Biotechnology Nonprofits Canadian Bioethics Society Joint Centre for Bioethics Council of Canadians American Society for Bioethics and Humanities The Council for Responsible Genetics Bioethics.net National Human Genome Research Institute

© 2005 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 23 Biotechnology Genetic Engineering Stem cell research Cloning Genetic testing and profiling

© 2005 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 24 Biotechnology Genetically Modified Foods Safety issues Labelling issues

© 2005 by Nelson, a division of Thomson Canada Limited. 25 Selected Key Terms Bioethics Biotechnology Chief privacy officer Cloning Electronic commerce Embryonic stem cells Genetic engineering Genetic profiling Genetic testing Genetically modified foods Information technology Surveillance Technology Technological environment Therapeutic cloning