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2. Chapter 9 Business Ethics and Technology
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3. Learning Outcomes
Discuss the role that technology plays in our business lives.
Gain an understanding of the technological environment and the characteristics of technology that influence business ethics and stakeholders.
Identify the benefits and side effects of technology in business.
Gain an appreciation of society’s intoxication with technology and the consequences of this intoxication.
Learn to differentiate between information technology and biotechnology and their ethical implications for management.
Identify the ethical issues involved in biotechnology and present arguments on both sides of the issues.
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4. Chapter Outline Technology and the Technological Environment
Characteristics of Technology
Technology and Ethics
Information Technology
Biotechnology
Summary
Key Terms
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5. Business Ethics & Technology
We live in an age dominated by advancing technology. Each new generation experiences technological advances that were not seen by previous generations.
The new generation of young people is called the iGeneration. Technology is part of their DNA, and they have no “off- switch.”
Technology is at the core of most businesses, but it is a two-edged sword.
Despite many positive advances, there are new problems and challenges.
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6. Technology and the Technological Environment
The totality of the means employed to provide objects necessary for human sustenance and comfort.
A scientific method used to achieve a practical purpose.
Technological environment -
The total set of technology-based advancements or progress taking place in society.
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7. Characteristics of Technology
Benefits of Technology -
Increased production of goods and services
Reduced amount of labor needed to produce goods and services
Made labor easier and safer
Results in a higher standard of living.
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8. Side Effects of Technology -
Technology has some unanticipated side effects:
Environmental pollution
Depletion of natural resources
Technological unemployment
Creation of unsatisfying jobs
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9. Challenges of Technology -
New technologies present many challenges to managers, organizations and society.
Some side effects cannot be forecast or overcome.
Overcoming technological determinism that seems to be driving society today would be helpful.
New technology is primarily available in the developed world. Developing nations enjoy few of the benefits of technology available in developed nations.
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10. Technology and Ethics Two Key Issues -
Our perspective is to raise ethical questions that may be related to business development, and the use of technology.
Two Key Issues -
Technological determinism -
The idea that what can be developed will be developed.
Ethical lag -
Occurs when the speed of technological change far exceeds that of ethical development.
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11. Society’s Intoxication with Technology
The symptoms of Society’s intoxication -
We favor the quick fix.
We fear and worship technology.
We blur the distinction between what is real and what is false.
We accept violence as normal.
We love technology as a toy.
We live our lives distanced and distracted.
The solution - Find the right balance.
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12. Information Technology
Biotechnology
Electronic commerce
Computer technology in the workplace
Information Technology
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13. E-Commerce as a Pervasive Technology
Electronic Commerce -
Also called e-commerce, e-business, or Web-based marketing.
The Internet has reshaped the way business is conducted.
Ongoing Issues in E-Commerce Ethics -
Access
Intellectual property
Privacy and informed consent
Protection of children
Security of information
Trust
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14. Invasion of Consumer Privacy via E-Commerce
Cookies -
Identification tags that Web sites drop on our personal computer hard drives so they can recognize repeat visitors the next time we visit their Web sites.
Spam -
Unsolicited commercial . It is sent through "open-relays" to millions of persons.
Identity Theft -
Tampering with one’s financial accounts.
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16. Business Initiatives with Consumer Privacy Protection
Ethical leadership
Privacy policies
Chief privacy officers
Data security
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17. The Workplace and Computer Technology
Surveillance at work raises issues about privacy:
Computers -
Monitoring website connections
Storing and reviewing employee computer files
Blocking access to inappropriate websites
Telephone -
Monitoring time spent, numbers called
Taping phone conversations
Video -
Video surveillance against theft
Surveillance to monitor employee performance
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18. Ten Commandments of Computer Ethics
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19. Biotechnology Biotechnology - Bioethics -
Involves using biology to discover, develop, manufacture, market, and sell products and services. Biotechnology is striving to heal, fuel, and feed the world.
Bioethics -
A field that deals with the ethical issues embedded in the commercial use of biotechnology.
Proceduralism is the primary tool for bioethicists. It is using protocols to ensure that classical safeguards are not violated.
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20. Realms of Biotechnology
Genetic Engineering
Genetically Modified Foods
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21. Genetic testing and profiling
Genetic Engineering
Stem cell research
Cloning
Genetic testing and profiling
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22. Genetically Modified Foods (GMFs)
Also referred to as genetically engineered foods (GEFs).
Fear over health and environmental effects; critics call them “Frankenfoods.”
Many U.S. crops are genetically modified:
Sugar beets (95%)
Soybeans (91%)
Cotton (88%)
Corn (85%)
Most Americans consume genetically modified foods every day.
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23. Labeling of GMFs -
Safety of GMFs is not in question, according to scientific research.
But one of the most frequently discussed issues with GMFs is labeling.
FDA does not mandate GMF labeling in the U.S.
The Non-GMO Project believes that people have the right to make informed choices about whether they consume GMF products.
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24. Key Terms Big Data bioethics biometrics biotechnology botnet scam
chief privacy officer
cloning
cookies
electronic commerce
embryonic stems cells
ethical lag
genetic engineering
genetic profiling
genetic testing
genetically engineered foods (GEFs)
genetically modified foods (GMFs)
identity theft
information technology
online scams
phishing
social networking sites
spam
technological determinism
technological environment
technology
therapeutic cloning
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