1. Chapter 1 An Overview of Ethics

2. Chapter 1 - An Overview of Ethics
Chapter 1 - Objectives
To understand ethics and why they are important in ways that are consistent with a code of principles.
Understand why business ethics are becoming increasingly important.
Identify what actions corporations are taking to reduce business ethics risks.
Understand why corporations are interested in fostering good business ethics.
Identify different approaches to ethical decision making.
Discuss the risk of negative impact due to the unethical use of information technology.
Chapter 1 - An Overview of Ethics

3. Chapter 1 - An Overview of Ethics
Ethics Defined
Moral codes are the rules that establish the boundaries of generally accepted behavior.
Morality refers to social conventions about right and wrong human conduct.
Ethics are beliefs regarding right and wrong behavior.
Chapter 1 - An Overview of Ethics

4. Chapter 1 - An Overview of Ethics
Ethics Defined
Virtues are habits that incline us to do what is acceptable.
Vices are habits that incline us to do what is unacceptable.
Value System is the complex scheme of moral values that we choose to live by.
Chapter 1 - An Overview of Ethics

5. The Importance of Integrity
Integrity is used to refer to people who act in ways that are consistent with their own code of principles.
You often reflect on your principles when you consider what you “ought” to do in different situations.
Chapter 1 - An Overview of Ethics

6. Ethics in the Business World
Globalization of organizations has created a complex business world.
Risk is the likelihood of a negative event times the impact of the event.
Chapter 1 - An Overview of Ethics

7. Why Business Ethics are Important
Protect the organization and its employees from legal action.
Create an organization that operates consistently.
Produce good business.
Avoid unfavorable publicity.
Gain the goodwill of the community.
Chapter 1 - An Overview of Ethics

8. Chapter 1 - An Overview of Ethics
Legal Overview
Bribes involve providing money, property, favors, or anything else of value to someone in business or government in order to obtain a business advantage.
Gifts are made openly and publicly as a gesture of friendship or goodwill with no expectation of a future favor for the donor.
Chapter 1 - An Overview of Ethics

9. Improving Corporate Ethics
Appoint a corporate ethics officer.
Ethical standards should be set by a board of directors.
Establish a corporate code of conduct.
Conduct social audits.
Require employees to take ethics training.
Include ethical criteria in employee appraisal/reward systems.
Chapter 1 - An Overview of Ethics

10. Chapter 1 - An Overview of Ethics
Code of Conduct
A guide that highlights an organization’s key ethical issues and identifies the overarching values and principles that are important to the organization and that can help in decision making.
The code of conduct helps ensure that employees:
Abide by the law.
Follow necessary regulations.
Behave in an ethical manner.
Chapter 1 - An Overview of Ethics

11. Ethical Decision Making
Get the facts.
Identify the stakeholders and their positions.
Consider the consequences of your decision.
Weigh various guidelines and principles (Virtue, Utilitarian, Fairness, Common Good).
Develop and evaluate options.
Review your decision.
Evaluate the results of your decision.
Chapter 1 - An Overview of Ethics

12. Four Common Approaches Used in Ethical Decision-Making
Approach to Dealing with Moral Issues
Principle
Virtue Approach
The ethical choice is the one that best reflects moral virtues in ourselves and our community.
Utilitarian Approach
The ethical choice is the one that produces the greatest excess of benefits over harm.
Fairness Approach
The ethical choice is the one that treats everyone the same and does not show favoritism or discrimination.
Common Good Approach
The ethical choice is the one that advances the common good.
Table 1.5
Chapter 1 - An Overview of Ethics

13. Ethics in Information Technology
The increased use of information technology has raised many ethical issues for today’s IT professional.
Licensing of IT professionals
Internet communication
Intellectual property
Employee/employer issues
Chapter 1 - An Overview of Ethics

14. Chapter 1 - An Overview of Ethics
Summary
Ethics are beliefs regarding right and wrong behavior.
Business ethics are becoming increasingly important because the risks associated with inappropriate behavior have grown.
Corporations are interested in fostering good business ethics:
Protect the company and employees from legal action.
Create an organization that operates consistently.
To produce good business.
To avoid negative publicity.
To gain the good will of the community.
Chapter 1 - An Overview of Ethics

15. Chapter 1 - An Overview of Ethics
Summary
Ethical decision making process:
Get the facts
Identify shareholders and their positions
Consider the consequences
Weigh guidelines and principles
Develop and evaluate options
Review your decision
Evaluate the results of your decision
The growth of use in IT has also increased the risk of unethical uses of IT.
Chapter 1 - An Overview of Ethics

16. Case 1 Missing White House E-mail
problems in the Clinton White House became public in February 2000 through a $90 million class-action suite filed by Judicial Watch, a conservative group that had dogged the Clinton administration with a number of lawsuits since 1994.
Chapter 1 - An Overview of Ethics

17. Case 2 McKesson HBOC Accused of Accounting Improprieties
HBOC delivered cost effective patient information and hospital data collection systems. Accounting irregularities and questionable business practices resulted in a loss in stock prices and many other legal problems.
Chapter 1 - An Overview of Ethics