Chapter 1 CASE # 3 Is There a Place for Ethics in IT?

Discussion Questions

1.)    Discuss how a CIO might handle Schrage’s sceanarios using the suggested process for ethical decision making presented in this chapter.

The CIO might handle Schrage scenarios usimg this method or way for ethical decision making. First, they should develop a problem statement. It wil help you make better decision. Idntify Alternatives, sometimes you need the help of others to identify several alternatives solutions to the problem. Lastly, Evaluate and Choose an Alternative.

2.)    Discuss the possible short-term losses and long-term gains in implementing ethical solutions for each of Schrage’s scenarios.

Some readers argued that CIOs must consider the company’s long-term needs rather than just the current needs of a specific project. Others argued that engaging in unethical behavior, even for the best of purposes, crosses a line that eventually leads to more serious trangressions. Another reader agreed with Schrage, arguing that ethics has to “take a back seat to budgets and schedules” in a large organization. This reader explained, “At the end of the day, IT is business.”

3.)    Must business choose between good ethics and financial benefits? Explain your answer using Schrage’s scenarios as examples.

Yes, they can choose good ethics instead of financial benefits just like Schrage scenarios… the company palns to outsource its maintenance and support the CRM system once it is develop. There’s a good chance that two-third of the IT staff will be laid-off. In this scenario, you choose which is the best for your company in order to keep it alive. On the other hand, in a certain businees or company to maintain it’s good condition and to gain financial benefits, trade-off must be made to keep it from being ineffective.