Applying Ethics in Information System

This article discusses the ethical concerns in information systems, specifically in the context of Bookbarn. It explores the issues of security, privacy, and surveillance and suggests the development of a code of ethics. The article also highlights the mission, key tasks, information inputs and outputs, and variances of the computerized ordering system.

Applying Ethics in Information System
The new technologies have resulted to the development of new ethical
dilemmas categories. Besides, it has provided the ability to collect data from several
sources to develop people’s profile. What took weeks to be done now takes seconds.
This will allow Bookbarn to learn more about their customers and employees. Data
is valuable; however, it weakens consumers’ privacy.
The project team questioned the information system experts on the various
ethical problems in information systems in order to explore the field of ethics in
information systems. The team identified two major ethical concerns: one ethical
concern was security and secondly, privacy. The two ethical issues are interrelated.
Moreover, surveillance was another worry that the project team identified that is of
concern. It was not surprising that the proposed system raised these three issues from
the stakeholder regarding how the project team will raise awareness of the issues,
how the users will be informed, and how they will be educated.
The project team could not ignore the ethical concerns and the only option
available was to address them in the most acceptable and rightful way and be aware
of the possible impacts. One way for directing new waters of ethics in Bookbarn is
developing a code of ethics. A code of ethics is a file that defines a set of tolerable
behaviours for a social or professional group. The file illustrates various actions that
are deemed inappropriate and appropriate. Code of Ethics and professional Conduct
of ACM (Association for Computing Machinery) is a good example of a code of
ethics (Mancini, Vaassen and Dameri, 2013). There are many simple ethical
instructions in the ACM’s code such as warning to be trustworthy and honest.
Nevertheless, since this is also a firm of professionals that concentrates on
computing, there are other precise warnings that connect directly to computerized
system that can be applied by Bookbarn company. They include (Spinello, 2012):
 Each person in Bookbarn should not use or enter another person’s software, computer
system, or data files without authorization. One must seek the proper approval before
utilizing system resources such as system peripherals, computer time, communication
ports, and file space.

 Implementing or designing systems that inadvertently or deliberately demean groups
or individuals is ethically intolerable.
 Bookbarn leaders are accountable for making sure that the computerized system
improves, not demean, the quality of working life. When designing the computerized
system, Bookbarn must consider physical safety, professional and personal
development, and human dignity of all employees. The company should consider
convenient human-computer standards in the workplace and in system design.
Mission of the system?
The mission of the computerized ordering system is to enhance and improve the
ordering processes by increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of serving
customers and processing their orders.
Key tasks?
 Should allow the customers and employees to create and manage accounts
 To allow customers to order any item online from anywhere at any time.
 Updating product information
 To enable customer place orders
 To enable the employees process customer orders faster
 To enable the management to generate the various reports
 To enable customers make payments online.
What are the major information inputs and outputs?
Key Information inputs:
 Customer details
 Employee details
 Product information
 Order information
 Payment details
Key Information Outputs:
 Customers should be able to register and manage their details
 Customer should be able to see order status

 Product status
Key variances?
 Ineffective communication between the business owner, Rob and is daughter,
Clare on the importance of having a computerized ordering system.
 Customers feel that the ordering process is slow and inconveniencing
 Time takes processing customer orders
Job satisfaction enhancers
 Improved order processing
 Effective report generation
 More accuracy in financial records
 Improved customer satisfaction
Job satisfaction reducers
 Insufficient skills among the employees
 The owner of the business is unwilling to adopt computerized ordering
system citing that it will fail and that most of the employees.
 Poor and inefficient ordering system
Efficiency reducers
 Customer orders should be processed as soon as they are received
 Regular order processing
 Complex and ineffective system
Effectiveness contributors
 Training the employees on the required skills to operate a computer and use
the ordering system
 Customer should have good communication skills because they will be
calling customers to confirm orders.
 Interviewing the employees from various departments on what to be included
or improved on the system
 Having a user support desk to help the employees having difficulties in using
the computerized system.