Ethical Implications of ICT: A Case Study Analysis

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ACS Code of Professional Conduct

Table of Contents
Introduction:................................................................................................................................................3
Ethical issues related to ICT:...................................................................................................................4
Implications of ethical problems:............................................................................................................4
Solutions to ethical problems:..................................................................................................................5
Argue consistently and rationally about the moral issues raised by the adoption and use of ICT:...........5
Ethical problems from the point of view of ICT professionals using the Australian Computer Society
(ACS) Code of Ethics:.............................................................................................................................6
Conclusion:.................................................................................................................................................9
References:................................................................................................................................................10

Introduction:
The following report evaluates the consequences of the actions taken by Ken who is an ICT
professional. Ken faced an ethical dilemma in the working ventures of the firm as they were
supposed to make the system go live and they signed a contract with the client but due to issues
which the organization faced and were unable to test the system and make the system go live.
The report includes the issues related to ICT. The assessment of the ethical problems and the
solutions of those issues are also evaluated as well as the moral issues raised due to the adoption
and the use of ICT the analysis of the problems that the professional using the ACS code of
ethics faced are elaborately explained.

Ethical issues related to ICT:
There are various ethical issues that an organization faces and in this case the organization was
facing the issues that the engineers and the developers were not able to carry out the quality
assurance test in order to make it clear that the product is in pristine condition and that is why the
quality assurance test is very essential for the organization. The client and the organization had
an agreement regarding the launching of the system online and the firm was not able to full-fill
the agreement on time because the engineers didn’t performed the test and that is why Ken was
not allowing to keep the system at live status (Al-Saggaf, et. al., 2017).
Thus not testing the new the system could result in having a problem in the system. The testing
of the software it’s rolled out for the customers and is very important because it could arise very
serious problem for both the developer and the clients. Though the engineer or the developer
wouldn’t be charged for the issues as the bugs which cause the damages wouldn’t affect the
developers that much but these issues could hamper the image of the firm and could damage the
future earnings of the organization.
The issues in the system can increase the malicious activities through the system and hamper the
efficiency of the firm on the other hand testing of the system provides the organization with the
knowledge about the changes that are required for enhancing the system and provide the client
with the best output.
Implications of ethical problems:
The implications are the issues that an organization and their clients face due to the ethical issues
that arise in the ICT. The organization faced issues related to their image as not providing the
client with the finished product in time hampered their image in the market and thus the
organization lacked behind in their business premises whereas the client was not satisfied with
the type of behaviour and the quality of the product that the organization provided to the
customers (Poulsen, 2018).
Various other issues also arise as the hacking of the system became easier and the viruses also
affected the system as well. The data access rights of the customer were also affected and the
piracy has been an issue that could affect the customers in a deep manner.

These were the implications of the ethical problems that affected the organization and the
customer as well (Ferguson, et. al., 2016).
Solutions to ethical problems:
Ways for solving the ethical problems are as follows:
 Before starting with the project gather the most amount of the information regarding the
project and also the organization gather information for solving the issues which could
arise in the organizational premises of the firm.
 The identification of the parties who are involved in the project and who would be
affected if any issue arise in the developed system.
 Understanding and the pointing out the ethical issues involved and which could hamper
the organization as well as the customers.
 The customers are needed to review the standards of the customers that whether they are
able to full-fill the standards and the requirements of the customer or not.
 The listing out and evaluating the options which are available for the evaluation and the
working of the organization on the particular project.
 After listing and evaluating the problems the organization is needed to choose the best
option for the carrying the process of the working on the particular project. The best
possible option is needed to be evaluated for the completion of the project.
 Keeping the record of the outcome and monitoring it is very essential for the
organization and the customer both.
 The organization is needed to opt for the process of brainstorming and get the best
possible solution for the best and profitable outcome for the organization.
 The educational programs for the employees and the developers are needed to be
conducted as it could provide them with the best chances for the development of the
product.
Argue consistently and rationally about the moral issues raised by the adoption and use of
ICT:
The moral issues which could arise due to the use of the ICT are as follows:
 The individuals working are impacted (Sampson and Osborn, 2015).

 The social consequences.
 Uncertainty of the outcomes.
 Perception of the technology affects the human outcomes.
 The image of the firm is affected in a negative manner and the employees can be fired
from the job as well (Aslan and Zhu, 2016).
The use of the ICT puts adverse effects on the image of the firm and the employees can also
lose their jobs thus the use of the ICT hampers the employees and the employers both. The
use of the ICT needs to be used with proper effectiveness and the organization is needed to
test the quality of the systems they are developing with the proper effectiveness and the
should be handed over to the customers after finishing the whole product thus no other crack
remains in the product and the product could be delivered to the client with the most
favourable outcome.
The products and the system are needed to be developed in such a way that the system
provides the client with the required amount of the safety and security with the product so
that the client doesn’t faces any problem and has its own privacy with the product
(Lennerfors, et. al., 2015).
Ethical problems from the point of view of ICT professionals using the Australian
Computer Society (ACS) Code of Ethics:
The values of the ASC code of ethics are as follows:
1. The Primacy of the Public Interest You will place the interests of the public above those
of personal, business or sectional interests.
2. The Enhancement of Quality of Life You will strive to enhance the quality of life of those
affected by your work.
3. Honesty you will be honest in your representation of skills, knowledge, services and
products.
4. Competence you will work competently and diligently for your stakeholders.
5. Professional Development You will enhance your own professional development, and
that of your staff.

6. Professionalism you will enhance the integrity of the ACS and the respect of its members
for each other.
 The Primacy of the Public Interest:
In the context of this Code, the public interest takes precedence over personal, private and
sectional interests, and any conflicts should be resolved in favour of the public interest. In
your work, you should safeguard the interests of your immediate stakeholders, provided
that these interests do not conflict with the duty and loyalty you owe to the public. The
public interest is taken to include matters of public health, safety and the environment
(Poulsen, 2018).
 The enhancement of Quality of life:
The development of ICT has had a significant impact on our society and way of life.
Whilst this impact has been beneficial to a very great extent, like all technologies, ICT
has also had some negative effects, and will continue to do so. An ethical approach to
your work will help to recognise and minimise these adverse effects. You should promote
equal access to the benefits of ICT by all members of society.
 Honesty:
Do not breach public trust in the profession or the specific trust of your stakeholders.
Observance of utmost honesty and integrity must underlie all your professional decisions
and actions. Circumstances will undoubtedly arise during the course of your professional
career where it may appear to be beneficial for you to be deceptive in some way. This
type of behaviour is not acceptable professional conduct.
 Competence:
Accept only such work as you believe you are competent to perform, and do not hesitate
to obtain additional expertise from appropriately qualified individuals where advisable.
You should always be aware of your own limitations and not knowingly imply that you
have competence you do not possess. This is distinct from accepting a task of which the
successful completion requires expertise additional to your own. You cannot possibly be
knowledgeable on all facets of ICT but you should be able to recognise when you need
additional expertise and information (Al-Saggaf, et. al., 2017).
 Professional Development:

Keep yourself informed of such new technologies, practices and standards as are relevant
to your work. Others will expect you to provide special skills and advice; and in order to
do so, you must keep your knowledge up-to-date. You should encourage your staff and
colleagues to do the same. Take action to ensure that your hard-won knowledge and
experience are passed on in such a way that the recipients not only improve their own
effectiveness in their present work but also become keen to advance their capabilities and
take on additional responsibilities.
 Professionalism:
The ICT industry is relatively new and characterised by rapid change. It has not had the
opportunity to evolve over many years and acquire its own standards and legislation. The
ACS is endeavouring to improve public confidence in the ICT industry. It is imperative
that members of the Society maintain professional standards that improve and enhance
the industry's image, especially in the workplace (Ferguson, et. al., 2016).
These are the codes and the ethical problems that the organization faces.

Conclusion:
The above report includes about the aspects that an organization faces the ACS professional code
of conduct. The identification of the ethical issues related to the ICT and the implication of the
ethical problems. The evaluation of the ethical problems and the moral issues raise due to the
ICT. The proper evaluation of the ethical problems from the point of view of ICT professionals
using the Australian Computer Society (ACS) Code of Ethics is also done for the better
understanding of it.

References:
 Ferguson, S., Thornley, C. and Gibb, F., 2016. Beyond codes of ethics: how library and
information professionals navigate ethical dilemmas in a complex and dynamic
information environment. International Journal of Information Management, 36(4),
pp.543-556.
 Al-Saggaf, Y., Burmeister, O.K. and Schwartz, M., 2017. Qualifications and ethics
education: the views of ICT professionals. Australasian Journal of Information
Systems, 21.
 Poulsen, A., 2018. A post publication review of “Threats to autonomy from emerging
ICTs. Australasian Journal of Information Systems, 22.
 Lennerfors, T.T., Fors, P. and van Rooijen, J., 2015. ICT and environmental
sustainability in a changing society: The view of ecological World Systems
Theory. Information Technology & People, 28(4), pp.758-774.
 Aslan, A. and Zhu, C., 2016. Influencing factors and integration of ICT into teaching
practices of pre-service and starting teachers. International Journal of Research in
Education and Science, 2(2), pp.359-370.
 Sampson, J.P. and Osborn, D.S., 2015. Using information and communication technology
in delivering career interventions. APA handbook of career intervention, 2, pp.57-70.