Case Study: Ethical Dilemma in IT - Conflict of Interest Analysis

This case study analyzes a conflict of interest involving an IT manager, Hardeep, who must choose between his friend's company and a more cost-effective solution for a government department's ERP system. The case explores the ethical dilemma of prioritizing personal relationships versus the company's best interests, highlighting the importance of adhering to the Code of Ethics. The analysis applies the White Model for ethical decision-making, emphasizing the potential financial consequences of Hardeep's actions. It recommends that Hardeep prioritize the public interest and act with honesty and diligence, as per the ACS Code of Ethics, to avoid career repercussions. The case study underscores the importance of ethical conduct in professional settings, particularly when making decisions that impact an organization's resources and stakeholders.

Running head: CONFLICT OF INTEREST
Conflict of Interest
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1CONFLICT OF INTEREST
Table of Contents
Discussion:.......................................................................................................................................2
The Actual Consequences................................................................................................................2
The Actions......................................................................................................................................2
Make the Decision...........................................................................................................................3
Recommendation.............................................................................................................................3
Reference.........................................................................................................................................4

2CONFLICT OF INTEREST
Case Study: Conflict of Interest
Discussion:
As per the case study, the fact of the case is Hardeep a IT manager of a government
department has holds several duties to his company in the department where he used to work.
The department has recently provide him with some duties where he need acquire an enterprise
resource planning system, where he has found two companies who are able to provide services
through a enterprise recourse planning system (Teaching.csse.uwa.edu.au, 2017).
However, he has referees his best friend company for completing the project and now the
company B is need to requires for some modifications, which could be increase the total cost of
the complete projects. Now the issue has been arises when the another company, the company A
ha provide with the better offers than company B, his friends also asking for the reference of the
work. Therefore the actual issue has arises that it is necessary for Hardeep to follow the Code of
Conducts or not (Anon, 2017).
The Actual Consequences
The White model in Ethical Dilema is should be followed by Hardeep for providing the
positive services towards his company. Now according to the situation if the he refers his friend
for the company project then it will cost for the company. As it is also needed to develop the
technical system of his friend company, which will be a big loss for the company.
The Actions
According to the situation, the White Model code of ethics Hardeep must make some
discussion with the authority of the company. As he is recommending his friend’s company it

3CONFLICT OF INTEREST
could arises doubts about the honesty and dignity. Therefore, it will be better for him to follow
the rules of ethical dilemma (Anon, 2017).
Make the Decision
According to the situation of the company, Hardeep must take the decision about to
prepare software for the enterprise resource planning (ERP) system, which will be helpful for the
company, and he can gain some benefits (Leicester 2016).
Recommendation
The Code of Ethics is the part of the ACS Constitution where the ACS member is bound
to follow all the honor, dignity at the professional life and it also describes that it always exercise
the works towards the organization with dignity, honor and efficiency and must helps to manage
and provide values to the people (Leicester 2016). Here under the code of ethics, under the
public interest value Hardeep should choose the profit of interest for being an employee of the
company and bound to provide the service to the company. Honesty is one the best value of
policy where it helps to increase the skills of knowledge and services while exercising the duties
towards the organizations and it always works best for the employment and the diligence towards
the stakeholders (Teaching.csse.uwa.edu.au, 2017).
However, according to the facts of the case Hardeep is bound to provide services to the
company with honesty and duty of diligence according to the code of ethics. He must not choose
his friends company while makes several looses for the company. The wrong decision and
failing to the duties may affect his career. According to the ACS, he should follow the proper
ethics for the benefits of his company.

4CONFLICT OF INTEREST
Reference
Anon, (2017). [online] Available at: https://www.acs.org.au/content/dam/acs/rules-and-
regulations/Code-of-Professional-Conduct_v2.1.pdf [Accessed 7 Jun. 2017].
Burmeister, O., Al-Saggaf, Y., Schwartz, M. and Johnson, L., 2014. Internet resources to help
Australian ICT professionals identify and solve ethical challenges. ACIS.
Leicester, N., 2016. Ethics in the IT Profession: Does a Code of Ethics have an Effect on
Professional Behaviour?.
Teaching.csse.uwa.edu.au. (2017). ACS Code of Ethics. [online] Available at:
http://teaching.csse.uwa.edu.au/units/CITS3200/ethics/acs-ethics.htm [Accessed 7 Jun. 2017].