University IT Professional Practice: Cultural Issues, Ethical Analysis

This assignment addresses the cultural issues and ethical dilemmas faced by ICT professionals, particularly in the context of organizational mergers. The student explores the impact of mergers on work processes, professional well-being, and career paths, highlighting potential challenges such as changes in work culture and the fear of working with unknown entities. The assignment then delves into ethical frameworks, specifically the frameworks proposed by Chris MacDonald and Thomas White, for analyzing and resolving ethical dilemmas. The student justifies the choice of MacDonald's framework for its step-by-step approach and applicability in complex scenarios. Furthermore, the student outlines a procedural approach to analyzing potentially unethical situations, emphasizing the importance of considering consequences, actions, and ethical standards. The assignment provides a comprehensive understanding of ethical decision-making processes and the cultural implications of organizational changes in the IT sector.

Running head: PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE IN IT
Professional Practice in IT
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

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PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE IN IT
Answer 1
There are a number of cultural issues that can have an impact on an ICT professional
when an organization merges with another. Each company has its own culture hat is followed by
the employees of the organization. However, with a merging of the company the work culture
suffers a drastic change as well. There are certain cultural issues that might have a huge impact
on an ICT professional post merger. These issues are discussed below-
The professional might have to face certain changes in their work processes such as work
hours, factors of incentivizing and so on. This might become difficult for an employee to cope up
with thus hampering his/her professional well being.
Post a merger an employee might feel anonymity with the new culture which might make
the employee less confident about his/her performance. This might have a negative impact on the
person’s professional career. Furthermore, the rapid change in work processes might hamper the
performance of the employee as well.
Merger therefore can possibly have a negative impact on my career as a merger indicates
change in roles change is work processes and management. The fear of working with unknown
and working for unknown will hamper the professional performance and growth.
Answer 2
In case of a merger, it is often found that the ICT professionals find themselves in a
dilemma while they try to fit with the new culture. In this particular situation, the framework
proposed by Chris MacDonald should be more effective. The MacDonald framework will be
used in analysing the situation as this framework recognizes a moral dimension associated with a

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PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE IN IT
situation. This framework collects information for identification of the issue and finding a
feasible alternative to the problem (Asec-sldi.org. 2018).
For making an ethical decision making in this scenario, I chose MacDonald’s framework
as it provides a step by step solution to deal with a situation involving ethical dilemma. It
sketches out options to deal with a particular problem. This in turn helps in weighing the benefits
and burdens associated with the problem. The MacDonald’s framework will therefore help me in
dealing with a particular situation than to just oppose or resist it. In this framework, each solution
is tested using prior experiences and therefore provides accurate results. Another characteristic of
the framework proposed by MacDonald is that each decisions accord with legal and
organizational rules. Therefore, the MacDonald’s framework will be very useful and applicable
in the stated scenario.
Answer 3
Often we face certain situations in our professional and personal lives that give rise to
ethical dilemma. Such situation is needed to be dealt with a planned approach. According to
White, there are two major approach of dealing with an ethical dilemma. The first one deals with
the practical consequences while the other concentrates on the actions themselves.
Analysing the consequences: After taking a decision, it is essential to analyse who will be
benefitted by the decision (Ethicsweb.ca. 2018). Furthermore, it is necessary to analyse whether
the decision taken will harm anyone or not. It is essential to analyse the degree of harm that the
decision will incur in comparison to the degree of benefit.

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PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE IN IT
According to White, it is essential to analyse an action as well rather than just analysing
the end result. If I face any unethical situation I will try to analyse whether any of my actions
will harm any principle or rights.
Both of these conditions will therefore be analysed in order to take an appropriate
decision. It should be kept in mind that neither the actions taken nor the consequences are against
the ethical standards.
These three steps proposed by Thomas White can therefore rightly help in addressing an
ethical dilemma.

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References
Asec-sldi.org. 2018. [online] Available at: http://www.asec-sldi.org/dotAsset/292830.pdf
[Accessed 23 Jul. 2018].
Ethicsweb.ca. 2018. A Guide to Moral Decision Making. [online] Available at:
http://www.ethicsweb.ca/guide/ [Accessed 23 Jul. 2018].