Case Study: IT Ethics, Ethical Principles, and Organizational Behavior

This case study delves into the realm of IT ethics, specifically focusing on ethical dilemmas within an organizational setting. The analysis centers around a scenario where an individual, George, faces a conflict between disclosing employee performance to a superior, Gagan, and upholding principles of privacy and ethical conduct. The case study explores the consequences of both disclosing and not disclosing the information, highlighting the potential violations of privacy and ethical principles. It emphasizes the importance of adhering to organizational rules, ethical codes of conduct, and moral principles such as honesty, trust, equality, fairness, and dignity. The case study ultimately recommends that George should refrain from disclosing employee performance to protect privacy and ethical conduct. The assignment provides a step-by-step analysis of the situation, the actions involved, and the decision-making process, supported by relevant literature on organizational ethics.

Reading Head: IT ETHICS 0
IT Ethics
February 14
2020
In this abstract ethics in organization will be mentioned.

IT ETHICS 1
Steps Case Study
Name and Number
Process/ Steps
Issues/ Results
Step-1 Analyze - The consequences  In consideration of this situation, there
are two options for George. And both
options will have a different impact in the
long run. One considerable option is
that George will expose the performance
of employees to Gagan. In this option
George is considered to be involved in
unethical behavior as this type of
behavior hinders the Principle of Privacy
(Letendre, 2015). If George will follow
this unethical behavior then it can result
negatively for the organization in the
future.
 Another option that can be considered by
George is not to expose the performance
of employees to Gagan. In this situation,
George is considered to be following an
ethical code of conduct and he is also
following organization rules and
regulations. If George will follow this
Principle then it can produce positive
results for the organization.
 In this situation, Gagan is considered to
be involved in unethical behavior. As he
should follow organizations’ rules and
policies and he should not ask such
questions which can hinder principles or
organization rather than he should
concentrate on taking effective measures
to improve his leadership skills.
(AMELIE, 2014).
Step-2 Analyze- The Action

IT ETHICS 2
 There are some moral principles that
have to be followed in an organization
such as honesty, trust, equality, fairness,
and dignity (Josephson & INSTITUTE,
2015). All these Principles are expected
to be followed by George.
 If George will violate the Principle of
Privacy then there are chances that he
will cross the line of ethics. Initially,
George was instructed by the
organization not to disclose the
shortcomings of employees. But even
then also if George chooses to disclose
the performance of employees then he is
“crossing the line.” By this action,
George will also violate the ethical
principle of the organization.
 If there will be a conflict between
principles and rights of employees then
also principles will be considered more
important. Principles are formed to
protect the rights of every employee. A
principle also protects unethical behavior
in the organization (South University,
2017).
 In this case, the least problematic actions
are of Gagan. Because George is facing
ethical dilemmas as he is bounded with
several policies of the company. But
Gagan is neither bounded with any
ethical policy nor is he concerned about
organizations’ ethics and leadership
skills.
Step-3 Make A Decision  Taking both the options into
consideration the option which should be
chosen by George is not to disclose the
performance of employees. This step will
protect the principle as well. By this
George can also prevent himself from
involving in unethical behavior.
 The basic steps which can be followed
are that actions should always support
ethical behaviors and consequences.

IT ETHICS 3
Bibliography
AMELIE, M. (2014, 12 24). The 10 most common examples of unethical behavior. Retrieved
02 14, 2020, from Sigrid: https://www.tu.no/artikler/the-10-most-common-examples-
of-unethical-behavior/225478
Josephson, M., & INSTITUTE, J. (2015). 12 ETHICAL PRINCIPLES FOR BUSINESS
EXECUTIVES. A journal of leaders, by leaders, and for leaders.
Letendre, M. (2015, 01). Organizational Ethics. Retrieved 02 14, 2020, from Research Gate:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/302472978_Organizational_Ethics
South University. (2017, 07 14). A journal of leaders, by leaders, and for leaders. Retrieved
02 14, 2020, from South University: https://www.southuniversity.edu/news-and-
blogs/2017/07/ethical-principles-for-business-38725