7101ICT Professional Issues Assignment: Analysis and Reflection

This report presents an analysis of a professional issues assignment, focusing on a case study involving the misuse of a data storage and analysis system, the Reaper. The report examines various ethical dimensions, including legal, professional, employment, and personal factors, and the ethical implications of decisions made by individuals and organizations. The analysis explores breaches of data, unethical employment practices, and the prioritization of different factors involved in the case. The report also discusses the ethical considerations of technology, the role of an ethical technologist, and the application of the ACS Code of Professional Conduct, and provides a detailed reflection on the course content, demonstrating an understanding of the ethical challenges in the IT industry. The assignment concludes with a discussion on the decision-making process and the lessons learned from the course, offering insights into ethical decision-making and responsible professional conduct.

Student Name
Student No.
7101ICT
Trimester n, 201n
Professional Issues Assignment: Part 2
<For the postgrad version of this course, your assignment should be 4,500 words
including the 1,500 word reflection on course (plus or minus 10%) – word count is
calculated as everything from the Introduction to the Conclusion – it doesn’t include
the Table of Contents, or References – delete this advice before submitting>
Due Date: time, dd/mm/yy
Lecturer: David Tuffley
Campus (NA, LG, GC):

Professional Issues Assignment What I have learned from this course
Contents
1. Introduction 2
2. Analysis 3
2.1. Legal factors...............................................................................3
2.2. Professional factors....................................................................3
2.3. Employment and Social factors..................................................3
2.4. Personal factors..........................................................................3
2.5. Intrinsic factors............................................................................4
2.6. Prioritisation................................................................................5
2.7. Decision......................................................................................5
3. Discussion 7
4. Conclusions on Analysis 7
5. What I have learned from this course 7
5.1. Technology Ethics......................................................................7
5.2. The Ethical Technologist............................................................8
5.3. Habits of the Effective Technologist...........................................8
5.4. ACS Code of Professional Conduct...........................................8
5.5. Ethical Issues of the Information Age.........................................8
5.6. Thinking Machines......................................................................8
5.7. The Common Denominator........................................................8
5.8. AI and Human Potential..............................................................9
5.9. Final Comments (optional).........................................................9
<note, use the automatic Table of Contents update when
finished – right click mouse over the ToC, then select ‘Update
Field’ then ‘Update entire table’>
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Professional Issues Assignment What I have learned from this course
1. Introduction
The discussion is regarding the use of the Reaper in the organization. The
Firestone Associate is using the Reaper for storing and the processing of the
consumer data. However, it has been seen that after the formation of the new
company, Alex, the former manager of the company is misusing the Reaper.
Apart from that Alex is also misleading the employees and the interns of the
organization. The discussion is regarding the different ethical aspects of the
different characters present in the case study. Regarding this discussion
different aspects of the situations has been discussed. It can be said that
there are certain incidents mentioned in the case study. It has been seen that
the main purpose of this case study is to demonstrate the consequences of
the wrong decision making processes in the organization. Apart from that it
has been seen that the personal influence also work as the driven force for
working in the organization. Regarding this it can be said that the situations
describe in the case study will help to discuss about the different perspective
of the ethics. Apart from that the discussion in this paper will help to evaluate
the different aspects and the intentions of the characters in the case study.
This real time situation is helpful to understand the problems in the
organization. Apart from that it has been seen that the analysis of the events
will be helpful for the understanding the critical situations those can be raised
during the expansion and running of the business. Apart from that the incident
in the case study will indicate the unethical use of the technology in the
organization.
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Professional Issues Assignment What I have learned from this course
2. Analysis
Sophie Rayder is the technical consultant at Firestone Associates. She is the
leader of the team that has developed the Reaper, a data storage and the
analysis system that will help to storage the customer data of Firestone.
However, after certain circumstances, Alex the manager of the project
founded the new organization, Sophie joined his company. However, after the
foundation of the organization the behaviour and the decisions taken by the
Alex were not suitable. The analysis will evaluate all the circumstances that
will judge the occurrences mentioned in the case study.
2.1. Legal factors
Factor 1: Breaching of the data:
The Firestone has the privilege to collect the information of the consumers.
However, the organization should keep the confidentiality of those information
as those are confidential in nature. However, it has been seen that the
organization is using those information of the commercial use which is not
legal.
Factor 2: Not paying the intern in a proper way:
It has been seen that after the formation of the new organization the founder
of the organization Alex is not treating well with the employees. It has been
seen that the interns in the organization are working without any pay for one
year. When they are going to negotiate about the salary with Alex, Alex is
stating that they can leave if they want to but they will lose their valuable job
experience. Apart from that it has been noticed that Alex is deceiving the
clients through giving them wrong information about the progress of the
project and claiming more money from the clients which is not legal.
2.2. Professional factors
Factor 1: Role of Sophie Rayder at Firestone:
Sophie Rayder was the technical consultant at Firestone. She was the leader
of the team that has developed Reaper, a system for the analysis and the
storing of the data. However, Sophie came to know that her organization is
using Reaper to collect and store the personal information of the users and
the consumers. Rather maintaining the confidentiality of the information
collected, the organization is using those information for the commercial use.
Sophie knew the incident however, she did not take any action against it.
Factor 2: Not maintaining the proper business deal: The partner of the
Firestone Richard has handed over the list of the people from the LGBT
community to the Mr. Rushby from the Moral Guardians of Australia.
However, there was no formal business agreement between Mr. Rushby and
Richard which does not follow the professional conducts.
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Professional Issues Assignment What I have learned from this course
Factor 3: Not maintaining the clarity regarding the progress of the project:
It has been seen that the founder of the organization Alex is not providing the
right information regarding the progress of the project to the clients. This is not
a professional behaviour and is not desirable.
2.3. Employment and Social factors
Factor 1: Not maintaining the salary of the intern:
Alex is not giving the salary of the intern. As a result, interns are working for 1
year without pay. However, the alarming situation is that Alex is not thinking to
pay them with their salary in near future. Instead he is thinking to hire other
interns who are going to work without pay.
Factor 2: Causality in maintaining the things:
The data of the Reaper is stored in 2 Terabyte external hard disk. However,
Alex, took the hard drive at home keeping it on the top of the drawer which is
not the right place for the important thing. Apart from that it has been seen
that the friend of Alex is curious about the things of other people and hard disk
drive seems tempting to him.
Factor 3: Not maintaining the agreement:
It has been seen that which the starting of the work, Sophie has bounded with
the agreement with the company regarding not disclosing the working
principal of Reaper with the other organization. However, it has been seen
that Sophie has disclosed the functionality of the Reaper to the organization
founded by Alex.
2.4. Personal factors
Factor 1: Desire to start a new company:
After working with the Firestone for 10 years, Alex became ambitious. In order
to start a new company, the he thought of using the Reaper which is not legal.
Apart from that, in order to run the business of the organization in a proper
way, he convinced Sophie to join his company.
Factor 2: Taking the advantage of personal relationship:
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Professional Issues Assignment What I have learned from this course
Alex and Sophie were in a relationship and for this reason Sophie trusted Alex
and joined hi company. However, after some days Sophie notices
unacceptable activities in the organization and both Alex and Sophie realized
their differences in opinions. In this context, it can be said that intention of
Alex is to use the intellect of Sophie as she was the leader of the development
team of Reaper. There was a purely business intention behind going to the
personal relation with Sophie which cannot be acceptable. It can be said that
Alex has mixed up the professional and personal relationship intentionally
which cannot be accepted.
Factor 3: Not making the proper effort in the business at the new organization:
It has been seen that Alex is making profit through numerous unacceptable
and unethical activities in his new organization. Sophie in this case, tried to
blow the whistle , however, her opinion was ignored. In this situation, Alex was
taking the help of false statements to convince the clients as well as the
interns working for his organization.
In this case, it can be said, if Alex would give proper effort, he does not have
to make the false statements. Apart from that there would be transparency in
his business and he would not have to use the Reaper. Rather he can
develop a new system.
2.5. Intrinsic factors
Factor 1: High ambition of Alex:
It has been seen that the ambition of Alex is high and he is not satisfied with
his company at which he is working for 10 years. However, he can adopt an
ethical way for doing the business. However, he did not adopt an ethical way
in this case.
Factor 2: Opinion of Sophie:
It has been noticed from the case study, that Sophie is always with the right
side of the decision making. She always supports the right and the ethical
decisions. However, she was unable to blow the whistle against both of her
former and the present organization. This indicates her weakness to stand up
against the unethical act.
Factor 3: Steps taken by Richard:
It has been seen in the last stage, Richard has taken steps against Alex and
has kept track of his unethical work. However, he recruited some of the
investigators to find out the illegal works at the organization run by Alex. In
this case, he can do the investigation in a more formal way.
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Professional Issues Assignment What I have learned from this course
2.6. Prioritisation
Factor Related Issue
1 Legal Using data for commercial use The data collected from
the users are used or the
commercial purpose that
gives profit to the
employees.
2 Legal Use of Reaper It has been noticed that
Sophie has an
agreement for not
disclosing the
functionality of Reaper.
However, she did not
maintain the agreement.
3 Legal Providing the lists to Mr. Rushby In this case, the proper
business deal has not
been maintained in a
proper way. Richard has
provided the list of LGBT
community to Mr.
Rushby without any
written business deal.
4 Professional Not providing the salary It has been seen that
the interns working at
organization run by Alex
are not paid. Alex is not
thinking to pay them
which is not legal.
5 Professional Lack in clarity It has been seen that
Alex is not disclosing the
proper progress report to
the clients and is
claiming more money
from the clients. This is
not professional
approach.
6 Social Developing the relationship The development of the
relationship between
Alex and Sophie was not
proceeded in a fair way.
Alex was more
interested about the
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Professional Issues Assignment What I have learned from this course
technical skills of Sophie
and needed her to
handle the Reaper for
his organization.
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 <least import factor>
2.7. Decision
The decisions can be made on the basis of the issues identified from the case
study.
It has been seen that the main issue identified in the situation is the use of the
data for the commercial purpose. It has been seen that Firestone is collecting
data from the users. Most of the gathered information are confidential and
personal in nature. The users are trusting firestone about maintaining the
security of the data. However, Firestone is using those information for the
commercial purpose without any permission from the users. This practice is
not legal and ethical. Moreover, the organization has faced many problems
regarding this practice.
The partner of the organization Richard has provided the list of the LGBT
community to Mr. Rushby without any proper business deal. This leads to the
unnecessary events occurred on some of the people.
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Professional Issues Assignment What I have learned from this course
Another issue identified in this case is the lack of professionalism. It has been
seen that Firestone is not treating the employees in the proper way. This
makes Sophie to get depressed in the work and her decision to quit the
organization. Apart from that Richard has not communicate with Sophie
regarding the problems and issues the organization is facing. It has been
seen that there is a lack of the communication between employees and
management of the organization.
The ambition of the Alex has played a significant role in raising the issues. It
has been seen that the organization founded by Alex has indulged into the
unethical work. The interns in the organization are not getting paid and Alex
is thinking to hire more interns and will manage them to work without pay. This
is unethical and illegal decisions.
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Professional Issues Assignment What I have learned from this course
3. Discussion
Important factors those can be inherited from the situation:
Important factors those can be inherited from the above section are the
importance of maintaining the professional relationship between the co-
workers. Apart from that it is important for the organization to make proper
business deal. Business organizations are making their own business
principals and ethics for running of the business. In this context, it can be said
that maintaining those ethical rules are regulations are important for the
organization. Apart from that the organization should be aware about
maintaining the security of its consumers.
Reason for making the list
The justification for choosing these factors is that these factors plays an
important role in maintaining the business of the organization. Apart from that
it has been seen that due to the lack of these factors all the incidents occurred
in the organization.
Firestone is using the data for the commercial use which is not ethical. The
perspective of different stakeholders in this situation can be analysed on the
basis of this situation. Richard has accepted the fact of the commercialization
of the data. However, this is not an ethical behaviour and the support of the
Richard for this practice cannot be justified as right behaviour.
On the other hand Sophie has mentioned her disagreement regarding the
unethical practice in the organization, but she cannot protest against the
practice. She joined another organization owned by Alex, there she faced the
same problem but again she could not protest against it.
The indulgent with the unethical practices has affected the career of Sophie in
a negative way. She cannot get the job at her level after these incidents.so,
she has to shift her base to Perth.
Decision:
The activities of Alex is truly unethical and he is the person who is doing all
the work intentionally. His only ambition is to get successful but he is not
taking the right measures to become successful. Instead, he is taking the
unethical ways to gain the profit in the business. One of the illegal work done
by his is not paying the interns who are working at his company for 1 year.
Apart from that he is misleading the clients regarding the progress of the
project and claiming more money for the implementation purpose which
violated the business conducts.
The use of the Reaper by Alex for his organization cannot be acceptable. In
this situation he has used the knowledge and the intellect of Sophie who is the
leader of the team that has developed Reaper. However, Sophie has the
agreement with the Firestone for not disclosing the functionalities of Reaper
which has been violated by her after she joined Alex’s organization and uses
the Reaper for that organization.
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Professional Issues Assignment What I have learned from this course
4. Conclusions on Analysis
The discussion has identified the ethical issues and the consequences of
those issues in the organization. Apart from that the analysis has developed a
psychological perspective of the stakeholders related with the incidents and
their actions for the particular situation. It can be said that Sophie can be
defined as the victim of the situation. She tried to be honest for each of the
situation. However, her metal weakness does not allow her to speak up
against the unethical practices. On the other hand it has been seen that
Richard, the partner at Firestone is aware about the commercialization of the
user data and is supporting the practice for the profit of the business.
However, he had faced many problems regarding his decisions. Later it can
be said his decisions has been changed after those incidents.
On the other hand, it has been seen that Alex is only concerned about
achieving his dream and for that he is adopting the unethical behaviour. At
first he has mixed up professional and personal affairs which is not a good
practice for the business conduct. However, he has done this intentionally.
Apart from that the use of the Reaper by the organization owed by Alex is
unethical as it does not seek permission from the Firestone. The clients are
affected by the behaviour and the working process of Alex as he is not
providing proper information regarding the progress of the project. Moreover,
he is claiming more money for the improvement of the project. However, no
accountability is provided by Alex to the clients regarding the progress of the
project.
Due to these unethical aspects done by Alex, Sophie suffered most. She has
suffered personally as things does not go well between Sophie and Alex.
Apart from that as there are allegations against Sophie regarding the
unethical practices, so she cannot find suitable job at her level.
5. What I have learned from this course
From this course, I have learned different perspective of the ethical
application for the different situation. What I have learned is that it is the policy
of the Firestone to use the data from the consumers for the commercial
purpose.
In this situation I can use the normative ethical principles for analysis of the
situation. However, employees in the organization has different aims and
objective. Alex, the manager of the project wants to start his own company.
On the other hand Sophie is convinced to join the company of Alex. Apart
from that the use of the Reaper has not done in a proper way by both the
organization.
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Professional Issues Assignment What I have learned from this course
Richard, the business partner of the firestone lacks the professionalism and
provided the list of the people from the LGBT community to Mr. Rushby of
Moral Guardian of Australia. However, after providing the list, it has been seen
that some of the people from this community has been attacked. If we can see
these incidents from the act of utilitarianism, the actions are not ethical as the
consequences they produce do no provide greater happiness to the most of
the people.
While joining the organization Sophie Ryder has signed an agreement of not
disclosing the details of the functionalities of Reaper. However, she violated
the agreement by using the Reaper for other organization. Apart from that the
Richard is not satisfied and agreed with the activities of the team led by
Sophie. But, team did not pay attention to the Richard’s opinion. According to
the act of deontology, these practices are not legal and ethical as these acts
does not reflect ethical practices.
From the attributes of rights, the practices of Alex is not ethical. It is the right
of the interns to get paid for their work. However, Alex is thinking to pay the
interns. If they left the job he will going to hire new interns and make them
work without pay.
Virtue theory implies the individual’s ability to think ethically. According to this
theory, the thinking of Alex is not ethical. He is aware about his work and the
consequences of his work. However, he is not trying to be ethical and is
continuing his unethical work for gaining the profits.
5.1. Technology Ethics
Need of ethics: The application of the ethics is needed for maintaining the
transparency of the practices in the organization. Apart from that the use of
the ethical practices will encourage the employees to adopt the right way for
the compilation of the work. Moreover, if the organization faces any issues, it
can clarify the actions taken through the theory of ethics.
Ethical dilemma faced: In some of the cases, we have faced ethical dilemmas.
In the case of Sophie, it has been seen that she is against the unethical
practices. However, she cannot take the position of the whistle blower in the
organization. That cost her career a great hurdle. Due to the allegations
against her, the career of Sophie affected badly. In order to evaluate the
Sophie’s situation we can face the ethical dilemma.
Use of the Reaper: The organization founded by Alex used the Reaper
without taking permission from the Firestone Associates. The permission is
needed to be taken as the Firestone Associate is the organization who
commissioned the use of the Reaper. It can be said that the violation of the
ethics for using the technology has occurred in this case.
5.2. The Ethical Technologist
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