Reflective Journal: Ethics of Information Technology - Semester 1

This reflective journal reflects on the student's learning experience in a Professional and Ethical Practices course, focusing on the ethics of Information Technology (IT). The journal highlights key concepts such as ethical decision-making frameworks (utilitarian, virtue ethics, fairness, and common good approaches), code of ethics, and moral laws. It discusses the increasing complexity of technology and the rise of cybercrimes, along with relevant legislation like the Spam Act 2003. The student emphasizes the practical application of this knowledge in their future career as an IT professional, including handling ethical dilemmas, understanding the relationships between IT professionals and organizations, and identifying and avoiding unethical practices, such as whistleblowing. The journal also covers the importance of client interactions and the application of ethical principles in various roles within an organization.

Running head: REFLECTIVE JOURNAL ON ETHICS OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Reflective journal on ethics of Information Technology
Name of the student:
Name of the University:
Author note:

1REFLECTIVE JOURNAL ON ETHICS OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
In the past few weeks the chapters, that I learned as a part of my subject Professional
and Ethical practices was extremely useful for me. The chapters taught me the basic concepts
of ethics, code of ethics and moral laws that are extremely necessary in every aspect of life
that includes the professional field as well. The chapters taught me to imply gradual
procedures in making decisions along with an organisation’s responsibility towards the
society. It even comprises the common ethical issues that Information Technology (IT)
professionals often have to deal with. The chapters also provides an insight towards right to
privacy and specific laws that ensure protection of personal data. These have helped me to
gain knowledge of the various aspects, which are related to my profession.
The various concepts and theories are discussed in the chapters, which gives an in-
depth knowledge about the various factors that contribute in an organisations success. For
instance, the four distinctive approaches in ethical decision-making procedures are, the
utilitarian approach in which it ensures that the amount of benefit is comparatively higher
than the amount of harm (Pearson 2017). Another approach named virtue ethics approach
comprises of ethical decision which review the moral virtue of an individual along with the
community he or she belongs to. In fairness approach each individual is treated the same
without any act of favouritism and discrimination (Craft 2013). In addition to it, the common
good approach is useful when an issue involves an entire picture of business environment
(Crossan, Mazutis and Seijts 2013). In contemporary times, cybercrimes are frequent and
there are a number of reasons behind it. One of the key reason is the accelerating complexity
in technology. The establishment of various Acts prohibits certain procedures which may
lead to fraud and other cybercrimes. For instance, the Spam Act 2003 forbids sending of
voluntary generated electronic messages in Australia.
The knowledge which I gained from my course would be extremely useful for me in
my career as an IT professional. The various approaches described in the chapters for ethical

2REFLECTIVE JOURNAL ON ETHICS OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
decision-making could be applied if I face any ethical dilemma in the organisation with
which I am associated with. The distinctive relationships that an IT professional have with
distinctive levels of an organisation provided me with the basic details and the possible issues
that I might face in future. This knowledge will help me prepare as an efficient IT
professional. Moreover, the course also taught me the significance of code of ethics in an
organisation and how I could identify a situation that would be termed as unethical. I even
gained the knowledge of avoiding such unethical practice in an organisation by taking
appropriate steps such as ‘whistle blowing’ and so on. The chapters comprised of various
issues that a client might face and how I can help them to tackle these issues. The knowledge
included in these chapters will help me as an IT professional in my designation along with
my role as an employer in an organisation. I will apply these acquired knowledge in my
career for dealing with issues that I might have to cope with in future.

3REFLECTIVE JOURNAL ON ETHICS OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
References
Craft, J.L., 2013. A review of the empirical ethical decision-making literature: 2004–
2011. Journal of business ethics, 117(2), pp.221-259.
Crossan, M., Mazutis, D. and Seijts, G., 2013. In search of virtue: The role of virtues, values
and character strengths in ethical decision making. Journal of Business Ethics, 113(4),
pp.567-581.
Pearson, R., 2017. Business ethics as communication ethics: Public relations practice and the
idea of dialogue. In Public relations theory pp. 111-131. Routledge.