Reference no: EM131884513

Course Textbook(s) Reynolds, G. W. (2015). Ethics in information technology (5th ed.). Boston, MA: Cengage Learning

Part 1: What Would You Do?

The purpose of this exercise is for you to practice applying the skill of integrating ethics into the decision-making process. On page 30 of the textbook, review #5 in the "What Would You Do?" section, and describe how you would handle the situation.

Outline your response by using the five-step decision-making process as described in Chapter 1. Use your critical-thinking skills, and compose your response in your own words. Your response to Part 1 should be at least one page.

Part 2: Case #2: Ethical and Business Setbacks for Nokia

The purpose of this exercise is for you to identify how an ethical school of thought relates to an IT scenario. Analyze Case #2 that begins on page 32 of the textbook, and answer the discussion questions that follow the case. In addition to answering the discussion questions, briefly identify the major ethical schools of thought (or approaches) discussed in this unit (see page 22 in the textbook).

Next, identify which one you prefer. Additionally, identify which school of thought you used in answering each of the discussion questions and how it applies. Your response to Part 2 should be at least one page. Be sure to use your critical-thinking skills and your own words to answer each question.

You will combine both Part 1 and Part 2 together in one document and submit it for grading in Blackboard. Ensure you label your responses as Part 1 and Part 2. Cite the textbook in APA on a reference page for this assignment. The reference page does not count toward meeting the total page requirement for this assignment.

Discussion Questions

1. Were Nokia's leaders acting unethically when they moved their facilities from Germany to Romania and from Romania to Asia, or was this a legitimate business decision to reduce costs and improve profits? How does this decision compare with Nokia's actions in Iran?

2. Why did Nokia's customer base in Europe and Iran react to the company's decisions by withdrawing patronage? Do customers always respond to unethical decisions in this way?

3. How difficult is it to ensure ethical decision making in a business that is organized as a "network of equals"? How does this impact accountability? Does this explain why Nokia kept the investigation secret?

TABLE 1-5 Summary of four common approaches to ethical decision making

Principle Virtue ethics approach The ethical choice best reflects moral virtues in yourself and your community.

Utilitarian approach The ethical choice produces the greatest excess of benefits over harm.

Fairness approach The ethical choice treats everyone the same and shows no favoritism or discrimination.

Common good approach The ethical choice advances the common good.