Read The Following Description Of A Situation In The IS Depa

Read The Following Description Of A Situation In The IS Departmentmar

Read the following description of a situation in the IS Department: Mark works for the Wonder Mattress Company in the IS department. He is in charge of looking at new technologies that come on the market and determining if they can be used for the company. In doing so, he must do a cost-benefit analysis and then determine if the current personnel can run that technology. If a favorable recommendation is made by Mark, the company usually purchases it. Mark attended an emerging technologies conference and met Lance, a salesman for a new technology Mark was exploring.

After evaluating this technology, he decided not to recommend it to his company. Lance then told him he was authorized to offer him a $10,000 "placement fee" if he implemented the technology in his company. Mark then recommended the technology, and it was installed. Include in your response: • A recommendation of what action the organization should take. • An explanation of what the organization's responsibility should be regarding ethics as it relates to IS. • Justification for your recommendation.

Paper For Above instruction

The scenario involving Mark from Wonder Mattress Company exemplifies a significant ethical dilemma in information systems (IS) management that requires careful analysis and appropriate organizational response. It highlights issues of integrity, transparency, and ethical conduct within the context of technological procurement and the influence of external incentives such as bribes or kickbacks. This paper critically evaluates the situation and offers recommendations aligned with ethical standards in IS, alongside a rationale for the proposed actions.

Recommendation of Organizational Action

The primary recommendation for the organization is to implement a strict ethical policy concerning procurement and technology acquisition that explicitly prohibits accepting any form of bribes, kickbacks, or undisclosed incentives from vendors or salespersons. Additionally, the company should conduct a thorough internal investigation into the circumstances surrounding the decision to adopt the technology, emphasizing transparency and accountability. If evidence suggests misconduct, disciplinary actions, including reprimand or termination, should be enforced to underscore the organization’s commitment to ethical practices.

Furthermore, the company should establish and promote a culture of ethical awareness and integrity through ongoing training programs for all employees involved in procurement or decision-making processes. Whistleblower protections should be put into place to encourage employees to report unethical conduct without fear of retaliation. These measures would help prevent similar incidents and reinforce the organization’s dedication to ethical standards.

Organizational Responsibility Regarding Ethics in IS

Organizations have a fundamental responsibility to uphold high ethical standards in all aspects of their operations, including IS. This responsibility encompasses ensuring that decisions related to technology adoption and implementation are based on objective assessments of benefits, costs, and organizational fit rather than external pressures or incentives. Ethical responsibility also involves promoting honesty, integrity, and accountability among employees and management, thereby fostering a culture where ethical considerations guide decision-making processes.

In the context of IS, ethical responsibility extends to safeguarding data privacy and security, ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory frameworks, and avoiding conflicts of interest that could compromise organizational integrity. Companies must also maintain transparency in their dealings with vendors and external partners, ensuring that decisions are made transparently and in alignment with organizational values and societal expectations.

Justification for the Recommended Actions

The recommendation to enforce a strict anti-bribery policy and conduct internal investigations is justified because accepting a "placement fee" undermines the integrity of the decision-making process. Such conduct constitutes a conflict of interest and potentially violates ethical principles and legal statutes related to corruption and corruption-related practices. Failure to address such misconduct risks damaging the company's reputation, eroding stakeholder trust, and exposing the organization to legal penalties or regulatory sanctions.

Furthermore, fostering a culture of ethical awareness and accountability aligns with the broader responsibilities of organizational leadership to model and enforce ethical standards. Companies recognized for their integrity are more likely to attract and retain ethical employees, maintain strong stakeholder relationships, and achieve sustainable success in competitive markets. According to the Institute of Business Ethics (IBE, 2020), organizations with robust ethical cultures are better equipped to navigate complex decision-making environments and uphold societal trust.

In conclusion, the organization must take decisive action to reaffirm its commitment to ethical standards, particularly concerning procurement practices involving IS technologies. Establishing comprehensive policies, promoting ethical awareness, and ensuring transparent decision-making will mitigate risks and uphold the company’s reputation and integrity.

References

  • Institute of Business Ethics. (2020). Ethical Culture and Corporate Governance. IBE Publications.
  • Ferrell, O. C., Fraedrich, J., & Ferrell, L. (2019). Business Ethics: Ethical Decision Making & Cases. Cengage Learning.
  • Treviño, L. K., & Nelson, K. A. (2017). Managing Business Ethics: Straight Talk about How to Do It Right. Wiley.
  • Kaptein, M. (2011). Understanding unethical behaviour: A comparison of ethical decision-making models. Journal of Business Ethics, 103(4), 561-573.
  • Wallace, R. S. O., & Treviño, L. K. (2015). Business Ethics: Managing Corporate Citizenship and Sustainability in the Age of Globalization. Routledge.
  • Sims, R., & Brinkmann, J. (2003). Enron Ethics (Or: Culture Matters More than Codes). Journal of Business Ethics, 45(3), 243-256.
  • Schwartz, M. S. (2017). Corporate Social Responsibility and Ethical Behavior. Routledge.
  • Chonko, L. B., & Roberts, J. C. (1995). The Ethical Dealer: A Conceptual Model for Improving Ethical Behavior in Salespeople. Journal of Personal Selling & Sales Management, 15(4), 33-39.
  • Carroll, A. B. (1999). Corporate Social Responsibility: Evolution of a Definitional Construct. Business & Society, 38(3), 268-295.
  • Robinson, D. T., & Kruger, J. K. (2012). Ethical Leadership and Organizational Outcomes. Journal of Business Ethics, 112(2), 319-330.

Related Assignments