Computer Applications: Business Ethics: Then & Now
*multinationals made rules *anti-corruption efforts grew *rules enacted by Non-governmental Organizations affected business *corporate social responsibility emphasized
Business ethics development
*ERC founded *Federal Corrupt Practices Act passed in 1977 *increased compliance with laws *ethics moved from compliance orientation to values-centered
Business ethics development in 1970:
*U.S. Code of Ethics for Government Service-1980 *ERC forms first businesses ethics office at General Dynamics-1985 *Defense Industry Initiative-1986 *False Claims Act
Business ethics development in 1980:
*federal sentencing guidelines-1991 *Global Sullivan Principles-1999 *IGs requiring voluntary disclosure *ERC established international business ethics centers
Business ethics development in 1990:
*social unrest *anti-war sentiment *adversarial employee/management relationship *values shifted away from loyalty to an employer and toward loyalty to ideals *old values cast aside
Ethical climate in 1960:
*major industries riddled by scandal *economic recession *unemployment escalated *heightened environmental concerns *public pushed for corporate accountability
Ethical climate in 1970:
*employer/employee social contract redefined *defense contractors conformed to stricter rules *corporations downsized *loyalty toward employer eroded *healthcare emphasized
Ethical climate in 1980:
*global expansion brought new ethical challenges *major concerns about child labor, bribes and environmental issues *birth of the Internet *cultural borders challenged
Ethical climate in 1990:
*unprecedented economic growth *digital economy opened borders *personal data sold openly *e-commerce posed new ethical problems *hackers plague businesses and government agencies
Ethical climate in 2000:
*environmental issues *increased employee/employer tension *civil rights issues *honesty *work ethic changes
Ethical dilemmas in 1960:
*employee militancy (employee vs. management mentality) * human rights (forced labor, sub-standard wages unsafe practices) *some corporations chose to cover rather than correct problems
Ethical dilemmas in 1970:
*bribes and illegal contracting *influence peddling *deceptive advertising *financial fraud (savings and loan scandal) *transparency issues
Ethical dilemmas in 1980:
*unsafe working conditions in third-world countries *increased corporate liability for personal damages *financial mismanagement and fraud
Ethical dilemmas in 1990:
*cyber crime *privacy issues *product quality *international financial fraud *loss of privacy *employees versus employers *intellectual property theft
Ethical dilemmas in 2000:
- e-mail - Internet - telecommuting - cellular phones - robots
Technology Advances in the Workplace include the following:
-privacy and confidentiality breaches -using company property for personal use -ownership disputes about electronic information
Technology Advances in the Workplace raise ethical issues, such as:
