Kinh tế học - Chapter 9: Business ethics and technology

© 2015 Cengage Learning1Chapter 9Business Ethics and Technology© 2015 Cengage Learning2Learning OutcomesDiscuss the role that technology plays in our business lives.Gain an understanding of the technological environment and the characteristics of technology that influence business ethics and stakeholders.Identify the benefits and side effects of technology in business.Gain an appreciation of society’s intoxication with technology and the consequences of this intoxication.Learn to differentiate between information technology and biotechnology and their ethical implications for management.Identify the ethical issues involved in biotechnology and present arguments on both sides of the issues.© 2015 Cengage Learning3Chapter OutlineTechnology and the Technological EnvironmentCharacteristics of TechnologyTechnology and EthicsInformation TechnologyBiotechnologySummaryKey Terms© 2015 Cengage Learning4Business Ethics & TechnologyWe live in an age dominated by advancing technology. Each new generation experiences technological advances that were not seen by previous generations.The new generation of young people is called the iGeneration. Technology is part of their DNA, and they have no “off-switch.”Technology is at the core of most businesses, but it is a two-edged sword. Despite many positive advances, there are new problems and challenges. © 2015 Cengage Learning5Technology and the Technological EnvironmentTechnology - The totality of the means employed to provide objects necessary for human sustenance and comfort.A scientific method used to achieve a practical purpose.Technological environment -The total set of technology-based advancements or progress taking place in society. © 2015 Cengage Learning6Characteristics of TechnologyBenefits of Technology - Increased production of goods and servicesReduced amount of labor needed to produce goods and servicesMade labor easier and saferResults in a higher standard of living.© 2015 Cengage Learning7Side Effects of Technology - Technology has some unanticipated side effects: Environmental pollutionDepletion of natural resourcesTechnological unemploymentCreation of unsatisfying jobs8© 2012 South-Western, a part of Cengage LearningChallenges of Technology -New technologies present many challenges to managers, organizations and society.Some side effects cannot be forecast or overcome. Overcoming technological determinism that seems to be driving society today would be helpful. New technology is primarily available in the developed world. Developing nations enjoy few of the benefits of technology available in developed nations. © 2015 Cengage Learning9Technology and EthicsOur perspective is to raise ethical questions that may be related to business development, and the use of technology.Two Key Issues -Technological determinism -The idea that what can be developed will be developed.Ethical lag -Occurs when the speed of technological change far exceeds that of ethical development.© 2015 Cengage Learning10Society’s Intoxication with TechnologyThe symptoms of Society’s intoxication -We favor the quick fix.We fear and worship technology.We blur the distinction between what is real and what is false.We accept violence as normal.We love technology as a toy.We live our lives distanced and distracted.The solution - Find the right balance.© 2015 Cengage Learning11Information Technology12© 2015 Cengage LearningE-Commerce as a Pervasive TechnologyElectronic Commerce -Also called e-commerce, e-business, or Web-based marketing.The Internet has reshaped the way business is conducted.Ongoing Issues in E-Commerce Ethics -AccessIntellectual propertyPrivacy and informed consentProtection of childrenSecurity of informationTrust© 2015 Cengage Learning13Invasion of Consumer Privacy via E-CommerceCookies - Identification tags that Web sites drop on our personal computer hard drives so they can recognize repeat visitors the next time we visit their Web sites.Spam -Unsolicited commercial e-mail. It is sent through "open-relays" to millions of persons.Identity Theft -Tampering with one’s financial accounts.© 2015 Cengage Learning14© 2015 Cengage Learning15Business Initiatives with Consumer Privacy Protection16© 2015 Cengage LearningThe Workplace and Computer Technology Surveillance at work raises issues about privacy:Computers -Monitoring website connectionsStoring and reviewing employee computer filesBlocking access to inappropriate websitesTelephone -Monitoring time spent, numbers calledTaping phone conversationsVideo -Video surveillance against theftSurveillance to monitor employee performance© 2015 Cengage Learning17Ten Commandments of Computer Ethics18© 2015 Cengage LearningBiotechnologyBiotechnology -Involves using biology to discover, develop, manufacture, market, and sell products and services. Biotechnology is striving to heal, fuel, and feed the world. Bioethics -A field that deals with the ethical issues embedded in the commercial use of biotechnology.Proceduralism is the primary tool for bioethicists. It is using protocols to ensure that classical safeguards are not violated.© 2015 Cengage Learning19Realms of Biotechnology20Genetic EngineeringGeneticallyModified Foods© 2015 Cengage LearningGenetic Engineering21© 2015 Cengage LearningGenetically Modified Foods (GMFs) Also referred to as genetically engineered foods (GEFs).Fear over health and environmental effects; critics call them “Frankenfoods.”Many U.S. crops are genetically modified:Sugar beets (95%)Soybeans (91%)Cotton (88%)Corn (85%)Most Americans consume genetically modified foods every day.© 2015 Cengage Learning22Labeling of GMFs -Safety of GMFs is not in question, according to scientific research.But one of the most frequently discussed issues with GMFs is labeling.FDA does not mandate GMF labeling in the U.S.The Non-GMO Project believes that people have the right to make informed choices about whether they consume GMF products.© 2015 Cengage Learning23Big Databioethics biometricsbiotechnologybotnet scamchief privacy officercloningcookieselectronic commerceembryonic stems cellsethical laggenetic engineeringgenetic profilinggenetic testinggenetically engineered foods (GEFs)genetically modified foods (GMFs)identity theftinformation technologyonline scamsphishingsocial networking sitesspamtechnological determinismtechnological environmenttechnologytherapeutic cloning© 2015 Cengage Learning24Key Terms