Chapter 7 Impact of Information Technology

Agenda Shneiderman’s Plagues of the Information era Ethics Issues Corporate Code of IT Ethics Other Impacts

Shneiderman’s Plagues of the Information Age Ben Shneiderman –Univ. Maryland (College Park) –Computer Science –Human Factors Institute –System Philosopher

Plagues Anxiety –“Computer shock” –“Terminal terror” –“Network neurosis” Alienation –Less connected to other people –“Whose voice is that, anyway”

Plagues Impotence of individual –Everyone treated the same –No special treatment for exceptions Bewildering complexity and speed –Windows 2002? –Pentium

Plagues Organizational fragility Invasion of privacy –Retail database Unemployment and displacement –Clerks/typesetters –VP - mortgage loan decision replaced by Expert System (ES)

Plagues Lack of responsibility –“Sorry, the computer won’t let me ________.” Deteriorating image of people –“Intelligent terminals” –“Expert systems” –“Maybe they’ll keep us as pets.”

Agenda Shneiderman’s Plagues of the Information era Ethics Issues Corporate Code of IT Ethics Other Impacts

Ethics Issues IT increases, particularly in processing and storage, have led to increases in: –Numbers of mistakes –Computer crime –Invasion of privacy –Unethical behavior

Computer Crime Add / delete / modify inputs Modify / develop programs that commit a crime Alter / modify data files Operate IT in a way to commit a crime Divert / misuse valid output Role of auditor

Security / Privacy Security is protection of data which, if wrongly disseminated, may damage organizational goals (e.g., profit) Privacy is protection of data which, if wrongly disseminated, may damage individuals. Natural motivation to protect security Must have laws to protect privacy

Mason’s PAPA Model Privacy Accuracy Property Access

Privacy What information about individuals should be revealed? What safeguards are in place to protect a person’s privacy? What information can a person keep private and confidential, and not be forced to reveal to others?

Accuracy Who is responsible for data accuracy? Who is accountable / liable for inaccurate data? What safeguards have been established to ensure accuracy? What can individuals do to ensure that data stored on them is accurate?

Property Who owns the information? Who has the right to buy or acquire the information? How should access to intellectual property be regulated? Who places a value on intellectual property?

Intellectual Property Rights Trade secrets –Software, if not in public domain Copyright –1980 Computer Software Copyright Act Patent –1981 Supreme Court decision allowed software to be patented

Access What information does a person have a right to access? What safeguards exist for information access? How do we guarantee equal access across social and economic groups?

Agenda Shneiderman’s Plagues of the Information era Ethics Issues Corporate Code of IT Ethics Other Impacts

Corporate Code of IT Ethics Laudon and Laudon, 1996 Issues that must be addressed –Information rights / obligations –Property rights / obligations –Accountability and control –System quality –Quality of life

Info Rights / Obligations Employee privacy Workplace monitoring Treatment of corporate information Policies on customer information

Property Rights Software licenses Ownership firm data / facilities Ownership employee software created on firm’s hardware Software copyrights

Accountability / Control Single person responsible for all IT Reporting persons responsible for: –Individual rights –Property rights –System quality –Quality of life Potential liabilities of system / corporation officers

System Quality Errors that can be tolerated –System warranties Measurement methodology –Collection –Reporting

Quality of Life IT purpose to improve quality of life for customers and employees Achieve high levels of: –Product quality –Customer service –Employee satisfaction –Human dignity

Agenda Shneiderman’s Plagues of the Information era Ethics Issues Corporate Code of IT Ethics Other Impacts

Organizations Structure (E-commerce) –Multination & culture –Flatter organizational hierarchies Management –Telecommuting –Authority, power, & status (expert systems)

Individual Telecommuting –Satisfaction –Dehumanization & psychological Health –Ergonomics

Points to Remember Shneiderman’s Plagues of the Information era Ethics Issues Corporate Code of IT Ethics Other Impacts

Discussion Questions What are your suggestions to regulate the usage (privacy issues) of customer data by a business? Who will be responsible for the information error produced by an organization? What policy does your organization have in terms of privacy and security issue?

Assignment Review technology guides 1,2,4 & chapters 1- 7 Read chapter 8 Exam 1: 10/16/01 Group assignment 2 due date: 10/16/01 Research paper