Business ethics

Prepared by :
Mohamed Qamar Abdelmonem
ITI SWE3
 Table of contents:
Definitions
Why ethics is important in
business?
Some ethics issues in IT
business.
The main rules of ethics.
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Ethics For a better
 What does “ethics” mean?
The discipline dealing with what is
good and bad
A theory, system, or set of moral
principles or values
Ethics is beyond law.


Ethics For a better

 Why ethics is important in
business?
To gain the goodwill of the
community
To increase the lifetime of an
organization
Produce safe and effective
products
Provide excellent service &
Maintain customers.

Ethics For a better

 Why ethics is important in
business? (cont’d)
Develop and maintain strong
employee relations
- Suffer less turnover
 - Enjoy better employee morale

Suppliers and other business

partners prefer companies that
operate in a fair and ethical
manner


Ethics For a better

 Some ethics issues in IT
business
Ex1 :
While developing software for a work
project, you get an idea for a product of
your own. Although your product will not
directly compete with the work product, it
deals with the same domain. You decide to
develop your product on your own time, but
on your computer at work.
Legal issues aside, who should own your
product? You? The company? The customer?

Ethics For a better

 Some ethics issues in IT
business (cont’d)
Ex2 :
While developing software for a work
project, you get an idea for a product of
your own. Although your product will not
directly compete with the work product, it
deals with the same domain. You decide to
develop your product on your own time on
your computer at home.
Legal issues aside, who should own your
product? You? The company? The customer?

Ethics For a better

 Some ethics issues in IT
business (cont’d)
EX3 :
A project teammate misleads her (and your)
boss as to the status of the module she is
working on. Are you responsible for this
person’s unethical behavior? If so, what do
you do?

What if the person is a superior?

Ethics For a better

 Some ethics issues in IT
business (cont’d)
EX4 :
A manager of a school want to contract
with you to develop a software managing
hidden cams in the classes to observe
the instructors’ performance.

Would you accept this contract?

Ethics For a better

 Some ethics issues in IT
business (cont’d)
Ex5 :
You are the quality assurance manager
The software has passed all the contracted
tests
◦But many off-nominal conditions untested
◦Some have shown unsafe outcomes
◦You feel more off-nominal testing if
necessary
Company president says if you don’t certify
safety by delivery date, company may go out
of business
◦What should you do?

Ethics For a better

 The main rules of ethics
1.The golden rule:
“Treat others as you want to be
treated”
2.The common principles and
religion.
3.The common good:
“the greatest possible good for
the greatest possible number of
individuals”
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Ethics For a better
 The main rules of ethics
(cont’d)
4.Universalization:
“What may happen if all people
do that action?”
5.Declaration:
“Can you declare this action?”

Ethics For a better

 Thank you
Don’t hesitate to contact me,
mohamedqamar4@gmail.com

Ethics For a better