Outcome 2

Ethics – Business, IT and Engineering Perspectives

Business Ethics - Meaning• It is the application of ethical and moral

principles in a business.• It deals with what is right and what is wrong

while doing business.• This applies to all business operations such as –Manufacturing,– Sales, –Marketing,–Accounting, etc.

Purposes of Business(or) Objectives of Business

• Earning profits.• Providing services to the society.

Social objectives of business

• Provide Quality goods and services.• Sell at reasonable price.• Provide employment opportunities.• Utilize scarce national resources properly.• Welfare of employees.

Ethical Principles of Business

1. Keenness to earn lawful earning.2. Trade through mutual consent.3. Trustworthiness in business transactions.4. Honoring and fulfilling business obligations.5. Fair treatment of workers.

1. Keenness to earn lawful earning

• According to Islam, a businessman must earn only through lawful (halal) means.

• He should not earn through illegal (haram) means.• He should distance himself from matters which are

doubtful.

Interest

• Interest is the extra money the moneylender charges from the borrower for deferred payment.

• All forms of Riba are illegitimate.

• It involves both oppression and exploitation.

2. Trade through mutual consent

• Mutual consent between parties is a necessary condition for the validity of a business transaction.

• Follow a sale under coercion is not acceptable.

• A sales transaction is to be regarded as legal only if it is made through mutual consent of both the buyer and seller.

3. Trustworthiness in business transaction

• It is a moral virtue.• It demands sincerity in work and purity of intention

from every believer.

4. Honoring and fulfilling business obligations

• A businessman should keep up his trusts, promises, and contracts.

Trustworthiness

5. Fair treatment of workers

• The relation between employer and employees should be harmonious.

• Employer should take care of the overall welfare and betterment of his employees.

Ethical responsibilities of employer towards employees

• Fair treatment of employees and fair salaries.• Give suitable work for the suitable person.• Pay on time.• Provide good working condition.• Care about health and safety of employees.• Give relaxation for employees (engaged in manual

and hard work)• Give relaxation in working hours during peak

summer and in the holy month of Ramadhan.

Ethical responsibilities of employer towards employees

• Give clear details of the job.• Do not discriminate between and among employees.• Train the employees.

Prohibited Matters in Business

1. Dealing in prohibited (Haram) items.2. Sale of uncertain items.3. Randomly fixing the prices.4. Hoarding of foodstuff. withhold5. Cheating (Al-Ghashsh) and fraud in business

transactions.6. Swearing. 7. Giving short measures.8. Dealing in stolen goods.

Information Technology and Ethics

IT ethics is defined as • the application of ethical principles to the use of

computer or information technology.

IT ethics deals with proper use of technology devices, data, services, and software.

Ethical issues related to IT

• Privacy• Security• Copyright• Protection • Intellectual freedom• Accountability• Hacking • Virus creation• Software piracy

Ethical problems related to computers

• Privacy of the individual• Software piracy• Hacking and cracking• Virus creation• Email spam

Examples for unethical practices in IT

• Employers struggle to balance the need to manage company assets with employees’ desire.

• People download music and movies at no charge (violation of copy right laws).

• Companies send unwanted emails as a part of their marketing strategy.

Examples for unethical practices in IT

• Hackers break into databases of financial and retail institutions to steal customer information to make false purchases.

• Students download material from the web to plagiarize.

Ethical policy for IT professionals

1. Shall not use a computer to harm others.2. Shall not interfere with others’ computer

network.3. Shall not watch others’ files.4. Shall not use a computer to steal.5. Shall not use a computer to bear false

witness.6. Shall not use or copy unpaid software.

Ethical policy for IT professionals

7. Shall not use others’ computer resources without authorization.

8. Shall not use others’ intellectual output.9. Shall think about the social consequences of

your program.10. Shall use a computer in ways that show

consideration and respect.

Engineering Ethics

Engineering ethics is concerned with the personal conduct of engineers.

The services provided by engineers require honesty, impartiality, fairness and equity.

Services of engineers

• The services of engineers require honesty, impartiality, fairness and equity.

• Engineers must be dedicated to the protection of the public health, safety and welfare.

• They must perform standard of professional behavior.

Ethical Responsibilities of Engineers

1. Self as a professional2. Employer 3. Client (customer)4. Colleagues and co-workers5. Public (society)6. Environment

Ethical Principles for Engineers• Hold highest standards of honesty and integrity.• Hold paramount of the safety, health and

welfare of the public.• Acknowledge their errors and shall not distort

or alter the facts.• Hold the dignity and integrity of the profession.• Perform services only in areas of their

competence.• Avoid deceptive acts.

Engineering Disasters

1. The Chernobyl disaster (Russia)2. Union Carbide Gas leakage (India)3. Bridge and building collapses in many

countries.4. Air line crashes in many countries.

Chernobyl Disaster – 1986 – Russia

• Occurred on 26th April 1986.• An explosion happened.• Fire released large quantities of radioactive

particles into the atmosphere.• Resulted in death of several people.• Left thousands with acute health hazards.

Union Carbide Gas leakage – 1984 – India

• Killed 10,000 people.• Injured 500,000 people.