Loraine J Jackson MAN5066 12 Individua

Individual Work Two Week Six – Discussion Questions
Managerial Ethics – 5066 Loraine J Jackson
Everest University

Discussion Questions 1-5 page 296
1. Are there any benefits or negative side effects of technology in business that have not been mentioned in this chapter? Discuss. There are benefits of technology in different areas of business. For instance, in a medical practice, patient information is stored electronically, and crucial data can be transmitted instantaneously when necessary. In addition, in other aspects of the business world, information can be accessed easily via the technology of the Internet to inform one business about another; a good example is Hoover’s.com. Technology allows businesses to store massive amounts of client information and other files in data warehouses to cut down on renting storage space and also lowers paper costs. One last benefit of technology is communication; businesses can communicate instantaneously nationwide and globally. Negative side effects include the cost of technology for smaller businesses. Software can be expensive initially, and there are also the cost of continuing maintenance as well as updating equipment and the cost of training. In addition, there will be the risk for cybercrime with increased technology. While communication can be beneficial, it also has a down side. With technology comes Email, text messaging, or instant messaging, instant messages, there may be inaccuracy with this type of communication. There could be misunderstandings due to the inability to view body language, tone, or other gestures as a point of reference.
2. Do you agree that society is intoxicated with technology? Does this pose special problems for business with respect to the ethics of technology? Will such intoxication blind people to ethical considerations in business?
I do feel as a society we are obsessed with technology to a point, and I am not immune. We have many electronic devices in my home including four computers, two tablets, and three smartphones. There are three individuals in my household. This being said, in the business world, we need to know when we technology should be put on hold; we need to discover the proper balance with technology in both personal and business aspects of our lives. What we must do is: “Embrace technology that preserves our humanity and reject technology that intrudes upon it (Carroll, 2012, p. 274)”. I do believe that the obsession with technology can pose a problem if parameters are not defined concerning the proper use of technology in the workplace. It should be clearly defined and understood the stance the business has on the use of technology during business hours. Additionally, I feel ethical matters and the consequences should be frequently gone over with all individuals in a business. Reasons being, an individual may realize through technology usage there are certain enticements made available. On the other hand, laws and regulations such as the Sarbanes Oxley Act should be a great deterrent to employees who are tempted to with unethical considerations.
3. Do you think business is abusing its power with respect to invasion of privacy of both consumers and employees? What about surveillance? Which particular practice do you think is the most questionable? I do not feel that business abuse its power in regard to invasion of privacy. I think there are some instances where surveillance is needed and applicable; however, as indicated in our text, employees are becoming more and more concerned about the degree that an employer will go to as far as monitoring work-related activities and perhaps their personal lives. Because surveillance can produce stress, there very well may be an unfavorable bearing on performance and/or productivity (Carroll, 2012, p. 282). I feel that an employer has a right to monitor employees while they are on business time. For instance, employees should not send an Email to a relative or friend, or log into their Instagram or Facebook account, while working. The argument for surveillance is to increase productivity, protecting company hardware and data from hackers and viruses and to decrease possible litigation, liabilities, and lawsuits. In addition, it can help to protect consumer personal information and credit information from falling into the wrong hands and to protect consumers from identity theft, for example. I feel the most questionable is the extent employers go to in the surveillance on employees such as using GPS technology to monitor their location via their smartphone. If it is a company issued phone, this may be acceptable on some level, but not a personal phone.
4. Is it an exaggeration to question the ethical implications for business of cell phone and text-messaging use? Discuss both sides of this issue. From my personal standpoint, I do not feel it is exaggerated. When an employee uses a cell phone in conducting business, and there is not a day that goes by when I see an individual talking on their cell phone or texting while driving, they are not only putting their lives in danger, but the lives of other innocent individuals (Carroll, 2012, p. 286). However, there are legitimate reasons for an employee to use cell phones during hours of operation for a business, such as an emergency with a child or an elderly family member or an accident and a manager/supervisor should be able to distinguish this and unauthorized usage and take all into consideration. On the other hand, when an employee sends a text message or used their cell phone, during normal business hours, it can be considered time from the organization. The employee is being paid for their time and the business expects a return from their employees.
5. Do you think genetically modified foods raise a legitimate safety hazard? Should government agencies such as the FDA take more action to require safety testing? What about warning labels? Do you think warning labels would unfairly stigmatize GMFs and make consumers question their safety? Is this fair to the GMF industry? Biotechnology involves “using biology to discover, develop, manufacture, market, and sell products and services (Carroll, 2012, p. 288). While biotechnology points toward significant potential for in themedical field and the enhancement of life and health for all humankind, it raises particular ethical concerns. One such concern is the labeling of genetically modified foods. Currently, the FDA does not require labeling of GMFs, however, there are new regulations in which biotech companies must meet with federal regulators before putting a new product on the market, but they would not require special product labels (Carroll, 2012, p. 294). I do not think the warning labels would stigmatize GMFs unfaily; I feel as a consumer, I have the right to know the food me and my family consume is safe at all levels, and I have the right to choose whether or not to purchase these products, therefore, there should be labels. My personal opinion is that it is not unfair. The FDA regulates and labels food for consumption on ingredients, calories, and other nutrition information, labeling GMF should be no different.

Reference
Carroll, A. B. (2012). Business and Society: Ethics, Sustainability, and Stakeholder Management (8 ed.). Mason, Ohio: South-Western: Cengage Learning. Retrieved November 21, 2014