Is the ICT industry ethically challenged?
Is the ICT industry ethically challenged?
Feb 17, 2005: The Australian Computer Society (ACS) and the ACS Foundation has partnered with the Australian Government’s Australian Research Council (ARC) the Centre of Applied Philosophy and Public Ethics (CAPPE) and its membership universities to fund a $900,000 research program assessing ethics and regulation in the ICT industry.
The ACS has described the ARC grant allocation as a major coup for the society and its partners, given that humanities-focused research projects usually account for only 16 percent of university grants programs.
The study is the first planned analysis of how a work environment influences ethical behaviour within the ICT sector. Privacy, autonomy and enforcement issues are just some of the hot topics that will be on the radar during the three year study.
The primary outcome of the study is the creation of a practical and professional ethical and regulatory model that could become a quality standard across the industry here and overseas. Other potential outcomes of the program include:
- A comprehensive review of the existing legislation, corporate regulations and codes of conduct for the industry;- Assessment of the role of professional societies such as the ACS in respect to internal disciplinary measures;- Guidelines for developing ICT systems with ethical and social considerations inbuilt;- A blueprint for the creation of ‘ethical impact statements’ (similar to environmental impact statements);- Assessing the ACS Code of Ethics and whether it needs to change from its current software engineering focus to be more broadly representative of the wider interests in the ICT sector.
Charles Sturt University will administer the three year study titled ‘Ethics and Regulation in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Industry’.
ACS Foundation executive director, John Ridge said the project has the potential to provide some significant outcomes not only for the Australian ICT sector, but also for our overseas peers.
“The ACS is proud to be working with CAPPE and the Australian Research Council with this visionary initiative. It is the first time that ethics and regulations have been explored within the ICT industry globally, so it is a huge milestone that Australia is taking this forward.
“As ICT continues to gathers pace as an industry, the impact of technology is now so far reaching we can’t afford to ignore its social and ethical influence - particularly in the privacy sphere.
“Past work in this area has been risk-assessment based rather than looking at real world operations and engaging with staff involved in these systems. We are hoping this project will lead to real, pragmatic systems that prevent corruption from occurring within the workplace.
“It’s exciting that this pioneering research will have more practical findings and tangible methods of engaging with ICT practitioners both today and in the future.”
Professor John Weckert of CSU, a key player within both CAPPE and the ACS, is driving the research project with international colleague, Dr Jerome van den Hoven.
“The study will enable tertiary ICT students to become involved with new methodology that will help them when they graduate and step into the industry,” said Professor Weckert. “Once the research has been completed, ICT practitioners will be able to access the innovative research via policy papers online."
Professor Weckert said the project will also consider what constitutes an ICT professional, since the ICT profession is full of people who use ICT but are members of other professions.
The ACS, through the ACS Foundation, is providing over $70,000 in cash and in-kind services each year, channelled through the ACS Foundation. CAPPE is matching the ACS contribution – substantially through the involvement of its staff and resources – and then the ARC is matching the total combined contribution in cash.
This research grant was one of 16 the ARC selected late last year. Research grants are chosen through a strict selection process, with successful applicants demonstrating how they will continue to develop Australian society and the community. Science and Engineering normally take up the majority share of grants funding – the ACS feels that this new grant highlights the growing relevance and impact of ICT as an industry.
The ACS is keen to involve members interested in the project and will be calling for participants shortly, with a range of options for contribution.
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