Highlights
Background
In this assignment you will discuss the ethics of a real-life technology situation. For the current instance, consider the recent and much publicised case of car maker Volkswagen (VW) and its deliberate use of a software ‘defeat device’ to cheat US diesel emissions tests. By fraudulently altering emission results for a
number of its car models, for many years the company was able to claim an eco-friendly image and encourage drivers seeking a ‘green’ automotive alternative to buy VW. In reality, on the road VW vehicles could produce exhaust emissions (air-pollution) up to 40 times the amount allowed by US regulation. As a project
management student who in future may help guide development of software applications/algorithms for industry, have privileged access to sensitive information or be responsible for introduction of new technology into a market such issues could be quite relevant to your long-term roles and employment activities.
Two descriptive news articles are provided as a base sample along with a few additional links to other articles in Appendix A. However, in order to adequately respond to assignment requirements you are expected to do additional research and better inform yourself in regards this topic.
Tasks and Assessment
This assessment requires that you prepare a report in three parts, answering all of the following questions in each section. You are expected to conceptualise the problem or issue, find relevant references for context, facts, theory and examples and come up with appropriate points of view. Your positions should be supported
with argument and citations as appropriate. Marks will also be awarded for presentation and professionalism of the response.
1) Stakeholder Ethics
a) Identify and outline at least 3 ethical concerns that may be associated with the core situation described in the articles. Why do you believe that these are (or could be) ethical concerns?
b) For each ethical concern nominated in 1(a) - and not including VW management - identify at least two key stakeholders. For each stakeholder attempt to briefly describe the situation and reasoning from their perspective as best you can.
c) For each stakeholder (or stakeholder group) identified in 1(b), select what you believe is the relevant ethical view they have likely taken (i.e. choose from the list of 7 ‘ethical principles’ given on slide 10 of lecture 2). Briefly explain why you attributed that ethical stance to them.
d) For each ethical concern you nominated in 1(a) discuss your own personal view regarding each issue and choose the likely closest fit from within the 7 ‘ethical principles’ to that viewpoint. Would the fact that the USA has some of the tightest emission regulation in the world (e.g. European and Asian nations generally have more lenient targets) encourage you to modify your position? Briefly explain your reasoning for selecting your ethical stance.
e) Compare your views expressed in 1(d) to the positions previously nominated for other stakeholders in 1(c). Discuss any prominent differences/similarities between your own views and those that might be held by these others. Why do you think these differences/similarities exist? Who is most likely to be ‘right’?
2) International Codes of Conduct / Codes of Ethics
Research the Codes of Conduct and Codes of Ethics for Information Technology industry bodies representing Australia (i.e. Australian Computer Society (ACS)) plus two other national or international groups (e.g. Association for Computer Machinery (ACM), Project Management Institute (PMI), Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), British Computer Society (BCS), Computer Society of India (CSI), Institute of IT Professionals New Zealand (IITP), etc.).
Answer the following:
a) In your opinion, and supplying reasoning, what evaluation would each of the three Industry Codes most likely give regarding a company developing software to help its products, under test conditions, present high-performance behaviours when, in more normal-use circumstances, such achievements are simply not attainable? Are such differences significant when, considered on a global scale, measures of acceptable performance vary widely from nation to nation? Reference specific parts of the Code(s)
to support your argument.
b) Compare the Codes of Conduct/Ethics for the three industry bodies. What are the major differences and similarities between the codes you have examined in regard to the case study subject matter? Why do you believe that these differences, similarities or areas of conflict are present? Justify answers with specific references to items within case study examples and the Codes themselves.
3) Report Professionalism and Communication
The report should be written as if meant for a professional audience and not just as an attempt to satisfy an academic course requirement. It should communicate clearly, exhibit attention to detail and present itself to a high standard, including:
Good document structure including:
Report should have numbered pages and good English expression (including punctuation and spelling). FEIT cover sheet should be included at the front of the submission.
Clarity and insight - suitable word count (not counting title page, reference list, etc.), deals properly with each topic without verbosity, shows a depth of analysis;
Appropriate use of quotes, statistics and diagrams (where applicable) backed by properly cited sources. All references should be noted in the reference list at the end of your report and employ correct Harvard/UTS format.
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