Understanding the Ethical Aspects ofInformation Systems Development Practices

Due to the ubiquity of computing technology and its malleable nature, ethical issues associated with computing practices in contemporary society have increasingly been subjected to the scrutiny of the general public. This thesis attempts to further clarify the landscape of ethical consideration in information systems development through explicating and specifying ethical concepts, concerns and conducts embedded in the development process. The objective is to enable practitioners concerned to re-evaluate critically information systems and development conducts in ethical terms, and to make sense of the ethical nature of their relevant professional choices and actions. This thesis adopts an interpretative research strategy in its study of ethics and information systems development practices. It consists of both theoretical elaboration on computer ethics and an empirical exploration of ethics in information systems development conduct. The thesis highlights a number of influential theoretical frameworks of conceptualising information ethics through an extensive literature study and philosophical scrutiny. It also explicates the ethical position and approach of certain popularly practised systems development methodologies. A detailed account is presented of a case study conducted on a morally and politically controversial information system development project in China. This system is developed and used by the police in administering Hukou (household registration systems). The case study provides insights into ethical concepts and conduct embedded in the development of information systems. An integrated framework of understanding is synthesised as a result of philosophical elaboration and practical examination of the research. The implications for IS development practice are discussed. Suggestions for further research are also offered at the end of the thesis. The novel integrated framework of understanding developed in the thesis can, and should, facilitate better understanding of the ethical aspects information systems development.

Name dc:type.qualificationname

PhD

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

Doctoral

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

De Montfort University

Year dc:date.issued

2002

Author dc:creator

• Wu, Xiao Jian

Licence

• https://dora.dmu.ac.uk/bitstreams/770016b9-7831-4388-8a36-c47569b26bed/download