Case Study: Chapter 10

Ethics of IT Organizations

VIGNETTE “Problems with Suppliers”

Questions to consider:

1.     How can an organization ensure that all the members of its supply chain will behave ethically?

Ans: create a list of guidelines for those involved in your supply chain to ensure at every point, suppliers are observing best practice. Find out from your suppliers how they handle the rest of their waste, as well. Electrical items should be disposed of in accordance with the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) directive, which says all electronic equipment, should be disposed of at no cost by the manufacturer. If your suppliers aren't following best practice, it will reflect badly on your own business.

2.     What responsibility does an organization have to ensure that its suppliers and business partners behave ethically?

Ans: Customers who work more closely with suppliers will also be able to create a more responsive supply chain that can meet final demand in a timely manner.

 Manufacturers Compete on Green Computing

 Discussion questions:

1.     How have green computing efforts lowered the total cost of computer ownership?

Ans: As a result of green computing efforts, the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) of servers and computer systems has decreased significantly over time. [Each of green computing 93%+ efficient systems, comparing to others equipped with traditional 70% to 80% efficient power supplies, can save up to $200 to $500 per year depending on configuration and usage. Alternatively, this savings can provide a reduction of more than half a metric ton of carbon dioxide emissions from the generation of electric power from fossil fuels. These savings add up quickly when a Super Blade chassis is fully populated with 10 servers. By eliminating the overhead in 1U discrete servers and using high-efficiency (up to 93%) power supplies, the Super Blade? can save customers between $700 and $1,000 per year in power - even more when lower cooling costs are included. And the carbon dioxide emissions are reduced by more than 5.5 metric tons - the equivalent to planting 1.7 acres of trees.]

Source: http://www.weegy.com/?ConversationId=9771CF9C

2.     Which approach can yield greater benefits-building greener computers or implementing programs that change users’ behavior so they operate their computers in a more responsible manner?  Explain your response.

Ans: In my opinion implementing programs that change users? behavior so that they operate their computers in a more responsible manner is the best approach that can yield greater benefits, in the manner that such programs will definitely change the attitude of every individual in the working environment with regards to operational procedures of computers thus resulting to responsibility education to the manpower through green operation that will in turn minimize the greenhouse effect to the whole world itself.

3.     Do research at the EPEAT Web site and determine which computer manufacturer currently has the best green computing ratings.

Ans: For me the computer manufacturer currently has the best green computing ratings are Apple.

Case Study: Chapter 9

Twitter Emerges as News Source for Iran protesters

Questions to consider:

1.     Many people question the value of Twitter’s goal of helping people stay connected in real time. Do the events in Iran illustrate the potential value to society of social networking tools such as Twitter? Are there other ways that Twitter and other social networks could be used by people and organizations to add real value?

Ans: Twitter is an online social networking service and micro blogging service that enables its users to send and read text-based posts of up to 140 characters, known as "tweets". Also the Facebook is an online social networking directory that connects people with friends and others who work, study and live around them. People use Facebook to keep up with friends, upload an unlimited number of photos, share links and videos, and learn more about the people they meet.

2.     How trustworthy is the information one gleans from social networks such as Twitter?

Ans: Twitter is owned by the company called Obvious. They don't have many products, just Twitter. They operate a blog. It was opened publicly in July 2006 and it’s their only international product currently.

Social Networking Disasters for Dominos

 Discussions question:

1.     Some observers believe that if an organization does not respond to an attack on its brand within the first 24 hours, then the damage has been done—lack of management response is judged as an admission of guilt. Others feel that some time is required to gather facts and figure out what happened before responding. With the advantage of 20/20 hindsight, how might Domino’s have reacted more effectively?

Ans:

2.     Do you find it unusual that Domino’s response was primarily through the online media rather than the usual printed press releases? Does this seem an effective and appropriate way to respond under these circumstances? Why or why not? Does Domino’s use of the online media set a precedent for others to follow in the future?

Ans:

3.     Identify three lessons that other companies could learn from Domino’s experience.

Ans: Once they became aware (more on how long this took later), the company worked to get the videos removed from the original hosting provider (doesn’t matter, as they have since been uploaded to other sites). Dominos then responded with email communications from Tim McIntyre, Vice President of Communications. He indicated how repulsed he was, and described that their security team was going to look into the matter to identify which store and responsible individuals.

Source: http://www.kenburbary.com/2009/04/dominos-learning-painful-lessons-about-the-social-era/