Teaching IT Ethics in Arabic Countries Approaches and Attitudes Research Paper

Teaching IT Ethics in Arabic Countries Approaches and Attitudes - Research Paper Example Thus maintaining ethical codes of conduct for the uses of computers or information systems has become a necessary aspect in every institutional organization. This study focuses on the ethical measures reflected in the information technology within organizations in the Arab countries particularly highlighting the region of Saudi Arabia. It considers certain literature reviews as well as focused on some of the companies to unlearn the present scenario of ethical practices in information technology uses, and hence conducted a detailed analysis on the ethical structure of information systems in Saudi Arabian organizations. Keywords: Computers, Information technology, Ethics, Business organizations List of Abbreviations: IT: Information Technology NCS: National Computer Systems Introduction:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In the current global scenario, information technology can be found to have advanced to a great extent. Companies require performing under different rules and policies (Northcu tt, 2004, p.4). With greater advancements, the use of computers and the IT systems have become very uncomplicated and easy for the users to exchange information. However, attitudes towards the ethical issues have been found to alter amongst the users in the modern organizations and several unethical practices are being prevalent. Often acquaintances may create circumstances where a person tends to get influenced to follow unethical practices. IT proficient organizational members are capable of controlling information systems and hence can manipulate the system procedures. To put a control on such issues, several institutions in developed countries are endorsing ethical codes that the professionals are required to follow. The absence of ethical codes in computers and IT reflects the threats of the users getting involved in â€Å"privacy and software piracy† (Information Resources Management Association, 1994, p.428). The ethical codes in computers and information technology ad minister and control the use of computers, networks and information systems. The ethical issues that generally arise in this respect include unlawful use of computers, theft in computer software, hardware or other process systems, privacy issues as well as use of any material that may be unacceptable in the organizational culture. Thus, organizations need to focus on the codes of ethics to control these measures (Shelly, Cashman, Gunter & Gunter, 2007, p.484). The study has taken into consideration certain literature reviews and a few companies in the region of Saudi Arabia have been taken as case studies reflecting the ethical practices in business organizations on the use of computers and information technology.   Research Framework:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  To study the ethical codes maintained in organizations in Saudi Arabia in the context of the use of computers and IT, this report focuses on certain theoretical study work based on the institutional theories on IT and organiz ational learning to provide with a fundamental understanding on the ethical issues related to information systems. Moreover, the research focuses on some of the selected organizations from Saudi Arabia to reflect on the current scenario of ethical practices in Saudi Arabia. The use of IT has developed largely in a short period of time spreading across the globe in different regions providing high quality services to its users. The broadening of the information syste