Case Study 11 – Pico PC’s Manufacturing Company

ACS Code of Ethics:

1. Enhancement of quality of life:

Jane and her company hold the responsibility for producing qualified inventory software that is crucial to the shoe manufacturing company operations (ACS, 2014).

2. Honesty:

Jane and her company should not misrepresent the inventory software. They should be honest with their client by intimating the defects prior to the delivery (ACS, 2014).

3. Competence:

Jane and her company could be referred as competent and hard working if they strive to produce the best inventory software which does not have any defects and add value to the IT operations of the client (ACS, 2014).

ACS Code of professional conduct:

1.2.1(c) Advice your stake holders as soon as possible of any conflicts of interest or conscientious objections you have (ACS, 2014).

Jane’s employer should intimate the conflict of interest that has risen between them, about that single defected module which is suspected by Jane.

1.2.2(d) Attempt to increase the feelings of personal satisfaction, competence, and control of those affected by your work (ACS, 2014).

Jane’s employer should regard the feelings of self satisfaction, and proficiency of the quality of product or service they agreed with their client and other stakeholders.

1.2.3(b) Not knowingly mislead a client or potential clients so as to the sustainability of a product or service (ACS, 2014).

Jane and her employer should not intentionally misguide their client with regard to the sustainability of a product or service they offer since Jane has already suspected a defect and intimated it to her employer.

1.2.3(c) Give realistic estimates for projects under your control (ACS, 2014).

Jane and her employer should provide sensible evaluations to the shoe manufacturing company for the inventory software project they are handling.

1.2.4(e) Advise your stakeholders when you believe a proposed project, product or service is not in their best interest (ACS, 2014).

Jane and her employer should intimate the client about the defect in the inventory system software, how the damage is posed and should suggest an appropriate solution to resolve it.

Australian Legislation:

In this case study since the Jane’s company has already passed the required tests that are in agreement with the client company, there are no legal issues arising according to the Australian Legislation.

Thomas whites approach of resolving an ethical dilemma:

Step 1: Analyse the consequences (Whites. T, 1993):

Case 1: If she signs the document:

· Who will be helped?

The employer, since his company reputation sustains due to in time project delivery.

· Who is affected?

The client, since his company operations may be affected due to flaw in the software.

· Long term hurts

The client’s operations may be affected by the defects present in the inventory system in future. In such case it damages the reputation of Jane’s company for not intimating these flaws prior to the delivery.

· Short term gains:

The employer of Jane’s company may receive good appreciation and reputation for delivering the project on time.

Case 2: If she does not sign the document:

· Who will be helped?

The client company, they are able to know the flaws in the inventory system prior to its implementation.

· Who is affected?

The employer of Jane, may lose his reputation for raising the flaws in the software during the point of delivery.

Jane may be at risk of losing her job if she disobeys her employer.

· Long term hurts:

Jane’s employer loses his reputation for delaying the project delivery.

Jane may lose her job for not obeying the employer.

· Short term gains:

The client may be happy with the ethics of Jane and her company and letting know before integration of the software with flaws into their operations.

Step 2: Analyse the actions (Whites. T, 1993):

· Jane could simply sign the document as per her employer’s instruction which obeys the moral principle like respecting others dignity, but it is against the honesty principle.

· Jane could reject to sign the document which means she is disobeying her employer but being honest to her ethics.

· Jane and her employer could come to an agreement where they can raise this issue straight in front of the client and let him know the situation and the corresponding consequences.

Step 3: Make A Decision (Whites. T, 1993):

· Jane could convince her employer to consider the damage that happens to the reputation of the company in long run. The employer should propose the situation and suggest to implement the project on time but to give certain period of time to fix the pending issue.

References

Australian Computer Society (2014). ACS code of professional conduct. Retrieved from: https://www.acs.org.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0014/4901/Code-of-Professional-Conduct_v2.1.pdf

White.T (1993). Resolving an ethical dilemma. Retrieved from: http://bourbon.usc.edu/engr102-f09/ethics.pdf

Australian Computer Society (n.d). Managing Ethical dilemma. Retrieved from: http://learn2.acseducation.edu.au/mod/book/view.php?id=35056&chapterid=24253

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