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THE ROLE OF TECHNOLOGY IN BUSINESS ETHICS
Autumn Mentch
School of Arts, Liberty University
Author Note
Autumn Mentch
I have no known conflict of interest to disclose.
Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Autumn Mentch.
Email: aumentch@liberty.edu
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Introduction
Ninety-three percent of today’s business owners report using at least one type of
technology platform to help run their business and state that is now essential to their business
(US Chamber, 2022). In businesses, technology is a growing necessity. The role of technology
has changed how businesses grow and operate. In businesses, technology is beneficial because it
assists in accounting systems, information management, point of sales, and the overall marketing
of businesses. With all new business practices, technology would be no different with ethics.
Technology plays an important role in businesses but must also follow all ethical protocols and
be able to be trustworthy. Companies are implementing ways to trust technology and avoid
violating ethics in the process. The growth and development of technology in businesses is
actively affecting the direction of business ethics both positively and negatively.
The Need and Role of Technology in Businesses
Technology has been used in businesses since the rise of the nineteenth century. The
impact of technology on businesses was and is greater than anyone could have imagined. With
the rise in the use of technology also came privacy concerns, lack of motivation from employees,
and the risk of focusing on gaining new technology and not building businesses (OK SBDC,
2021).
Businesses that utilize technology platforms directly employ or support the employment
of more than 99.8 million jobs in the U.S. and contribute $17.7 trillion to the economy annually.
The United States Chamber of Commerce conducted a nationwide survey and economic analysis
that was used to measure the effect of technology platforms on businesses. The US Chamber of
Commerce found that 93 percent of today’s businesses report using at least one type of
technology and the average owner using three or more technologies. The businesses that
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completed the survey also found that the technologies being used helped their business perform
more efficiently by 94 percent. Businesses need technology now more than ever because
technology can be used in every single aspect of business. Businesses that incorporate more than
one technology to their business practices are more likely to see their sales, profits, and
employment grow. The survey completed by the US Chamber reports that in the year 2020, 82
percent of businesses saw an increase in sales and 74 percent increase in their employment after
changing all operations to technological systems.
There are many benefits for businesses that use technology. Businesses have more
effective communication, stronger privacy and security, more effective processes for marketing,
and the transmission of information. It would be possible for businesses to not use technology,
but the efficiency of business work would severely decline. Businesses have come so far in the
last 30 years with technology, and it would cause a huge decline in processes if businesses
crossed out technology to avoid ethical issues.
How Does Technology Affect Business Ethics?
The executive technology team with Deloitte state in their article on business ethics
“almost every business is a tech company and there are a lot of ethical challenges involving
technology, and you (businesses) need to be ready to meet them.” Businesses are relying on
technology in this day and age as it has become the way businesses do most of their work.
Businesses use technology to allow employees to clock in and out, track finances, create
spreadsheets, send messages through Microsoft Teams, and everything in between. It is
important for businesses to master ethical challenges that could arise with modern technology.
Fraser Sherman with Chron states, “New technology often has unanticipated
consequences.” With all the new types of technology in this century, it is easy for there to be
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unethical behaviors. Unethical business behaviors include copying clips, music, digital media,
hacking business systems, sharing copyrighted material, and the unethical use of social media.
Social media at the workplace is one of the top five reasons employees get fired, including
posting false information about their company on social media.
The new age technology makes it easy for companies to track everything that their
employees do. Businesses have the capability to track their employees email, internet browser
history, and even their keystrokes per minute on their keyboard. Although some think this type of
tracking is invasive, it is actually safer for businesses to ensure their employees are being ethical
while at work.
Keeping Business Ethics Safe with Technology
There is no doubt that businesses should have concerns about technology affecting ethics.
The evolving digital age of technology affects cybersecurity more than most people realize
(Utica, 2020). Within the last 10 years, the rate of crimes that occurred through technology has
grown exponentially and has been consistent with the growth of technology. On the bright side,
with the growth of technology there has been growth in the security that comes with it.
Businesses have the option to seek out cybercrimes before they have the chance to occur. Social
media is a huge ethical concern for businesses as well. Everything posted on social media can
have an implication on their respective company. It is ideal for employees to remove their
connection with their company on social media. While social media is a huge way for companies
to promote their products and services, there needs to be a set of rules and policies in place to
avoid any ethical issues. Before social media is used by any employees in the workplace,
management needs to ensure all employees are aware of what is appropriate and what is not.
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For businesses to stay safe and steer clear from unethical behavior with technology, they
must put procedures in place for leadership and employees. Deloitte gives strict examples of
what businesses should be implementing. Companies and employees must align on ethical
principles. When companies and employees are on the same side of ethical procedures, then they
can both follow the same framework. Principles should be co-created by companies and
employees. Deloitte states, “once companies and employees align on principles, these principles
should be co-created by companies and employees in an open and flexible spirit to ensure
implementation.” The last example is companies having the knowledge of how employee,
consumer, and technology principles change. The set of principles given are a good framework
and foundation for businesses to follow to ensure technology is not causing ethical concerns. A
good way for businesses to remind employees about appropriate social media and technology use
is the verse proclaimed in Luke 6:31, “and as you wish that others would do to you, do so to
them.” (New American Standard Version Bible, 1971/1995). All social media and technology
usage should be considerate, positive, for business use only, and overall ethical.
Conclusion
In today’s business world, it is vital to have technology to complete daily tasks to have an
efficient workspace. It takes time for companies and businesses to adapt to new technology and
to ensure there are no threats to ethics. With all new technology, it is important to trust
technology but to also learn the pros and cons of each while following all business ethics. The
growth and development of technology in businesses is actively affecting the direction of
business ethics both positively and negatively. Businesses are continuously using new
technologies and are having to adjust their policies to ensure all ethics are being followed.
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Research and resources are being made available for all businesses to assist in keeping all ethics
followed.
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References
Deloitte. (2023, January 3). Ethical technology: Everyone's responsibility. Institute for Public
Relations. Retrieved February 19, 2023, from https://instituteforpr.org/ethical-technology-
everyones-responsibility/
Harrington, J. (2023, January 15). Ten ways evolving technology affects cybersecurity. Utica
University. Retrieved February 19, 2023, from
https://programs.online.utica.edu/resources/article/ten-ways-evolving-technology-affects-
cybersecurity
Sherman, F. (2020, November 5). Ethical issues with Business Technology. Small Business -
Chron.com. Retrieved February 19, 2023, from https://smallbusiness.chron.com/ethical-
issues-business-technology-27297.html
Staff, U. S. C. (2022, August 2). New study shows technology platforms critical to small business
growth. U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Retrieved February 19, 2023, from
https://www.uschamber.com/technology/new-study-shows-technology-platforms-critical-
to-small-business-growth
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