Organizational Philosophies and Technology
TEC/401

Organizational Philosophies and Technology Innovations in technology create opportunities as well as challenges for businesses. Organizations continually pursue business standards that support a connection between the fundamentals of the business operations and its ethical obligations. Furthermore, this student will analyze how setting and managing ethical standards using technology influences company’s’ culture, work environment structure, and in what way company’s culture is affected by operating technology to accomplish human resources functions. Setting and Managing Ethical Standards Ethical standards are values that endorse shared values such as kindness, trust, social responsibility, and fairness. For example, in the opening statement in the General Dynamic Standards of Business Ethics and Conduct guide Daniel Johnson President General Dynamics states, “General Dynamics Information Technology is strongly committed to adhering to certain principles of ethical standards and practices. We expect not only General Dynamics employees, but also our partners in business, to abide by these same ethical standards and practices. Please read this booklet carefully as it sets forth the high standards and principles we feel are important in doing business with our company. Be aware that the high standards we are committed to upholding are the same principles that we expect your company and employees to adhere to when doing business with General Dynamics. We believe it is in our mutual interest to foster a relationship built upon common dedication to excellence supported by mutual respect and adherence to applicable standards of business conduct” (Daniel Johnson, 2007, p. 2). Information Technology Ethical standards influence business relations, operations, and profitability. Each organization develops standards of conduct important to the organization and its employees. Setting ethical standards are not always easy to enforce. Ethical standards provide guidelines to employees in specific positions that outline acceptable behaviors. Ethical standards set by an organization must cover rules for computer use, e-mail use, employee relations, interactions with customers, general standards of behavior, and social responsibility of the company and its people. Organizations use technology to observe workers communication and productivity and to broadcast ethical standards. Establishing ethical behavior is an important role for leadership, and senior management, they often set the tone and ethical culture of the company. These individuals hold key position in the company, and are like role models for workers. Shaping the company culture and work environment Technology shapes companies in different ways, for example can refuse to hire a Facebooker. According to Urban dictionary a “Facebooker is person that spends an exceptional amount of time posting and browsing on Facebook and usually spending more than a half-hour a day on Facebook” (Urban Dictionary, 1999-011). Are we overstepping our boundaries? What is the basis of not hiring Facebooker then, Is this ethical? According to the key discoveries of the study of 237 employees concluded that nearly half of employees in the study and 77% of those with an account use Facebook during work hours. Some employees use Facebook as much as two hours per day while at work. One in 33 employees use Facebook exclusively while at work "If your company is facing tight margins and low profitability, as many are now, then how can you accept any work distractions that drain your overall productivity?," said Rebecca Wettemann, vice president of research for Nucleus Research. "While it won't make you popular, restricting Facebook can reclaim lost productivity. If your profitability is say two percent, this could be the difference between staying open or closing shop." Of those using Facebook at work, 87% could not define a clear business reason for accessing the site. Further, the analysis reveals potential security concerns through e-mail, as most organizations do not monitor and manage Facebook as closely as e-mail. This creates an opportunity for Facebook users to circumvent controls and violate corporate communications policies. The Nucleus analysis concludes that companies should evaluate their Facebook policy and the cost to the organization in allowing access to Facebook, as today blocking Facebook may result in a 1.5% gain in productivity” (Facebook Shrinks Productivity, 2009, p. 12). Does using Facebook characterize a person as unethical and immoral? Should a business retain somebody identified as a Facebooker and possibly be at risk losing productivity? The way this student thinks may be discriminating to some, but because, of technology, and to maintain the integrity of the employees and company’s this option must be considered. Ultimately the company will be a quieter place to work because there will be less insignificant performance. Ethical standards start at the top of an organization and filter down to workers. This student believes a business with superior ethical standards in both technology and employee relations should have a pleasant work environment. Employees will be more likely to agree and accept the company’s ethical philosophies, if leaderships upholds to the high ethical values and morals of the company. Human resources functions affect the company’s culture A decade ago, manually written documents were an overwhelming task to achieve. Many consider technology employed to accomplish human resources functions damages the business and moral. Unfortunately, implementing new technology has made some jobs vanish, which has brought morale down. Furthermore, society has become used to the concept and is learning to apply the improvements in technology, to make jobs simpler and more productive. Today a worker can connect with leadership without to making an appointment and can obtain immediate response by using instant messenger or e-mail. Presently supervisors are capable of posting a variety of messages to numerous employees in seconds, instead of taking the time to write by hand every message separately he will also know that his workers received the message by asking for a return receipt. Of course, technology has produced temporary conflicts in companies but in the end, this student believes it is worth it. Because programs can support the operation of an organization, every day duties like writing documents that in the past consumed numerous hours and manpower are reduced to a few keystrokes. Information technologies reinforce a once dormant part in the management and employees, and know it creates commitment and efficiency on daily business operations. Conclusion In conclusion, technology has supported companies in setting and managing ethical standards and guidelines by implementing technology to monitor computer use. Furthermore, ethical guidelines applied in company’s shape the culture and work environment that the organization upholds. In addition, company’s culture is affected in a positive way when technology is used accomplish human resources functions. Although Technology transforms our lives very rapidly, civilization must embrace these transformations to surpass and progress through in our professions. Finally, this student believes that ethics is a very important responsibility in the function of an organization.

References
Urban Dictionary. (1999-011). Retrieved from http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=facebooker
Facebook Shrinks Productivity. (2009, July). Nucleus Research, (p.1) (2007, Month Day). Doing Business With General Dynamics. . Retrieved from http://Http://fcbs.com/uploadFiles/Partners/leegguid01.pdf