Introduction
This paper will discuss how firms apply technology to assist in the setting up and management of ethical standards and how these regulations help in shaping the work environment and influence workplace culture. The usage of this technology can be performed on human resource duties that later come to affect the organization’s culture.
Ethics, morals, and technology go hand in hand from the time each is introduced in the work setting. Ethics engrosses the study of morals and choices related to it and why individuals relate with others in certain settings. It is often stated by scholars and academicians that if I.T becomes biased, it instantly becomes ethical (Gray, 1988). This is to mean that for example, if any software program is written to serve only a select few within the work environment thus excluding others by way of them not knowing how to operate, then the program becomes unethical. The integrity and security of a company can be managed using computer software. In the same way that technology can be used to enrich organizations, it can also act as a destructive force that can be misused. Luckily we have technological mechanisms that can be used to counter such acts and these tools are used to uphold ethics within the organization. Issues such as the freedom of expression and infringement of patents and copyrights are being revised in light of the recent developments in technology such as the internet.
The Use of Technology to Manage Standards and Guidelines
Organizations implement technology in different and varying ways to manage rules and guidelines. Other firms tap into the conversation of employees that could be through telephone or emails. These conversations could be with people within the organization or outside the information. If the communication was through email, then a system administrator will check to see if offensive content forms part of the communication. This communication can be between persons inside or outside the Company. Normally this monitoring is done without the knowledge of the persons being monitored. If it is a telephone conversation the phones are tapped and conversations listened to (Gray, 1988). Any person seen to be breaching work rules and regulations is punished. Employee productivity is boosted by the implementation of blocking software that restricts employees from visiting provocative websites or taking time off work to chat with friends or play games. Every employee within the Organization including members of management needs to know that integrity is a requisite within the work setting. As we speak, social networking sites are becoming a big dilemma for companies as staff and management have to establish grounds as to what is official and what is private. Leakage of sensitive company information can lead to serious financial and legal liabilities for the company as competition in the business world gets tougher and tougher. This communication can be in form of data, text, images, and sound. Critics have cited their concerns as to the right to privacy in circumstances where conversations and emails are being monitored (Pincus, 2000).
Shaping the Work setting and Respective Culture
Ethics are a very important determinant in both the reputation of the company and corresponding turnover in sales. If a company has poor morals then its position in the market is always a threat as customers will refuse to be associated with the company. A bad reputation will cost the company money as it forces the company to carry out training for their employees on how to behave in acceptable and responsible ways that will define the general ethos of the organization. It is expected that if every person of the organization were to follow the set rules and guidelines then a pleasant and comfortable environment is thus expected. As one famous writer put it, “common sense is not that common.” (Gray, 1988). This is because every employee comes from a different background and has been exposed to different cultures. It is then important that a standard code of ethics be followed by everyone in the organization and it can be done with the aid of technology (Pincus, 2000). This ethics should be along with both social and technological aspects. If the highest-ranking official within the organization was to follow the set rules of his/her organization, then the rest will follow the example as has been done so by the boss. The trickle-down of this effect will bring forth the desired ethics desired. Technology has also been used to foster unity within the organization as communication within is always an email away. One can communicate with the boss just as easily as it is easy to communicate with a colleague. A lot of time is saved when time-consuming meetings can be done online without the need of employees and participants traveling from their respective remote offices that are located some distance away.
Effects of Technology on Human Resource Functions
The era of strikes and Industrial action due to the introduction of technology into the organization and the subsequent loss of jobs is long over as people come to the sudden realization that technology will always make life easier. The introduction of technology always creates shivers down the spine of those people who are not ready to adapt. Technology has also improved the productivity of employees as it has made their work easier hence they can concentrate on other tasks that require human attention such as planning and forecasting. Technology has led to the empowerment of staff as they can now share knowledge and this ensures innovation and creativity being part and parcel of company culture. Although implementation and adoption may take time, the hassles of doing so will lead to an easier time in the long run. In most modern organizations, the role of the office messenger has been overtaken and replaced by technology. Long gone are the days of misplaced mail or late feedback as now emails can ensure that feedback is instant and receipt of an email can be acknowledged electronically. Overheads within the company can be best eliminated by using databases in effective ways. A good example of how technology is being used is how big retailers such as Wal-mart are using hi-tech teleconferencing to communicate across all the branches across America. Technology has empowered human resources within an organization by giving them the ability to capture, investigate and share information from any location in the World. Companies are now more responsive to market needs and threats brought about by competitors (Pincus, 2000).
Conclusion
Matching technology with the requirements of the organization is a daunting task unless a team of experts is set aside for this as we know very well that technology is very dynamic. What was used to monitor employee activities over the internet a few years ago has been quickly overtaken by more powerful and less costly solutions. With the advent of the internet, all manner of solutions can be found online. Employees within the office or work setting must always be ready to embrace technology as it will be counter-progressive to do the opposite (Gray, 1988). A good working environment is where all employees work as a team to realize the same goal which is to push the company forward in achieving its objectives. Their efforts can be greatly multiplied positively using technology.
References
Gray, R. (1988). Making Ethics Come Alive. Washington: United States Chamber of Commerce.
Pincus, L. (2000). Technology and ethics: privacy in the workplace. New York: Bentley College, Center for Business Ethics.