discussion post wk6p2

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Shared Practice—Why It Is Important to Have a Code of Conduct

In our business lives, we are faced with challenges and compromises to our ethical foundations, and sometimes we are caught in a conundrum. Organizations that develop and utilize a "code of ethics" or a "code of conduct" can assist employees in understanding what they should or should not do when they are caught in a potential compromising position. If properly advocated and modeled by leadership, the code of ethics or a code of conduct can make decision making more streamlined and a much less stressful process. Some of the areas where they can assist in decision making with legal and ethical issues are:

• Social Media
• Identity Theft
• Intellectual Property Rights
• Workplace Privacy
• Software Piracy
• Patent/Copyright Protection
• Patent/Copyright Infringement
• Employee Computer Use

For this week's Shared Practice Discussion, you will begin by carefully reading the weekly article readings from Brooks (2010), De George (2000), and Mingers & Walsham (2010).

Once you have completed your reading, search for at least two examples of code of conduct/ethics policies from a publically traded company. You may want to look at several such policies to get a broad sense of what they cover.

By Day 5

Post the following:

• Share your assessment of the importance of utilizing a code of ethics to direct solid business decision making when managing business information and information systems.
• Provide 2 or 3 examples of code of conduct/ethics policies related to the use and management of information and information systems.
• Summarize your observations about the code of conduct/ethics you reviewed and the major themes you found in your search of these important policy statements as they pertain to the use and management of information and information systems.
• Describe how you, as a manager, will ensure that your conduct and the conduct of your employees as it pertains to the use of data, information, and information systems/technology aligns with the ethical standards of the organization and the applicable regulations that must be followed. What specific steps can you take, and how will you serve as a role model?

Please be specific, and remember to use citations and references as appropriate and necessary.

Read a selection of the posts submitted by your colleagues.