SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

Social Responsibility within the IT industry



Abstract

The paper attempts to enlighten the concept of digital divide in a holitic context. It aims to study the idea of digital divide in relation with the social responsibilities of information technology. The paper explains the concept of corporate social responsibility in relation to information technology. It then discusses concept of digital divide and attempts to construct a debate to answer the research questions set up. Furthermore, it analyzes the ethical and social issues raised in relation to information technology and attempts to come to a conclusion, which is then provided at the last.

Social Responsibility within the IT industry

Introduction

The emerging information technology is our society has brought several challenges related to social and ethical issues. The Information Technology and industry related to it should be aware of their responsibility towards society. They have to focus on ethical issues and their responsibility towards society. The IT industry should consider the services and products provided by them. They have to be careful about the benefits of society. The industry must be aware of jeopardy to the society and how to safe society from its disadvantages. There are grey areas if IT industry, however the industry has facilitated the whole world and bring easiness to the society. The industry has done commendable work for the society, whereas it has to be aware of its ethical and social responsibilities. The past decade has brought a boom in IT industry and simultaneously it brought social and ethical issues (Schwartz, Carroll, 2003, p. 503-530).

The information technologies and communication technologies (ICTs) are invading all aspects of human existence and are posing serious challenges for individual and social values ??that were considered firmly established. It is true that the technologies of computing, Internet and World Wide Web have created global opportunities that were not previously available or for individuals or for organizations, but it is also true that they have raised new ethical issues because the changes are affecting human relations, social institutions and basic moral principles. This paper considered some of the ethical and social issues associated with the IT industry particular those associated with computer technology, Internet and World Wide Web (Passas, Goodwin, 2004, p. 145-150).

Research Question

Is it sole responsibility of the information technology industry to close the digital divide?

Can copyright and purchase and distribution policies be considered the integral part of sole responsibility of the information technology industry?

Discussion

Corporate Social Responsibility

Corporate social responsibility is a broad concept thus; there is a lack of consensuses on the definition of corporate social responsibility. According to the definition of The European Commission, corporate social responsibility is seen as “a concept whereby companies decide to contribute to a better society and a cleaner environment voluntary”. Among many, a frequently referenced definition from academic literature is that “the firm's considerations of, and responses to, issues beyond the narrow economic, technical, and legal requirements of the firm to accomplish social (and environmental) benefits along with the traditional economic gains which the firm ...