Ethical challenges during digital transformation initiatives
Mohamed HassanProject Management Consultant, Author and Speaker| LIFELONGKuwait, Kuwait
Rapid pace of digital transformation has led to several novel ethical challenges like protecting privacy of data collected and stored, incorporating ethical decision making in automated processes, giving due consideration to cultural differences etc. Many Project Managers may not be fully aware of all such challenges. What are some of the ethical challenges you have faced during digital transformation initiatives? How did you deal with them? Let's learn from each other. Saving Changes...
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Peter RapinSubject Matter Expect; Project Delivery| Independent ConsultantOntario, Canada
First one has to understand and believe in one's ethical responsibility. This is easier said than done. Many companies have ethical statements or codes of conduct but in my opinion these provide too much detail and do not allow for new situations. What we need is a very basic truth applicable to all situations (moral principles). Possibilities - "do no harm", or 'do unto others as you would have them do unto you".
However, what do you do with "the needs of the many outweigh the needs of few - or the one (Spock?)"
Ethical behavior is somewhat subjective - what is 'good or bad' is sometimes not very clear and open to external influence.
My approach has been to ask myself "what is the worst that could happen?" and "can I live with it?". During the decision making process I may consult with others, including the corporate code, to make sure I consider all the factors. Saving Changes...
I have not faced any challenges yet. Saving Changes...
Thomas WalentaGlobal Project Economy ExpertHackenheim, Germany
Mohamed
I have not yet faced ethical issues specific to digital transformations.
Privacy, processes or cultural problems came up also without digital progress. Imagine the issues for workers in Ford‘s factories or the humiliation of slaves being open books for their owners.
The values that can be violated are similar since thousands of years. They include respect, autonomy, fairness and several more.
To Peter‘s point, I agree that ethical values are perceived differently, but I also understand that a word like fairness is related to emotions in most humans. It drove the French revolution and the creation of democracy in Greece.
The moral principles for me are the ethical values. We find them in many codes. Saving Changes...
