Beyond codes of ethics: how library and information professionals navigate ethical dilemmas in a complex and dynamic information environment

Abstract

This paper reports on a research project that investigated how library and information (LIS) professionals experience ethical dilemmas, with particular reference to the impact of new technologies, sources used to assist ethical decision-making, and the contribution case studies can make to ethical understanding and decision-making. Data was collected through interviews in Britain, Ireland and Australia with LIS professionals, educators, and representatives of professional bodies. The findings identify the main types of dilemma raised and discuss cases indicative of each type. They suggest that new technologies do not appear to change ethical principles but, when experienced in the workplace, substantially change the factors the professional has to evaluate. They also suggest that relevant codes of ethics are satisfactory on traditional library issues of access and confidentiality, but do not address the ethical challenges of current and potential digital environments. Professional associations appear more familiar with codes of ethics than practitioners although practitioners show high levels of ethical awareness, suggesting associations need to communicate more with their members and provide tools that are more useful in the workplace. Case studies are seen as a good way to educate and engage practitioners because of the complexity, conflicts and dynamism they can present.

The Role of Ethics in Developing Professionalism Within the Global ICT Community.

“…This viewpoint has been well documented in previous research (Healy & Iles, 2002). The tension and the relationship between compliance and ethics that was raised during this work has also been discussed in previous work (Ferguson et al, 2016) on the viewpoints of practitioners in terms of professional ethics. Our findings on the potentially unforeseen and negative effects of stricter regulation, for example in terms of the certification of ICT professionals, reflects similar findings to work on the mixed effects of increased penalties for unethical ICT use (Charki et al, 2017).…”

“…Guidelines and codes of ethics exists for most ICT professional associations but implementation for practitioners can be challenging in the complexity of the workplace (Ferguson et al, 2016). In some cases, within IT, interactive codes and guidelines have been developed to make codes easier to use and apply (Campos & Amaral, 2010).…”

“…Some work has been done within particular areas of ICT, such as how practitioners in information security view government initiatives to professionalise their work to reduce cyber threats (Reece & Stahl, 2015). Practitioner views on ethics in ICT work contexts and the efficacy or otherwise of codes of ethics are also examined within the library and information profession (Ferguson, Thornley, & Gibb, 2016). A study to examine the effects of stricter legal controls and penalties for unethical use of supply chain bidding IT systems in the workplace (Charki, Josserand, & Boukef, 2017) found that effects were very mixed.…”

Developing human resource data risk management in the age of big data

“…Nevertheless, the challenges associated with managing ethical dilemmas are not unique to data science, or specifically relevant to big data alone. In relation to the impact of new technologies more generally, for instance, Ferguson, Thornley and Gibb (2016) have examined how library and information professionals navigate ethical dilemmas. Their overview of ethical issues and dilemmas provides a nice overview of potential tensions and pitfalls.…”

“…Their overview of ethical issues and dilemmas provides a nice overview of potential tensions and pitfalls. Such tensions include contradictory demands for information access versus censorship, information access versus interests of individuals (also concerning harm to individuals, right to consent and privacy), and professional ethics versus organisational ethos/requirements (Ferguson et al 2016). Explicit, codified guidelines to balance those dilemmas are often missing in organisational settings.…”