An analysis of ethical awareness related to computers and information technology of people in the Bangkok metropolis

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to analyze the ethical awareness of people in the Bangkok metropolis in relation to computers and information technology. The people were divided into three groups: computer professionals, customers, and students. Each of the three groups was further divided into three subgroups. Interviews were conducted with 358 people by using ten scenarios covering computer security principles. The study revealed that the ethical awareness among the groups was not different in eight of the ten scenarios. The groups considered the behaviours unethical in all scenarios on the issues of obligation and quality of the professional work; in all the scenarios on the issues of piracy and unauthorized access; in all the scenarios on the issues of intellectual property, contract, and business agreement; and only one scenario on the issues of confidentiality and privacy. However, the average percentages stating unethical behavior were not very high; they varied between 51–79%. Two other scenarios on the issues of confidentiality and privacy were viewed as ethical behaviour, which was confirmed by Thai culture. The students’ different educational levels created differences in ethical awareness and their responses. The variations in work experience of the computer professionals did not cause differences in ethical awareness.