In IT divisions and organizations, the need to execute in a competitive and complex technical environment while demonstrating personal integrity can be a significant personal and organizational challenge. Supplying concrete guidelines for those at an ethical crossroads, Ethics in IT Outsourcing explores the complex challenges of aligning IT outsourcing programs with ethical conduct and standards.
This one-stop reference on the ethical structure and execution of IT outsourcing incorporates an easy-to-apply checklist of principles for outsourcing executives and managers. It examines certification programs, such as the online ethics training and certification offered by the Code of Ethics and Business Practice Standards for Outsourcing Professionals established by the International Association of Outsourcing Professionals (IAOP). Based upon significant research on the economic impact of outsourcing at a micro, macro, and corporate level, this volume defines a comprehensive set of ethical program components to ensure your program is aligned with ethical guidelines.
- Based on a solid foundation of documented research and analysis
- Examines the ethical impact of outsourcing on individuals, corporations, and society
- Outlines a new corporate capability—the Ethics PMO
- Includes a list of tools to help readers establish their own Ethics PMO
Filled with authoritative insights based on the author’s decades of experience working with large firms in IT and outsourcing, this book is suitable for both veteran IT practitioners and stakeholders new to the topic. A must-read for anyone seeking to understand the underlying issues in this area of growing importance, it will bring you up to speed on the recent developments you need to be aware of to ensure ethical personal, corporate, and societal decision-making.
Readers are invited to participate in the growing dialog of business ethics, and IT outsourcing ethics in particular, at the author’s website: www.ethicsinit.com
Overview of Ethics in IT Outsourcing: An Oxymoron?
Building a Framework for Ethical Discussion
The Macro View: Follow the Money
Outsourcing Fundamentals: The Egoless IT Manager
Ethical Hypotheses: Guideposts on the Investigative Journey
The Internet: A New Level of Personal and Public Transparency
The New Level of Internet Fueled Transparency Reveals the Ethical Underpinnings of Business
The Molar (Corporate) View: Worker as Expense Precludes Effective Pro-Active Resource Management and Development
Change Management: A Limited Framework for Enabling Ethical Change
Analytical Methodology of Ethics: Validation of Personal Observation
Historical and Academic Context: Is a Corporation a Moral Entity?
Summary
References
Appendix: Looking at Business Ethics through the Lens of Popular Culture and Literature
The Cost of Ethical Compromise: An Overview of Current and Historical Research and Business Practices
Macro Level Costs of Ethical Compromise
Molar Level Costs of Ethical Compromise
Does Molar (Corporate) Ethical Compromise Pay?
Micro Level: Cost of Ethical Compromise for Individuals
Statistics, Facts and Views of the Ethics of Economic Distribution and Inequality
Summary
References
Appendix: Relevant Quotes
A Checklist for New Offshore Programs
Define IT Ethics Program Management Office (Ethics PMO)
Defining an Effective Ethics PMO
Key to Ethics PMO Success: C-Level Standing
Empowerment of C-Level Ethics PMOs across Organizational Silos
Roles and Responsibilities of Ethics PMO Team
Team Members
Executive Sponsor and Steering Committee
Ethics Program Manager
Ethics Project Managers
Specialized Contributors and External Stakeholders
Setting Realistic Goals in Preparation for Executing EthicsPMO Methodology
Analyze Potential Impact
Case Study: Launching a New Offshore Program within the Context of an Ethics PMO
Define IT Ethics Program Management Office (Ethics PMO)
Analyze Potential Impacts
Research Most Effective Options for Impacted Workers
Create Program-Specific Pragmatic Ethical Guidelines
Factor in Program Costs
Establish Community Communications
Monitor Effectiveness of Ethical Investment
Consider Expanding Reach to Utilize Ethics PMO
Summary
Alignment of Existing IT Offshore Programs
Assess Requirements by Departments and Individuals
Establish IT Ethics Delivery Organization (Ethics PMO)
Establish Scope
Document Requirements
Establish Process, Communications, and Reporting Standards
Risk Assessment and Management
Program Expectations and Norms
Budget Management
Return on Investment (ROI) Estimation and Management
Quality Assurance
Procurement Management and Vendor Selection
Process Change Management
Metrics Management
Global Strategic Sourcing: Definition and Benefits
Skill Planning
Skill Sourcing
Geographic Placement
Strategic or Competitive Significance of Skills
Global Staff Development
Resource Management
Summary
References
Appendix: Sample Ethics Program Charter Table of Contents
The Ethics of the Personal: Avoidable Ethical Compromise
Applying the Ethics of the Personal within the New Austerity
Communications Reflect the Level of Integrity that Meets the Level of Austerity
Overt Values Are Actively Supported, Not Passively Drawn
Prized Values Are Maintained (or Not Maintained) Bilaterally
The Needs and Consequent Responsibilities of the Individual Are Acknowledged within the Whole
Raw Abuse of Power Is Perceived as Damaging to an Organization
Applying Personal Code of Ethics in Daily Business Life
Communications Integrity
Active Support of Values
Equality
Abuses of Power
Leader’s Role in the Micro Realm of the Personal
References
Appendix: Digital Equipment Corporation: Creating an Environment for Ethics of the Personal
Minimizing Negative Impact
Applying Basic Building Blocks of Corporate Ethical Principles to IT Offshore Outsourcing: A Deeper Look
Macro View: Follow the Money
Our National Inconsistencies Color Ethical Discussions in Shades of Gray, not Black and White
Ethics in IT Outsourcing at Macro Level
Egoless Decision Making as a Personal Framework
"The Truth Will Out"
Another Look at Business Ethics: Bound by Morality?
Ethics PMO Revisited: An Outsourcing Fable
Implementation
Results: Answers to Burning Questions
Summary
References
Appendix: Excerpt from Sama Code of Conduct
Recalibrating the Reality
Macro Offshore Case Study: The Function of the Chief Ethics Officer (CETO)
Builds A Strong, Robust Business Based on Honest Growth, Solid Strategy, and Reasonable Shareholder and Profit Expectations
Enables new employee on-boarding and employee skill development as an important contribution to a strong ethical culture
Actively models Ethical precepts, REPRESENTS ethics in the corporation, and requires the same of all executives, including the CEO
Serves as a Whistle-Blower Escalation Point
Works with Peer Senior Executives to Establish Guidelines for ethical Transparency and Frequency of reporting
Serves as Liaison to Other CETOs in Non-Competing Firms to Develop and Nurture industry-wide Ethical Best Practices
Works with Academic Researchers to Sponsor and Benefit from Research on the Cost–Benefit Equation of Ethical Behavior
Utilizing Offshore Outsourcing to Address Gaps in Strategic Alignment across Business and IT
The Cost of Dampening the Strategic IT Voice and Partnership
High Performance Organizations
Conclusions from Chapter 1: Macro Level Revisited
Case Study: Industry Specific Commitment to Ethics—What Changes would accrue?
Productivity is boosted
Morale Gets a Lift
Industries can Self-Police
Creativity is Rampant
High Focus is Enabled
Jobs are Stabilized
The Community is Nourished
Summary
References
Appendix: Characteristics of High Performance Workplaces
The Future of IT Ethics
The Molar or Corporate Entity as a Driver of Ethical Change
Drivers of Future Ethical Change
Definition of Global Outsourcing Industry Standards
Commitment to transparency of data sharing and information at industry level
Global Review Board for Reporting of Violations and Enforcement
Data-Driven Analysis of Economic Impacts
Distribution of Income: Surprising Root Cause of Cycle of U.S. Job Loss
Beyond GDP:—Who Receives the Benefit is an Ethical Issue
Our Dramatic Income Distribution Inequality
Ethical Implications of Findings on Distribution of Wealth
Support of Economic Bill of Rights
Pulling it All Together: Ethics of the Personal as Informed by the Ethics of the Molar and Macro
Summary: Change Management for an Ethical Future
References
Appendix A: Proposed International Charter of IT Outsourcing Ethics (iCIOE)
Appendix B: Creativity Unleashed: Another Look at Digital Equipment Corporation
Biography
Tandy Gold is an Outsourcing Consultant in Sanford, Florida.
Ethics in IT Outsourcing by Tandy Gold is a surprisingly great read on the ethics in IT outsourcing as well as IT ethics and business ethics more generally. The reason it was a surprise is that the Gold tackles the ethics in IT outsourcing head on. From its roots in US economics and public policy through globalization, quickly linking the issues and trends to corporate ethics and IT ethics. The book is full of thoughtful lessons in ethics and morality faced by CIO’s at an increasing rate.
—Book review by The Higher Ed CIO
Read the full review at: http://blog.thehigheredcio.com/2013/02/17/book-review-ethics-in-it-outsourcing/