Question

MIA has used Microsoft 365 for many years but just the email application. It was during the CFO luncheon talk back in 2018 where Microsoft presented how it created a collaborative work culture and work remotely using Microsoft team and Microsoft Share point that she realized how this platform can improve efficiency of MIA activities. She instructed her staff to fully used the Microsoft 365 functions and invite Microsoft to train them. “Imagine I have not started to fully adopt the Microsoft 365 functions!” She uttered with a sign of relief. Her 375 staffs will be expecting her to decide on matters and various issues need to be ironed out. The Management team of Malaysian Institute of Accountants’ (the Institute) need to probably meet up virtually more now. “I must strive, we have come this far”, she whispered. The beneficial possibilities of the Institute’s digital strategy are endless, the stakes are high; with funding that is never enough for a regulatory body like the Institute. She couldn’t help but wonder what would have happened to the day-to-day running of the Institute had she not pursued the Digital Blueprint back in December 2016. Thinking back on the Institute’s lack of digital readiness in those years, she is overwhelmed with a sense of pride and relief – justifiably, this digital direction and stability is vital in keeping up with the fast-paced online environment, especially during this coronavirus pandemic, more than ever.

Discuss the potential ethical issues that can be deduced from the case and how to solve it?

Answer 1

The potential ethical issues that can be deduced from the case are employees taking undue advantage of online working or working from home and might not be that productive at work since they might feel that nobody is watching over them and hence they can waste time and be less productive. Moreover there are chances of confidential organizational information leaking online since no watch is being maintained on employees sharing such information. Additionally, the employees can indulge in unfair business practices by doing settlement with clients and the company not coming to know about such developments. All such unethical practices can be followed, giving rise to potential ethical issues and organization has to look into such matter and ensure that upgraded technology is being utilized and ethical approach is being followed by keeping a track on all the employees. In order to solve such issues, the organization must adopt safe working environment where all the information accessed by the employees and even shared with others is tracked properly and records are maintained. Moreover employees must be trained to be vigilant and not indulge in unfair business practices as it might not be good for the company as well as for them. Also the organization must encourage and motivate employees to follow ethical processes and procedures.