Case - Assignment Overview
There is no doubt that at the enterprise level, the management of organizational information is a very complicated process, reflecting not just issues of technology but fundamental issues of the distribution of power and control. Information is power, and the distribution and maintenance of that information has direct effects on both internal and external consequences of organizational behavior. One of the key issues involved in the movement toward cloud computing on the part of many organizations has to do with handing over to external contractors a certain share of the organizational power granted by access to and control over organizational data. Over and over, we are assured by such contractors that they would never misuse data or allowed to be compromised in any way. Yet deep down, we also understand that whatever can go wrong, eventually will, and that the wider the control over the data is shared, the more places are available for it to be compromised.
The case for this module calls for you to think about some of these ethical concerns and issues posed by distributing access to organizational data more widely. Let's begin by thinking about what's peculiar about the enterprise level of information systems. A good place to begin here is grounded in the systems engineering body of knowledge:
Ethical and Social Issues in Information Systems. (n.d.). Chapter 4.
Retrieved from https://www.prenhall.com/behindthebook/0132304619/pdf/laudon%20MIS10_CH-04%20FINAL.pdf
So how does "the cloud" affect enterprise computing? Here's a perspective on the issue from one of the major vendors of cloud computing services:
Amrhein, D., and Quint, S. (2009) Cloud computing for the enterprise: Part 1: Capturing the cloud. IBM Corporation.
Retrieved on December 1, 2011 from https://www.ibm.com/developerworks/websphere/techjournal/0904_amrhein/0904_amrhein.html
But now, to return to the operational level. A number of years ago, Margaret Lynch of the University of Texas outlined a series of ethical issues and concerns relating to electronic information generally. You can review her perspective on three of these issues here:
Lynch, M. (2000) Ethical Issues in Electronic Information Systems. University of Texas. Sections on Electronic Networks (https://www.colorado.edu/geography/gcraft/notes/ethics/ethics.html#Elec_Nets);
Access to networks (https://www.colorado.edu/geography/gcraft/notes/ethics/ethics.html#Access);
and Electronic Databases (https://www.colorado.edu/geography/gcraft/notes/ethics/ethics.html#ED) retrieved December 20, 2011.
Case Assignment
When you've had a chance to read this article, review information from the background readings and research other sources on your own, please prepare a short paper on the topic:
- Ethical challenges raised by Lynch that are either (a) simplified and resolved or (b) made more complex and difficult by the transition to cloud-based information networks.
Assignment Expectations
Your paper should be from 3-5 pages. Take a definite stand on the issues, and develop your supporting argument carefully. Using material from the background information and any other sources you can find to support specific points in your argument is highly recommended; try to avoid making assertions for which you can find no support other than your own opinion.
You will be particularly assessed on:
- Precision: Your draw on a range of sources, and to establish your understanding of the historical context of the question. You carried out the exercise as assigned, or carefully explained the limitations that might have prevented your completing some parts (running out of time isn't generally considered an adequate limitation).
- Support for assertions: You use examples, citations (especially to the required readings), and elaboration to support assertions. You provide evidence that you have read the required background materials.
- Clarity: Your answers are clear and show your good understanding of the topic. You see what the module is all about and to structure your paper accordingly.
- Breadth and Depth: The scope covered in your paper is directly related to the questions of the assignment and the learning objectives of the module.
- Critical thinking: The paper incorporates YOUR reactions, examples, and applications of the material to business that illustrate your reflective judgment and good understanding of the concepts. It is important to read the "required readings" posted in the background material plus others you find relevant. Your informed commentary and analysis is vital -- simply repeating what your sources say does not constitute an adequate paper.
- Overall quality: Your paper is well written and the references, where needed, are properly cited and listed (refer to Trident's Student Guide to Writing a High-Quality Academic Paper) if you are uncertain about formats or other issues.
You'll remember that we're using a common basic format for the project assignments in all modules-that is, the review of relevant professional development websites.
Specifically, for the Session Long Project for this module, you are to review the TechWeb digital library related to network infrastructure at https://www.informationweek.com/whitepaper/viewallasset/Infrastructure/Switches?start=1&contentType=1
You should do the following:
- Look over the range of articles and other resources linked there.
- Follow up links that interest you. In general, become familiar with its contents. If you don't know where to start, you may want to focus on "infrastructure" (such as "Network Infrastructure" link to the left side of the menu if you scroll down).
- Pay special attention on the subject of this module and learn as much as you can.
Then write your review.
SLP Assignment Expectations
Your paper should be two to three pages in length, and reflect your personal experiences with this issue. The important part of all these project assignments is to carefully assess your own experiences with the topic, and then reflect critically on what you might have learned about yourself and about situations through this assessment process.
The more that you can use the exercise to develop personal implications for your growth as a potential business person as well as a moral individual, the more value you'll get out of the exercise.
The general format valid for such reviews in ALL your SLPs here is:
- a short summary description of the website's structure, purpose, pros and cons
- a comprehensive discussion on what you learn from this website regarding the subject of this module (at least half of your write-up should be devoted to this discussion). you can choose to provide a general review, or focus on one theme of your most interest.
- links that you find helpful to follow up
- why you will or will not find it a useful addition to your professional resources list
- any other things about the site that you find salient and worth noting to others
- bottom-line evaluation of its value to you in this program
The last point is very important. Be honest and direct; your assessment is helpful to you and to others. If you don't find it helpful, say so and why, and try to explain what you would find more useful in its place. But also do try to remember also that your education isn't yet finished, that things you don't understand now and don't yet see the value of may turn out later on to be relevant and useful, and that the site's creators may know more about the topic and the profession than you do yet.
Your paper will be evaluated on the following criteria:
- Precision: You carried out the exercise as assigned, or carefully explained the limitations that might have prevented your completing some parts (running out of time isn't generally considered an adequate limitation).
- Clarity: Your answers are clear and show your good understanding of the topic.
- Breadth and Depth: The scope covered in your paper is directly related to the questions of the assignment and the learning objectives of the module.
- Critical thinking: The paper incorporates YOUR reactions, examples, and applications of the material to business that illustrate your reflective judgment and good understanding of the concepts.
- Overall quality: Your paper is well written and the references, where needed, are properly cited and listed (refer to Trident's Student Guide to Writing a High-Quality Academic Paper) if you are uncertain about formats or other issues.