In digital transformations, ethical considerations regarding technology are paramount. Digital ethics includes principles and practices which ensure the responsible use of digital technologies. For organisations, digital ethics introduces both challenges
and opportunities that influence how technology is developed, implemented and used.
Over the next few posts, we will explore the benefits of having a digital ethics strategy, what should be included in one, and how to develop the plan. But let’s take a step back and consider what a digital ethics strategy is and why every business
needs one.
What is a digital ethics strategy?
A digital ethics strategy is a document connecting an organisation’s vision, values and business plan with its use of technology and surrounding culture. It ensures that the organisation’s values are reflected throughout and not just focused
on people. Similar to an IT Strategy, it aligns technology use with an organisation’s business plan, but it goes further by considering a wider range of inputs and having a broader impact on the organisation’s culture and technology use.
A digital ethics strategy helps organisations focus on how their vision, values and business plan integrate to achieve success. It’s a type of governing document essential for long-term success. It acts as a clear guide on how ethics will support
an organisation’s business strategy, and drive its priorities, over the coming years.
The digital ethics strategy should be a written document detailing how ethics can assist in achieving business goals. If it isn’t written down, noting authors, dates and revision history, it isn’t a strategy. Writing it down doesn’t
mean you can’t make changes, in fact, it’s easier to adapt and pivot as needed when you have a written document.
The digital ethics strategy should be concise like an executive summary, targeting senior leadership. It should clearly explain how ethics assists with the organisation’s vision and goals.
Why an organisation needs a digital ethics strategy
Everyone wants to avoid fines for negligence and non-compliance, or the actual harming of an employee or member of the public. By contrast, outcomes everyone aims for are those which make organisations as successful and profitable as possible.
So how can ethics enable an organisation to pursue and avoid certain outcomes related to technology? Through a clearly defined and well implemented digital ethics strategy.
The number one step to executing anything successfully is planning. This becomes even more critical when an organisation is dealing with areas as complex as its technology and ethics.
A carefully developed digital ethics strategy will mitigate risks and unwanted outcomes while at the same time accelerate an organisation in the direction it wants to go.
Some of the positive outcomes organisations can see through creating an ethics strategy include:
- Defining an ethics strategy means aligning everything with the organisation’s goals and making sure the strategy works towards achieving them. This approach helps the organisation become proactive, rather than reactive.
- The organisation becomes more efficient as technology is adopted in a more considered way that is consistent with the organisation’s vision, values and business plan. This approach maximises productivity and enables collaboration while mitigating
risks.
- The organisation increases its competitive advantage where ethical technology, consistent with its values, helps it deliver better service to its clients.
A strategy ties everything together and ensures that if the organisation values diversity, this is reflected not just in hiring practices but in the nature of technology that is sought and used. For example, an organisation that claims to value diversity
and then purchases technology that is not accessible for some employees may face legal and reputational risks.
The risk of not having a digital ethics strategy
In summary, a digital ethics strategy ensures an ethics by design approach is taken throughout an organisation. This means that processes and systems are by default designed to manage ethical risk and maximise the integrity of the organisation’s
approach.
Without a digital ethics strategy, even if an organisation has good intentions and values they might not be represented throughout the entire organisation. This can lead to unexpected problems and harm like financial loss, damage to reputation, and even
legal issues affecting the organisation, the people involved and its stakeholders.
For the organisation these risks could mean fines for negligence and non-compliance of rules and regulations. Stakeholders, including users and the public, could be harmed by use of an organisation’s technology or services. All these risks could
erode trust in the organisation from regulators, the press, and the public.
For example, in 2014 Volkswagen had a clear commitment to environmental sustainability. However, this clearly did not filter through into all parts of the business, so that the emissions cheating scandal was able to occur. This scandal was estimated to
have cost the company an estimated $34bn in fines and lost custom by 2020.
Empowering Transformation
Digital ethics strategies enable organisations to align everything they do to their goals and values, increase efficiency, grow productivity and communicate better across functions.
Sopra Steria has worked with clients to develop digital ethics strategies that carry through their corporate values into their technology and culture. If you would like to know more, then please contact Kevin Macnish kevin.macnish@soprasteria.com.