The rapid growth in the number of organizations and people using computers combined with global connectivity brings many new information technology management challenges. Many people feel that IT has gotten out of control. In some ways, they are right. However, the central proposition of socially responsible information technology management is that exercising greater social responsibility can help control the potential negative impact of information technology. To overcome these problems will require more socially responsible behavior on the part of technology producers, governments, and computer users.
The ten principles of socially responsible information technology management are as follows:
1. Appropriately staff IT departments
2. Fairly compensate IT workers
3. Adequately train computer users
4. Provide ergonomic user environments
5. Maintain secure and virus free computer systems
6. Safeguard the privacy of information
7. Ethically manage intellectual property
8. Utilize energy efficient technology
9. Properly recycle used computer equipment
10. Support efforts to reduce the digital divide
Michael Erbschloe, vice president of research at Computer Economics, has expanded his analysis of socially responsible information technology management for a book to be published by Digital Press in the fall of 2002. Inquires about the book should be directed to Computer Economics. The book will be titled Socially Responsible Information Technology Management.
September 2002
