Doing business online poses certain ethical dilemmas. Selling customer information, otherwise known as data mining is among the prevailing ethical issues in e-business (Z. Tobias).
Ethical business practice requires protecting the confidentiality of customer information. Selling the names and e-mail addresses of its customers is obviously against business ethics. It is a betrayal of confidential information thus, violation of customer privacy policy.
The e-business division should explore selling customer information, if it has high stakes in improving the company revenues. However, it is a moral responsibility of the division to disclose and seek permission from the customers regarding this action. Essentially, customers consent for the company to sell or provide their respective names and email addresses must be written, to ensure the company of its legal protection. Meanwhile, customers are assured of the companys respect in them just as they maintain their trust in the company simple way of developing a reputation for integrity. In return, the company can earn the loyalty and continuous patronage of their customers. Doing otherwise will tarnish the companys reputation and legal consequences, sooner or later. Compromising customers privacy runs counter to building their trust and maintaining credibility of the company.
The Business plan on Data Warehousing Warehouse Business Information
Data Warehouses MGT 327 April 13 th, 2004 In the past decade, we have witnessed a computer revolution that was unimaginable. Ten to fifteen years ago, this world never would have imagined what computers would have done for business. Furthermore, the Internet and the ability to conduct electronic commerce have changed the way we are as consumers. One of the upcoming concepts of the computer ...
Eventually, the companys credibility will be tainted, not only among the consumers but in the entire e-community. Instinctively, increasing number of customers will move to competitors. To attract more customers, operational expenses will likewise have to be increased, but revenues are not guaranteed to follow suit. As profitability of the e-business division decreases, its creating ripple effects to the other divisions of the company. The legal implication of violating privacy policy brings adverse financial setback that affects profitability of the company in general. Sources: Putting the Ethics in E-Business, http://www.itworld.com/Career/1909/CWD001106/pfind ex.html Domingo, Rene T., 1997. Quality Means Survival, Prentice Hall,Toronto..
