Chapter 3

Technological, Legal,
and Ethical
Considerations
 Technology

• Technological advances allow

individuals to self-select
– what,
– when, and
– where
messages are sent and received.
 Technology Advances

• Portability – wireless computer

devices for on-the-go
communication
• Audience selectivity
• Convergence of audio, video,
text, photo, music, Internet and
phone devices
 Technology Trends
• Wireless and Internet
communication
• Changes in advertising media
• Videoconferencing
• Hoteling
• Intranets and collaborative
projects
Technology, Legal, and Ethical
Issues
• Laws- binding rules of conduct or
actions prescribed and enforced by a
governing authority
• Ethical issues – relate to value
systems and cultural beliefs about
what is acceptable or unacceptable
behavior
• Ethics – principles of conduct
governing individual or group
behavior
 Using Cell Phones and Mobile
Devices

• Respect the rights, safety, and

privacy of others.
• Your rights end where the other
person’s begin.
 Cell Phone Etiquette
• Answer the phone quickly.
• Speak quietly and end the
conversation quickly.
• Avoid taking or making calls
when others are present.
• Protect the safety of yourself and
others by not driving while using
your cell phone.
 Misuse of E-mail and Internet
Resources

• Threatens productivity
• Creates legal concerns
• May endanger the company’s
image
 Technology Privacy Issues

• Cookie
• Spam
• Phishing
• No-call lists
 Computer Fraud

• Fraud – intentional unauthorized

computer access to a wide
variety of computer records
• Worms – A type of computer
virus that steals computer
resources
 Copyright Fair Use
Determined By
• Purpose and character of use
• Nature of the copyrighted work
• Amount and portion of the work
used in relation to the
copyrighted work
• The effect of use upon the
potential market or the value of
the copyrighted work
 Copyright Issues

• Plagiarism

• Paraphrasing
 E-commerce Issues

• Legal jurisdiction

• Electronic signatures

• Website linking
Important Legal Considerations
– Contracts
• Legally binding agreement between
two or more parties
• Elements:
– Offer and acceptance
– Competency of parties
– Legality of subject matter
– Consideration
• Plain English laws
• Warranties and guarantees
Important Legal Considerations
- Credit and Collections

• Equal Credit Opportunity Act

(ECOA)
• Fair Credit Billing Act
• Fair Debt Collection Act
• Federal Truth-in-Lending Act
Important Legal Considerations
- Employment Communication
• The Civil Rights Act
• Age Discrimination in Employment
Act (ADEA)
• Labor-Management Relations Act
• Privacy Act
• Family Educational Rights and
Privacy Act (FERPA)
• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
• Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Important Legal Considerations
-Defamation and Fraud

• Defamation
– Libel
– Slander

• Fraud
 Ethical Communication

Strives for the highest good for

all involved and provides
information that is fully adequate
for the circumstances, truthful in
every sense, and not deceptive
in any way
 Global Business Ethics

To conduct business ethically in

another country, managers must
be aware of the other country’s
laws, values, and ethics.
 Codes of Conduct

Provide clear direction about

ethical behavior when the
temptation to behave unethically
is strongest
 Ethical Messages

• Integrity and honesty

• Personal and professional
responsibility
• Concern and respect for others
• Fairness to all concerned