| Ethical decisions related to development and use of information systems (I.S.) are subject to several factors. Research shows that legal codes, corporate policies, and professional codes of conduct are among the main factors that influence individuals' courses of action. However, culture, gender, and age are also believed to have substantial influence on individuals in making ethical decisions.; This study explored similarities and differences between two cultures, the USA and the Sultanate of Oman, in ethics opinions relating to the I.S. field. In this study, the researcher explored similarities and differences between these two cultures' I. S. ethics through surveying American and Omani computer users from the banking industry. All survey respondents were I.S. users, but not all were I.S. majors or professionals.; Respondents completed a survey on personal use of company I.S. resources; use of company I.S. resources for personal, family's, and/or friends' gain; and company monitoring of employee use of its I.S. resources. In general, while interesting statistical differences were found in the strength of several responses, there was no disagreement as to the ethicality or non-ethicality of the behaviors in question. Although the study is not definitive, the author found this consistency to be encouraging evidence of a common foundation for I.S.-related commerce between the two cultures.; The researcher hopes this effort will be a contribution to the mutual understanding of ways that members of these two cultures decide what is right and what is wrong in the I.S. field. |
