Paper Analysis

Summary
In the given paper the author carried deep studies about impact of inter usage on Consumer
ethical decision making process. The author tries to bring together the consumer ethics and
ethical consumerism. The moral nature of the consumers is taken on the board and it is further
generalized with decision making process. For example he gives reference of (Mullen and
Horner 2004). He supported his arguments by strong theories given in the paper. Most of the
work by the author is based theories.

The authors highlighted the issues of human behavior and ethical problems while using the
internet and its services. The risks from which the consumers can face through ethical decision
making process are discussed. The paper studies mostly addressing the concerns of piracy and
the reservation of consumers on it. Author tries to resolve the issue on which consumers has
some hesitation. He draws a comprehensive flow chart of the ethical decision making process
addressing and resolving the issue.

Arguments of Author
The author tries to bring together the ethics of computer, consumer ethics and ethical
consumerism the proposed model which supporting the argumentation representing the all
these 3 issues. He also tries to establish link between computer and consumer ethics which
comes in action during internet services. The risks of different types and on different stages
have taken into account. The proposed module of author shows these theories. The flow of
decision making diagram is quite simply represented. The theories in paper is trustable is quite
well elaborated.

The author made a base for the research “The Hunt and Vitell’s” model. The author highlighted
missing points which can improve the theories of computer and consumers ethics in the Hunt
and Vitell’s model. The Hunt and Vitell start the process of decision making with Cultural
Environment, Reference Group and personal Experience. But the Author put the risky effect
into the model to make it as satisfactory as possible. “Issues of Risk Judgment Model” represent
the issues which can affect the ethical consumer’s decision making process. The Model further
explains the Moral intensity and Moral Judgment. The Author also put the “Situation Specific
Issue” into basic of decision making process. The combination of the Risk Judgment and the
Upgraded hunt and Vitell model drawn perfectly showing the propose method for solving the
ethical consumers problems during decision making Process.
Further Work
The Author Draw a Model of Decision making for consumers using online facilities. The model
is very comprehensive but for specific fields. Like Soft wares, Videos. And mostly focus on
piracy. It should be extended to wide range of fields. Like Online Banking, Ticketing and in many
more fields. SIX-STAGE PROCESS OF ETHICAL DECISION-MAKING [Edward J. O=Boyle, Ph.D.
Mayo Research Institute]. This Model covers computing ethical decision making process. It has
wide range for decision making process. But the problem is, it has no ability for Risk Judgment
while author focuses more on risk which is a positive point. So the Further work can be done if
these both models are brought together for consumers who are using online services. The Risk
judgment Model should be merge into the Figure presented by the Edward J. O=Boyle, Ph.D.

Author’s Risk Judgment Model

1. Perception 2. Decrement
Perceived Risks
Proposed Bridging

1. Perceived Risk

2. Performance Risk

3. Prosecution Risk
6. Decrement 3. Resolution
4. Social Risk

5. Decision 4. Assessment
Proposed Execution of Ethical Decision Making for Interne
SIX-STAGE PROCESS OF ETHICAL DECISION-MAKING
[Edward J. O=Boyle, Ph.D. Mayo Research Institute].
The proposal which we made is combination of two models. Just Like the author did by
Upgrading the hunt and Vitell Model. Our Model Needs required some analysis which we did
not do by the lack of time.

Final Remarks

The over all work in the paper is good. Excellent literature study is done by the author. Very
deep and separate study of Consumers ethics, computer ethics and consumerism is taken into
interest. Highlight the different issues about decision making process. The point of views of
consumers and their reservations are also discussed. More importantly the risk areas are
highlighted during the process and told about the ways how it can be controlled and convincing
for the consumers.

Some short comings are also noted in this paper. It has specific issues for which the process is
build. Dominantly for the controlling and creating intension about the piracy issues which
comes for the online consumers. It should be for every issue which comes in front of consumer
which does take part in online business.

References

 An ethical Decision making Process for Computing Professionals

By
Edward J. O’Boyle,
This paper was published in Ethics and Information Technology, Volume 4, Number 4,
2002. For more information about this journal, go to
http://www.kluweronline.com/issn/1388-1957/contents
Questions and comments should be directed to:
Edward J. O=Boyle, Ph.D.
Mayo Research Institute
1217 Dean Chapel Road, West Monroe, LA 71291 USA
Tel: 318-396-5779E-mail: edoboyle@earthlink.net
  Ethical Decision making and Evolution
By

Lynda Berends
EvaluationJournalofAustralasia, Vol.7, No.2, 2007

 http://cnx.org/content/m13757/latest/