Technology has been among the fastest-growing industries in the last two decades. While technology has made tremendous strides with its innovations, creating opportunities and providing convenience, it also has some dark sides.
Did you know that the information and communications technology industry will account for 14 percent of the world’s carbon emissions by 2040? And the gender pay gap still exists in the tech industry, with women paid 1.8 percent less than men on average in 2021.
Much of the technology enterprise ecosystem is based on partnerships, whether it’s sourcing equipment, hiring technicians, or providing security. So what role should ethics play when choosing a tech partner?
When looking for a tech vendor, it’s not uncommon for companies to prioritize pricing, customer support, or innovation. Shouldn’t ethics also be important to ensure that your business isn’t contributing to problems like carbon emissions, unfair wages, or poor working conditions?
In this article, we will discuss the following:
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It’s crucial to distinguish general corporate ethics and ethics of technology. While corporate ethics relate to the treatment of employees, business conduct, and social responsibility, the ethics of technology refers to technologies with a moral dimension.
Over the many decades of technological advancements, especially in the digital space, it has become clear that many ethical dilemmas exist to address. Individuals can easily use technology for harmful purposes. For instance, the collection and sale of user data have recently garnered much attention.
Similarly, there are growing concerns about the morality of other technological advancements like artificial intelligence (AI). Every innovation has ethical implications that companies must address with clear policy goals. However, many businesses may, advertently or inadvertently, table the discussion about ethics.
Moreover, professional ethics and ethics of technology are intricately connected. The former may guide the latter and create a baseline for companies to follow.
Ethical technology ties back to human values. In simplest terms, technology and the makers behind it are ethical if they don’t violate general human values. It ultimately comes down to companies using technology ethically or foregoing their values for profits.
There’s evidence that the technology sector is aware of the importance of the ethics of technology. Many also consider these ethics when choosing partners from the industry.
A 2020 survey from software firm IFS found that companies value ethics over innovation when choosing vendors. With 29 percent, ethics ranked higher as a consideration than innovation (27 percent). However, it ranked lower than some more practical considerations, such as industry expertise (32 percent).
The software company based in Sweden surveyed over 30,000 executives from tech companies across North America, Europe, and Australia.
Interestingly, the survey also found that cultural misalignment also leads to the failure of digital transformation projects.
This survey indicates that tech executives consider ethics an essential factor when choosing partners, at least to some extent.
While considerations like vendor reputation, innovation, or service quality matter significantly, they shouldn’t outrank ethics entirely. More importantly, if your enterprise strongly focuses on professional and technology ethics, it would only make sense to partner with someone who shares those values.
In the cut-throat competition of technology sectors, it’s understandable to want the lowest price or the expert service. However, it's better to walk away if your partner is involved in unethical practices through technology, business practices, or workplace culture.
Here’s why you should take a step back and evaluate the ethics of a company before partnering with them or hiring them as your vendor:
As the survey from the Swedish software company indicates, the misalignment of culture can be a cause of the failure of projects. It’s vital to work with companies whose core values align with yours.
Vendors serve an essential role in your business, no matter their capacity. Whether you’re sourcing equipment, software, or professional services from a vendor, having similar values can make for a stronger partnership.
More importantly, your company’s values are not restricted to you only. Those values should guide your partnerships as well. You’re not acting on those values if you participate with companies contrary to them.
Considering a vendor's or partner's ethics before working for them creates more accountability in the industry. For instance, if a vendor loses business because of unethical practices, they may be inclined to implement stricter controls and better values.
Unfortunately, many companies don’t make the extra effort to evaluate the values and practices of a vendor when partnering with them.
You can check if there are any reports about the vendor being involved in unethical business practices, violation of human rights, or misuse of technology. You can also inquire directly from the company about how they implement their values and ensure the ethics of technology in practice.
Such a move can also create an example for other enterprises, promoting the importance of ethics in choosing partnerships. It can help increase accountability for companies actively involved in immoral practices in any capacity. Furthermore, it would discourage newer vendors from taking the same path.
The most significant (and practical) benefit of choosing a partner or vendor free from controversies is that it helps retain consumer trust in your brand. Even a vague link with a company involved in unethical practices can blemish your reputation.
Whether you’re a B2B or B2C business, maintaining your reputation as a company that takes its values very seriously and strictly partners with organizations with positive values can also be good for business.
Consumers are increasingly aware of corporate and technology ethics. Any report of a relationship with a foul party can cause irreparable damage to consumer loyalty, even if you are not directly involved.
In a society and an incredibly competitive industry, doing the right thing can become difficult. Nevertheless, it’s the responsibility of every business or enterprise to follow common human values and see technology from the lens of morality too.
PivIT has always used its values to guide its path, which makes it a valuable partner for its customers. Trust, integrity, and commitment are some of these values that allow PivIT to be equal in its treatment of its employees, aware of its impact, and accountable for its actions.
Based on the idea of “practice what you preach,” PivIT goes the extra mile to ensure fair business practices. PivIT’s goal is to empower businesses with technology, and it does so by sticking to its core values.
PivIT also gives back to its community with a special vested interest in foster care. The company has partnerships with several non-profits and has contributed to the foster care system.
Whether procuring hard-to-get equipment or providing maintenance for legacy systems, PivIT has proven to be a great asset for many of its clients because of its strong values based on the universal principles of ethics.