Ethics in Knowledge Management with Web 2.0 Tools
- Inbal Nitzan
- Jul 1, 2011
- 2 min read
Updated: Nov 28, 2024
We have learned that Web 2.0 is a general term for internet usage patterns characterized primarily by the active sharing of information between users and the creation of dynamic content. Applications such as social networks, blogs, forums, comments, Wikipedia, and more allow end users to create easily accessible content with network-wide distribution. The emergence of Web 2.0 in organizations gives employees and customers the power to influence the business through internal and external organizational blogs, comments, and social networks. Today, many organizations adopt a strategy of sharing, transparency, and openness within the organization and outwardly.
Undoubtedly, Web 2.0 technology serves this strategy, but do organizations want to find themselves in such a position? Not sure... A plan of transparency and openness raises risks. It may exact a heavy price for the organization externally, in various aspects related to regulation and classified financial data, and internally, network abuse, invasion of privacy, copyright infringement, and more. Therefore, we must make judicious use of the sharing tools. We recommend defining the boundaries of openness as a charter or ethical code for using Web 2.0 technology. The ethical code allows for redefining the boundaries of transparency and reflects these boundaries in the company's policies, procedures, work processes, and information published on internal and external websites. In routine conduct according to the ethical code, employees will know how to behave on the internal and external network - it will be clear what is permitted and what is prohibited. At the same time, defining the boundaries of openness allows for creating trust and transparency. For employees who fear transparency in the internal network, this ethical code will serve as a tool to allay these fears. The charter should include principles such as:
• Transparency in employee identity (when anonymous, when identifying as an employee of the company)
Employee responsibility toward the network, the organization, and other employees
Confidentiality of business information is required when writing on the network.
Judgment and discretion
In a world of unlimited sharing and transparency, it's essential to delimit and maintain business activity within clear ethical boundaries. This approach allows organizations to uphold values such as honesty, fairness, transparency, loyalty, respect for others, consideration, and morality. These values are crucial in building stable relationships with suppliers, customers, and other stakeholders in the community. By implementing ethical guidelines for knowledge management, organizations cannot only mitigate risks but also foster trust and strengthen their relationships. Several organizations in Israel, including Bank Leumi, are already successfully implementing these guidelines.
The article is partly based on the book Open Leadership: How Social Technology Can Transform the Way You Lead by Charlene Li.
Comments