Document Type

Article

Subject Area(s)

Gender differences, Female employees, Bureaucracy, Business ethics, Workforce, Professionals, Women, Bullying, Information technology, Discrimination, Communications technology

Abstract

Which ethical problems are most frequently experienced by ICT women professionals? Which ethical problems experienced by ICT women professionals are of most concern to them as individuals? A quantitative survey of 2,315 Australian ICT professionals of whom 15.4 percent were females revealed that the top 15 most frequently faced ethical problems that the females identified were nearly identical to those identified by males. Of these 15 problems, five were judged to affect females personally. These are overworking staff, blaming others for own mistakes, bullying, unprofessional behavior, and discrimination. Of these five problems, gender only predicted three problems that affect females personally, namely overworking staff, bullying, and discrimination, which women also believed occur more frequently than other problems. Compared to males, a higher percentage of females who selected overworking staff, bullying, and discrimination believed unethical behavior either occurs occasionally or frequently. More importantly, a higher proportion of females compared to males (especially managers and consultants) witnessed or experienced staff being overworked in their workplaces. Similarly, a higher proportion of females compared to males (especially managers and consultants) witnessed or experienced bullying in their workplaces. Finally, a higher proportion of females compared to males (especially man- agers and consultants) witnessed or experienced discrimination in their workplaces. The fact that female consultants and mangers selected these problems as of most concern to them may suggest that the experienced women professionals have a greater concern about these problems than women in junior roles. Regardless, these results are both surprising and concerning and therefore deserving of attention in a future study.

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