Is There a Place for Ethics in IT? DiscusshowaCIOmighthandleSchragesscenariosusingthevirtueethics approach,thefairnessapproach,theutilitarianapproach,andthecommongood approach. Using the virtue ethics approach in dealing with the first scenario, CIOs should takethe information into the concerned party's awareness. This is the right thing to dobecause telling the truth and not withholding the true information is a moral act anda sign of good virtue. Though knowing in advance the probable lay-offs that mighthappen may eventually affect the completion of the CRM project or the performanceoftheprogrammers,disclosurewouldfree-upCIOsfromunpredictableandmoresevere complications that may arise. But before full disclosure of the maintenanceoutsourcing, careful planning and contingency plans have to be in place to addresspossible implications or complications.It may just be one of the application of themaxim the truth will set you free, freeing the CIOs from problems to some extentbroughtaboutbyunpredictableconsequences. ThesecondscenarioregardingameddlingbosswouldbejustasSchragedeemittobebutwithsomeadditions.Dewey, Gupta and others are right in upholding a virtue ethics approach a well-planned, well-presented disclosure is indispensable. A carefully crafted exposition ofrelevantinformationiseffectiveinlesseningnegativereactions,calmsdownemotions, relieves tension, and assures and builds-up confidence. Fairnessapproachmightrequiresomewhatabroaderperspective.Thisentailsconsidering all concerned parties to be treated the same. Such consideration mightincludetheyearningoftheprogrammersforjobretentionbeingtheoneswhodeveloped the CRM system as understood in the first scenario. Also, in line with theprojectisCIOsutmostdesireofprotectingitsinterestsinthedevelopmentandutilization of the software. It may now become not simple in selecting which of thesetwoconflictinginterestswouldneedgreaterweightdisregardingpersonalbias.Wheninsistingtoconsiderfairnessforthedecisionwithsystemmaintenanceoutsourcingremaininginplace,informationdisclosurecoupledwithreasonablyremunerations upon project completion with opportunities for rehire can be assuring.Rewards and letting the concerned parties well-informed on the early phase of their plight and not being caught empty-handed is a fair assessment of their contribution and justification of their effort in the project. The other scenario, on the other hand wouldrequireinformationdisclosureeventoameddlingsuperiorinatimely, appropriate, and well-balanced manner. A well-balanced disclosure contains equal treatmentoftheaffectedparties(programmersandthecompany)presentedina non-provoking manner. Utilitarian approach ensures that the outcome of the decision provides for the bestover-allbenefitofallthoseinvolvedintheCRMproject.InscenariooneasexemplifiedbySchrage,non-disclosureofpossiblepersonnelretrenchmentsresultingfromsystemmaintenanceoutsourcingcouldbetheethicalmove.Considering that timely completion of the CRM system is the main objective of theproject, any activity or happening that may hamper this goal is undesirable. Asidefrom the possible loss of focus among programmers resulting from their awarenessofpossiblybeinglaid-off,anatmosphereofdistrustmayarisejeopardizingproductive project activities. Even though work tenure or eventually loss of paycheckbenefits would ensue as two thirds of the professional programmers would lost theirjobs,thecompanyis stillassured ofitscontinuityofoperationtherebywarrantingjobsandincomeforthenewsetofworkers.Theotherscenarioshouldcompeldisclosureofinformationeventoacounter-productivelyinterveningboss.Thereasonhereisthatthoughhisorhermeddlingmaydisruptpresentprojectdevelopment activities, it is always the boss' prerogative of ensuring that the group'seffortsareproductive.Heorsheisresponsiblefortheover-allproductivityofthedevelopmentteamsuchthatactionsaimedforthecompanyortheentiregroup'sbenefitisexpected.Withholdingevenatrivialinformationmayhavesomehugeundesirable outcome if undisclosed and not addressed earlier, with those hiding itcould well be subjected to tough punitive actions. When the common good approach is applied for choosing which decision to handout,thefirstscenariobySchragewouldnecessitaterevealingofthepersonneloutsourcing that would eventually result to two-thirds work force lay-off. It may seemirresponsible with such an action,looking at the figure of those who will eventuallylose their jobs, those who would be financially and emotionally affected, but lookingat a greater perspective, the other side could be all but bright. First considering CIOsachieving their plan means continued corporate operation based on the company'sgoal or target, that is, maintenance of the CRM system outsourced. This implies thattheir company could still continue services as planned, being able to provide incometo those new people that will be hired as the CRM runs and serves into operation.Though much more than half lost their jobs due to this outsourcing, they may nothave lost they final paycheck due them, and to the most, they would never lost inthemtheexpertise,experiences,andknowledgegainedup-totheprojectcompletion.Thisisthenotionofthecommongoodsomemayhavelostfewopportunities, while others gain them, with the finale that the majority has benefitedfromthesamesource.Thesameargumentfollowsfortheotherscenario.Fulldisclosureisinevitabledespitethepossiblecounterproductivenaturethatmayresult. People might lose jobs but there are always replacements that take-over theresponsibilities who logically reap the benefits inherent to the work.