Blog Entry 11

Ethical Dilemma: Chapter 11 – Codes of conduct

Approximately, one year ago, an editor of this book carried out an informal survey among his academic colleagues who were members of BCS. He approached each and asked if they could state two points contained within the BCS Code of Conduct. Two of these people responded by indicating that they did not know that the BCS had a professional code of conduct. Two indicated that while they knew the code of conduct existed, they never had looked at it. The remaining two – who indicated their awareness of the code of conduct and recalled having looked at it – stated that they could not recall its content.

These were clearly dismal results, particularly as the question was asked of people who had been members for some time.

In this book, we have discussed the BCS Code of Conduct in some detail – to what extent do you believe this code of conduct is important and/or more relevant? Why would YOU join the BCS? If you are a student in a university department studying Computer Science or IT, have you been offered a BCS membership application form? Are you aware of the opportunities for networking, and for joining special interest group? These are certainly good reasons to join the BCS – but on the other hand, during your professional career, do you believe that the framework defined within the BCS Code of Conduct is likely to be relevant and/or useful?

Answer:

In some manner the believed of one individual with regards to the BCS either member or not depends and on how it was being exposed to the public matter. Our point is that, the data gathered by those students response about BCS was surely enough to tell that the BCS org. itself has not completely put extra awareness to their expected viewers and followers. Hence, the level of its effectiveness differs on how they let the people know and comprehend with such codes and ethics of their published organization.