Module III

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The Impact of Information and Communication

Technology in the Society

This module discusses the perspective of Information and Communication

Technology in its societal impact on societal structural variation and influence among
human behavior, beliefs, culture and norms. It will also cover ICT’s impact on individual
reception of diversity and its emersion to growing technology.

After successfully completing this module, you should be able to:

• Recognize societal capability of adapting change;

• Identify behavioral impact of recognizing change brought by ICT;
• Categorize distinction of its impact on belief, culture and art;
• Define variance of individual reception toward change;
• Know the capacity of ICT to merge on societal adaptation to change;
• Qualifies ICT capacity to navigate life to progress.

• Weblinks for substantial reading and information reference

• Online videos for visual representation and demonstration
• PDF document as printed/non-printed material as evidence of topic resource
• Virtual Meeting for class discussion, brainstorming and exchange of ideas

Introduction: The Change Process

There are certain factors that bring about the success or downfall of a
development, innovation or change that is being introduced. Understanding the change
process will help you move toward getting a more positive outcome.
The process of accepting change every time a change is introduced is very
essential; adaptation of this change undergoes a step-by-step process. Acceptance and
rejection of the innovation can occur at any point in this process.
1. Awareness – this is the stage when you are made aware that a change has been
initiated. At first you may only express passive interest and will not necessarily seek
further information.
2. Interest – this stage is characterized by active information seeking about the change.
The fact that you have reached this stage means that you have an open attitude
 toward the change being initiated. It is here that you find out more about and most
likely begin to formulate positive or negative attitudes toward change.
3. Evaluation – this is the part where you do a “mental trial.” You think of what the change
can do for you and how it will affect you and to ascertain if it is worth trying out.
4. Trial – this is when the change goes through a road test. You try it out and see if you
are comfortable with it.
5. Adoption – at this stage results of the trial are weighed and considered and on the
basis of the result you may make a decision to adopt (or reject) the change.
6. Integration – even after a favorable decision has already been made, true adoption
cannot be considered to have taken place unless you have absorbed and already
consider the change as part of your routine.

Reaction to Change

Change is a normal part of life. You cannot get away from it; neither can you get
away from coping with it. People demonstrate different reactions to different changes.

Positive Attitude Toward Change

To have an effective coping mechanism and positive attitude toward change, you
need to have a sense of:

1. Self-acceptance – accept who you are.

2. Responsibility – consider yourself accountable for your behavior.
3. Confidence – have faith in your abilities and potentials.
4. Objectivity – be free from emotional biases or prejudices.
5. Direction – welcome new ideas, new experiences and set realistic goals.
6. Individuality – consider yourself as separate and distinct from others.
7. Commitment – pledge yourself to a course of action.

Is resistance to change constructive?

The answer is yes. Even resistance can be considered a positive attitude toward
change, that is, if the resistance is constructive.

Constructive resistance can be:

1. Voicing out a concern which you feel is being downplayed by the team.
2. Complaining about the lack of information about the planned change; or
3. Requesting for explanation on the objectives of the change.
Negative Attitude Toward Change
Negative Coping Mechanism

People cope with change in various ways. This is normal and we do this to distance
ourselves from distressing feelings. However, you have to remember that some of these
coping mechanisms began even in our childhood and are to be outgrown as we mature:

1. Rationalization – providing “explanation” to excuse in consist or irrational behavior.

2. Minimizing – protecting oneself from worry or anxiety by viewing significant events or
problem behavior as being less important (smaller) than they actually are.
3. Externalization – believing outside forces or circumstances are the cause of one’s to
avoid accepting responsibility for such behavior.
4. Intellectualization – using lengthy argument or going into tiny details (deflecting
behavior) to distract oneself from the task at hand.
5. Projection – attributing one’s own undesirable traits or thoughts onto another person.
6. Displacement – redirecting emotions such as anger from the source of frustration and
discharging them onto other persons, objects or ideas.
7. Undoing – engaging in behavior designed to symbolically make amends for or negate
previously unacceptable thoughts, feelings or actions.
8. Regression – returning to less mature level of behavior.
9. Fantasy – escaping from an unpleasant or undesirable situation through daydreaming,
tuning out or not paying attention.
10. Acting-out – acting without reflection or apparent regard for negative consequences.
11. Passive aggression – indirectly and unassertively expressing aggression toward
others.

Negative Reaction to Change

Stubborn or baseless resistance is a negative response to change that comes as

a result of outside forces hanging on to the old, denying that the change is taking place
or simply pretending that it is not happening. Contracting and hardening in the face of
change makes you more brittle and thus more breakable.

Why do people resist change?

People resist change due to any of the following reasons:

1. A desire not to lose something of value;

• threat to kill and competence

• threat to status or power base
• fear of failure
• fear of looking stupid

2. A misunderstanding of the change and its implications;

 • fear of the unknown
• lack of information
• reluctant to experiment
3. A belief that the change does not make sense in the organization and/or oneself;
• no perceived benefit/s
4. A low tolerance for change.
5. Personal conflict;
• little trust in oneself or in the organizational climate
• poor relationship

Learning to Cope with Change

How to improve our capacity to cope?

1. Provide time for thinking about and dealing with the change.
2. Set realistic goals for yourself and be flexible in reaching them.
3. Utilize a positive approach instead of antagonism toward the flow of change.
4. Build on the ideas or skills you get from change.
5. Accept that each person is different.
6. Be receptive to change.
7. Initiate change.

How groups can effectively cope with change?

1. Continuing reward
2. Practice and routinization
3. Structural integration into the system
4. Continuing evaluation
5. Continuing adaptation capability

On the other side of the fence are “losing teams,” teams who will not be able to
cope with any change because they do not have what it takes. Make sure that your team
does not belong to this group.

Losing Team:

1. Bring people together only because they like each other.

2. Focus more on the team itself rather than the outcome.
3. Are too small or too large in size.
4. Do not have the necessary skills available for the task.
5. Do not increase their capabilities through training.
6. Accept ideas only from superior.
7. Are whose fighting or arguing is common.
8. Are where flight (audience, denial, running away) is common.
9. Do not support each other.
10. Ignore the need for individual recognition.

Ethical and Social Issues in the Information Age

Some background on ethics…

A part of philosophy that is concerned with;

1. Living well
2. Being a good person
3. Doing the right thing
4. Getting along with people

Ethics can be affected because of traditions or culture practices and institutions.

Ethics is the actual values and rules of conduct by which we line.
Ethics is largely a matter of individual choice and commitment rather than of obedience
to already established authorities.
Ethics is a branch of philosophy that deals with what is considered to be right and wrong.
Ethics are the moral standards that help guide your behavior, actions and choices.
Ethics are grounded in the notion of responsibility and accountability.
Laws exist to govern conduct and often simplify choices of behavior.
Choices are often more complex and difficult when laws do not exist or when their
applications to new situations are unclear.

A Frame for Ethical Decision-making

(To balance situation or decide two conflicting ethical demands)

Here are some long-standing, broad based ethical principles that help to deal with
such situations.

1. The Golden Rule

“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

2. The greatest good/least harm

When choosing between actions, select the one that achieves the greatest good for
the greatest number and that causes the least harm.

3. Kant’s categorical imperative

 If the action is not right for everyone to take then it is not right for anyone to take. Think
about what would happen if everyone acted as you proposed to do.

4. The slippery-slope rule

Actions that bring about a small acceptable change but if taken repeatedly would lead
to unacceptable changes and that, it should not be taken in the first place. This is the
slippery-slope rule, be careful starting down a path because once you start, you may
not be able to stop.

5. No “free lunch”
Assume that all tangible and intangible objects belong to someone unless there is a
specific statement otherwise. There is no free lunch, meaning, if something is created
by someone else and is useful to you, the creator deserves to be compensated.

In applying these principles, the following procedure can be helpful.

1. Review the facts of the situation.
2. Define the conflict or dilemma that is facing you. In doing so you should attempt to
classify the values and principles at stake.
3. Identify the stakeholders involved.
4. Consider all options that you might reasonable to take.
5. Identify the potential consequences of each option.
6. Consider what those in the community around you might recommend or expect you
to do.

Many companies and professional organization develop their own code of ethics.
Code of Ethics – is a collection of principles intended as guide for members of a
company or an organization.

Ten Commandments for Computer Ethics

1. Thou shall not use a computer to harm other people.

2. Thou shall not interfere with other people’s computer work.
3. Thou shall not snoop around in other people’s computer file.
4. Thou shall not use a computer to steal.
5. Thou shall not use a computer to bear false witness.
6. Thou shall not use or copy proprietary software for which you have not paid.
7. Thou shall not use other people’s computer resources without authorization or
proper compensation.
8. Thou shall not appropriate other people’s intellectual output.
9. Thou shall think about the social consequences of the program you are writing or
the program you are designing.
10. Thou shall use a computer in ways that show consideration and respect for your
fellow humans.
 The diversity of ICT applications and the increased use of the technology have
created a variety of ethical issues. R.O. Mason and others categorized ethical issues into
four:

1. Privacy Issues – this includes collection, storage and dissemination of information

about individuals.
2. Accuracy Issues – this includes authenticity, fidelity and accuracy of information
collected and processed.
3. Property Issues – this includes ownership and value of information (intellectual
property).
4. Accessibility Issues – this includes right to access information and payment of fees
to access it.

ICT Impacts and the Society

Over the last decade, Information and Communication Technology or ICT has
come to play a significant role in society. Our society has become more accustomed to
having the benefits of ICT, which has changed the way people live and interact with one
another. People have incorporated ICT into their everyday lives, such as using cell
phones to make calls, withdrawing cash out of the ATM, or using the computer to browse
the internet. Not only has ICT made an impact on people’s personal lives, but it has also
made an impact on how businesses operate and in revolutionizing the business industry.
ICT has also led to the enhancement of education. Since education and the business
industry are connected to the economy, ICT has become a major factor in the growing
global economy. However, some questions have emerged on how these effects can be
measured and why we should expose these effects to the public. With ICT being such a
big contributor to society through businesses, education, and the global economy, it is
important for the public to measure and observe both the positive and negative impacts
of ICT so that they can best prepare for the future.
Information communications technology (ICT) has the power to transform society.
It plays a key role in each of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals,
providing the infrastructure needed to achieve them. It also enables financial inclusion
through e-commerce and allows people to connect with millions instantaneously.
The impact of ICT on business is particularly significant. It empowers people to
share knowledge and advice instantaneously and set up an online shop or website at a
low cost, dramatically lowering the barriers to starting a business. As such, it is an
important enabler of change and ICT maturity is closely linked to economic growth.
Advances in technology have always been used by for-profits to increase revenue.
However, government bodies and NGOs have struggled to successfully apply them for
social good. An emerging type of business, the social business, is bridging the gap
between the two.

ICT and the social business

Social businesses are driven by a social cause, but seek financial stability in order
to further their impact. ICT is playing a central role in the emergence and development of
social businesses. These companies are driven by a social cause, but seek financial
stability through profit making in order to further their impact. This combination is allowing
them to effectively utilize technology for good.
The impact of ICT infrastructure on social businesses cannot be understated. It
has made social impact affordable, scalable, and enables new ways to connect to and
engage with local communities (a key characteristic of the social business). ICT is
developing social businesses in three main ways:
▪ Affordability. Starting any business can be financially challenging. But for social
entrepreneurs, whose primary intent is to engage with local communities rather than
to make profit, it can be particularly daunting. In the initial stages, it can also be difficult
to convince investors to part with their money for a social cause.

ICT solutions have decreased set-up costs in an unprecedented way. This helps social
entrepreneurs to make it through this uncertain period without major investments or
losses – and advice is only the click of a button away.

▪ Scalability. ICT infrastructure allows us to connect instantaneously with millions. For

social entrepreneurs, this means that their initiatives are not just limited to one
community; they can easily reach the people they want to empower and spread their
message far and wide.

Many social businesses also utilize ICT solutions to optimize processes, reduce costs
and increase accuracy, enabling the business to be scaled up faster. For example,
Sanergy in Nairobi, Kenya, uses radiofrequency identification sensors to alert the
waste team to when a toilet needs to be emptied. SiembraViva in Medellín, Colombia,
is developing solutions that will allow them to monitor, harvests remotely and alert
farmers to problems quickly.

▪ Community. To ensure lasting empowerment, social businesses work from within the
community. As previously highlighted, ICT allows social entrepreneurs to continuously
connect with the people they wish to empower in a direct and engaging way.

Online channels are also an incredibly powerful way to broadcast business messages.
Although the presence of a social business is very much on the ground within the
community, its story can be told online through webpages and social media, reaching
a global audience.

ICT is empowering social businesses to make a real difference in communities around

the world, securing a better future for the digital generations to come.

ICT for Disaster Management

Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) play a significant role in

disaster prevention, mitigation response and recovery. Timely, predictable and effective
information is much needed by government agencies and other humanitarian actors
involved in rescue operations and decision-making processes.
Effective Crisis Management relies on integration of emergency plans at all levels
of government and non-government. It is evident that by no means, natural or man-made
disasters can be fully prevented. Only the loss caused by these events can be prevented
or minimized.
 ICT can be used to minimize this impact in many ways. In the disaster mitigation
and preparedness process ICT is widely used to create early warning systems. An early
warning system may use more than one ICT media in parallel and these can be radio,
TV, telephone, SMS, cell broadcasting or the internet. In the immediate aftermath of a
crisis, special software packages built for the purpose can be used for activities such as
registering missing persons, administrating on line requests and keeping track of relief
organization or camps of displaced persons. In addition, GIS and remote sensing
software/hardware are used effectively in all phases of disaster management. A spatial
data infrastructure – a prototype web-based system that facilitates spatial data collection,
access, dissemination and usage for proper disaster management is a very handy tool.
Creation of a regional info system which is significant for assessing the damage
and needs of all kinds is the action that is most dependent on the use of ICT. The data
banks also save time since all of the information is gathered together and could be needed
in coordination for the immediate action. Furthermore, communication is the key element
in all of the phases in the process.
ICT is significant for successful implementation of post disaster management. The
use of information technologies is increasing yet there are some problems. The lack of
data and the weaknesses of those that exist, failure of the managers to consider the
needs of the users, the lack of organization, weakness of available software, deficient
quality and the content of the information especially on the chaotic nature of world wide
web.

Activities / Assessment:

1. Reflect on the Negative Coping Mechanisms then identify three in which you can best
differentiate yourself. Discuss each in maximum of 200 words.
2. Identify the best two ethical standards from the frames of ethical decision-making that
you can best describe your principle in decision-making. Write it in maximum of 200 –
300 words.
3. Among the ten commandments of computer ethics, choose three in which you think
you can best apply, why or why not.