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Ethical implications of internet monitoring: A comparative study

Information Systems Frontiers volume 12, pages 433–441 (2010)Cite this article

Abstract

Organizations have become increasingly concerned about employee use of the Internet for personal reasons while at work. Monitoring Internet usage has become more and more prevalent in the workplace. While there may be legitimate business functions such as employee performance appraisal that are served by monitoring, poorly designed and communicated monitoring practices can have negative effects on employee morale and may be considered an invasion of privacy. Universities are another venue where Internet monitoring occurs. This paper explores whether there was a significant difference in attitude towards Internet usage and monitoring at the university as compared to the workplace. It is the result of a comparative study.

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Acknowledgement

The authors would like to thank Matthew North for his helpful comments.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Computer Science/Information Technology, Sacred Heart University, 5151 Park Ave, Fairfield, CT, 06825, USA

    Frances S. Grodzinsky

  2. Welch College of Business, Sacred Heart University, 5151 Park Ave, Fairfield, CT, 06825, USA

    Andra Gumbus

  3. Sociology Department, Sacred Heart University,, 5151 Park Ave, Fairfield, CT, 06825, USA

    Stephen Lilley

Authors
  1. Frances S. Grodzinsky
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  2. Andra Gumbus
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  3. Stephen Lilley
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Correspondence to Frances S. Grodzinsky.

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Grodzinsky, F.S., Gumbus, A. & Lilley, S. Ethical implications of internet monitoring: A comparative study. Inf Syst Front 12, 433–441 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10796-009-9205-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10796-009-9205-9

Keywords

  • Internet monitoring
  • Autonomy
  • Fairness
  • Workplace
  • University