The Impact of Technology and Ethics on Corporate Performance and Sustainability

QUESTION

• Analyze the element of innovation to ascertain its effect on organizational culture.
• Analyze the role culture plays to help or hinder performance in the face of adversity to an organization.

Action Items

1. Please address the following topic(s) in a substantive discussion post:
   • Why is innovation so closely linked to a healthy and effective culture? Why is it important?
   • In order for an effective strategic innovation or transformational innovation to occur, what cultural and leadership elements must be in place to foster this?
   • Include at least 1 scholarly references: 
     Galpin, T. (2022). Nudging innovation across the firm – aligning culture with strategy. Journal of Business Strategy, 43(1), 44-55. https://doi-org.links.franklin.edu/10.1108/JBS-07-2020-0147
   • Book Reference: Heskett, J. (2012). The culture cycle: How to shape the unseen force that transforms performance.Links to an external site. FT Press: ISBN: 9780132779784

ANSWER

The integration of technology into the daily work of employees plays a crucial role in influencing a company’s performance (Kong & Boyang, 2023). The efficient utilization of technology has a direct impact on productivity and overall operational effectiveness. However, the ethical dimension of technology use has garnered attention, particularly in cases of password leakage on popular websites, where technology has often been blamed (Kong & Boyang, 2023). This highlights the growing concern regarding the ethical implications of technology usage and the need to address these issues.

Many employees may primarily concern themselves with how corporate technology facilitates their daily tasks, possibly perceiving the ethical aspects as beyond their control. Despite being generally ethical individuals, they may not fully comprehend the ethical dimensions of technology (Kong & Boyang, 2023). This lack of awareness can become problematic when employees inadvertently fall victim to phishing attempts, leading to unauthorized access to sensitive information that can harm not only the company but also its customers and fellow employees.

Moreover, companies are increasingly adopting green technology, which necessitates responsible use by employees to reduce harmful waste during production processes (Xue, Bai, Shi, & Cui, 2023). The incorporation of green technology aligns with corporate social responsibility goals and helps sustain local development while improving resource efficiency and operational cleanliness. This shift towards green technology has profound implications for the location of operations, as it can significantly impact transportation costs. By reducing the reliance on high greenhouse gas-emitting transportation methods, such as traditional tractor trailers, companies can achieve cost savings while also reducing their environmental footprint (Xue et al., 2023). Thus, green technology not only enhances a company’s operational efficiency but also contributes positively to its environmental responsibility efforts.

In conclusion, employees’ use of technology is a critical factor influencing a company’s performance, with ethical considerations becoming increasingly important in the digital age (Kong & Boyang, 2023). The responsible use of technology, including green technology, can have far-reaching effects on a company’s profitability and environmental impact (Xue et al., 2023). Therefore, it is imperative for both employees and organizations to recognize the ethical dimensions of technology use and make informed choices that benefit not only the company but also society and the environment.