Public Perceptions of Ethical Challenges and Opportunities for Enterprises in the Digital Age

Abstract

Background: Contemporary organisations are surrounded by more problematic ethical challenges due to the growing role of supercomputers in society, striving to harmonize organisational processes with ethical and technological solutions. These challenges relate broadly to the nature of technological advancements in the use of digital technologies and their associated ethical implications. 

Objective: To analyse the ethical dilemmas organisations come across in the current environment and offer appropriate recommendations on handling these concerns, especially ethical management, stakeholder management and acknowledgement. 

Methodology: The study employed a descriptive survey design, utilising a structured questionnaire as the primary data collection instrument. The quantitative analysis methods used in this study encompassed descriptive statistical analysis, inferential statistical analysis, correlation analysis, hypothesis testing, and regression analysis to establish patterns of relationships. 

Results: The leading ethical issues for participants were: personal data protection (mean score = 4.2), ethical usage of AI algorithms (mean score = 3.9), job displacement due to AI technology (mean score = 3.1), and the digital divide. Statistical analysis demonstrated positive and significant associations: Data privacy and ethical prioritisation (t-value = 45, p < 0.001), Algorithmic ethics and ethical prioritisation (B = 0.35, p = 0.004), Factor analysis identified three critical variables: data privacy and security, ethical algorithms and workforce displacement accounted for 75% of the variance on average. Hypothesis testing revealed significant differences by industry in the ethical standards evidenced (F(2, 265) = 5.23, p = 0.002, η² = 0.14).

Conclusion: Although organisations understand that ethics is a critical component of their operations, they often face numerous and significant barriers to ethics.

Unique Contribution: This research makes a significant contribution to the literature by highlighting the major ethical issues contemporary organisations face and by offering balanced, specific advice on how organisations can address these issues within the context of digitalisation. 

Key Recommendation: Organisations should adopt ethical leadership, actively engage stakeholders, and enhance organisational transparency to resolve ethical challenges, while also contributing to sustainable development in a digital landscape.