This document discusses social and ethical design considerations for information systems. It notes that human-centered systems allow users to work effectively without struggling with technology. When designing systems, factors like furniture ergonomics, lighting, temperature, and noise levels should be considered to minimize health issues. Systems should also aim to increase work satisfaction while decreasing stress. The document outlines some ethical issues involving information systems such as environmental impact, equity and access, privacy, freedom of information, computer crime, and copyright.

1. 1.2) Social and
Ethical Design

2. • Information systems should be
designed to take into account the
strengths and weaknesses of both
people and machines.
• Machine-centred systems are
designed to simplify what the
computers must do at the expense of
the user.
• They are usually powerful tools but
confusing to use and require a lot of
training.

3. • Human-centred systems are those that
let participants work effectively
without having to struggle with the
technology.
• Most systems that are used today are
more user-friendly than in the past.
• User-friendly systems are
characterised by:

4. • prompts in non-technical terms
• similar appearance and structure
of different applications
• menu structure is logical and
simple to follow
• provides ‘beginner’ and
‘advanced’ options
• allows work to be imported easily
• regularly saves so less chance of
lost work

5. • When systems are being designed it is
important to consider the health and
safety issues and the nature of work.
• The relationship between people and
their work environment is called
ergonomics.
• Things to be considered with
ergonomics and information systems
include:

6. • furniture – chairs, tables,
keyboards, workstations, monitor,
etc.
• lighting – reduced glare, evenness
• climate – temperature and
o o
humidity (20 C – 23 C; 30% - 70%)
• air quality – removal of particle s
and ozone
• noise – should be < 55 dB

7. • New systems need to increase work
satisfaction and decrease stress.
• Stress could result from :
• an increased workload
• inadequate job design
• lack of social interaction
• concerns about job security
• Ethics is a set of beliefs we hold about
what is right and wrong.

8. • Ethical issues involving the use of
information systems include:
• environmental damage
• equity and access
• invasion of privacy
• freedom of information
• computer crime
• copyright

9. • Information systems can both reduce
and increase pollution.
• Decreased pollution comes from:
• decreased communication
transport
• tele-commuting reducing traffic
• country access to electronic
services reducing crowding &
overpopulation

10. • Increased pollution comes from:
• toxic chemicals in computer
manufacturing
• increased use of fossil fuels to
power devices
• Equity concerns equal rights for all.
• I.T. has the potential to give many
people equal access to education,
employment, medical treatment and
many other benefits.

11. • It can also overcome differences in
race, sex, location and disability.
• However, people may be
disadvantaged because they do not
have access due to costs or
technology fears.
• This lack of access may lead to other
inequities because a lot of things are
being computerised these days, e.g.
bill paying.