Understanding unethical behaviors in online environments

Charki, Mohamed Hédi; Josserand, Emmanuel; Boukef-Charki, Nabila

Charki, Mohamed Hédi; Josserand, Emmanuel; Boukef-Charki, Nabila (2010), Understanding unethical behaviors in online environments, in Toombs, Leslie, Academy of Management Proceedings 2010, Academy of Management. http://dx.doi.org/10.5465/AMBPP.2010.54485863

Type

Communication / Conférence

Date

2010

Conference title

70th Annual Meeting of the Academy of Management

Conference date

2010-08

Conference city

Montréal

Conference country

Canada

Book title

Academy of Management Proceedings 2010

Book author

Toombs, Leslie

Publisher

Academy of Management

Series title

Academy of Management Proceedings

Series number

863

Abstract (EN)

The article explores how actors interpret and deal with the unethical use of new technology in an online environment, such as online reverse auctions (ORA). The interpretation subtleties of technology initiators, buyers and suppliers are presented through interviews. Unethical behaviors associated with ORA use include repetitive re-bidding to drive prices down, allowing unqualified bidders to bid, and reduced product quality to preserve profit margins. Such behaviors are said to have led ORA to be negative or coercive technology. ORA has also been described as the technology that has raised the greatest number of ethical concerns in electronic commerce.

Subjects / Keywords

High technology; Auctions; Electronic commerce; Profit margins; Bidders; Internet sales

JEL

L81 - Retail and Wholesale Trade; e-Commerce
M15 - IT Management