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Book ChapterDOI

Software Engineering: A New Professionalism

01 Jan 1997-pp 21-31
TL;DR: It is argued that the traditional concept of professionalism is not appropriate for Software Engineering and there is a newer, more appropriate meaning of profession which is currently achievable by software engineers and will move Software Engineering in a positive direction.
Abstract: Computing is at a stage in its development that engineering was at in the United States 80 years ago. It is at that point where it can decide to become a “profession” or remain merely a profitable occupation. This is a significant decision for computer practitioners and for society at large. Many conceptual muddles have to be avoided or cleared up before making this decision. I believe one such muddle has to do with the concept of a professional as it is related to Software Engineering. I argue that the traditional concept of professionalism is not appropriate for Software Engineering. There is a newer, more appropriate meaning of profession which is currently achievable by software engineers and will move Software Engineering in a positive direction. The evidence for my argument is drawn from three computing societies’ developing codes of ethics, conduct and practice. These codes indicate an awareness that a different sense of professionalism is required for Software Engineering to be a profession.
Citations
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BookDOI
01 Jan 2004
TL;DR: This paper explored the development of information systems and computer ethics along separate trajectories over the 20 years since the first Manchester Conference, and pondered how things might have been and could be different.
Abstract: This paper explores the development of information systems and computer ethics along separate trajectories over the 20 years since the first Manchester Conference, and ponders how things might have been and could be different. Along each trajectory, the challenge of aligning theory and practice has stimulated much research. We evaluate some of this research with respect to this alignment, discuss ethical theories and behavior, and explore the role of education in the development of practitioners who can and do behave ethically. We recommend the inclusion of the ethics of care, and more research into the teaching and learning of ethics as part of the personal journey of students, teachers, and practitioners.

3,361 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is argued that feminist ethics, coupled with aspects of feminist legal and political theory, may offer a fruitful, novel direction for analyzing computer ethics problems, and certainly those that contain substantial differences, and therefore inequalities, in men's and women's experiences on-line.

67 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The Software Engineering Code of Ethics and Professional Practice has recently been approved and this article looks at the immediate and long-term implications.
Abstract: The Software Engineering Code of Ethics and Professional Practice has recently been approved. This article looks at the immediate and long-term implications: Why does a profession need a code of ethics? How will this code function in an emerging profession like software engineering? What impact will it have on software practitioners?.

46 citations

Book ChapterDOI
01 Jan 2004
TL;DR: This paper explores the development of information systems and computer ethics along separate trajectories over the 20 years since the first Manchester Conference, and ponders how things might have been and could be different.
Abstract: This paper explores the development of information systems and computer ethics along separate trajectories over the 20 years since the first Manchester Conference, and ponders how things might have been and could be different. Along each trajectory, the challenge of aligning theory and practice has stimulated much research. We evaluate some of this research with respect to this alignment, discuss ethical theories and behavior, and explore the role of education in the development of practitioners who can and do behave ethically. We recommend the inclusion of the ethics of care, and more research into the teaching and learning of ethics as part of the personal journey of students, teachers, and practitioners.

24 citations

Proceedings Article
01 Jan 2004
TL;DR: An analysis of the features of competition in the market, the global nature of the packaged software market and the nature of product development concludes that professionalism, as usually conceived in computer ethics, does not apply particularly well to software vendors and calls for a broader definition of professionalism to include software vendors, not just software developers.
Abstract: Within the IS literature there is little discussion on selling software products in general and especially from the ethical point of view. Similarly, within computer ethics, although there is much interest in professionalism and professional codes, in terms of accountability and responsibility, the spotlight tends to play on safety-critical or life-critical systems, rather than on software oriented towards the more mundane aspects of work organisation and society. With this research gap in mind, we offer a preliminary ethical investigation of packaged software selling. Through an analysis of the features of competition in the market, the global nature of the packaged software market and the nature of product development we conclude that professionalism, as usually conceived in computer ethics, does not apply particularly well to software vendors. Thus, we call for a broader definition of professionalism to include software vendors, not just software developers. Moreover, we acknowledge that with intermediaries, such as implementation consultants, involved in software selling, and the packaged software industry more generally, there are even more “hands” involved. Therefore, we contend that this is an area worthy of further study, which is likely to yield more on the question of accountability.

16 citations


Cites background from "Software Engineering: A New Profess..."

  • ...This means that it is very hard to see how IS professionals could be subject to effective regulation and this is a perennial problem in the world of computer ethics (Gotterbarn 1997, Johnson 2001)....

    [...]

  • ...However, the development of professional ethical codes is as much related to the IS community’s attempts at becoming a distinct, recognisable profession, as it is to do with regulating the activities of its members (Gotterbarn 1997)....

    [...]

  • ...Similarly, within computer ethics, although there is much interest in professionalism and professional codes (Gotterbarn 1997), and some concern with accountability and responsibility, the spotlight tends to play on safety-critical or life-critical systems (Nissenbaum 1995), rather than on software…...

    [...]

  • ...Moreover, we acknowledge that with intermediaries, such as implementation consultants, involved in software selling, and the packaged software industry more generally, there are even more “hands” involved....

    [...]

  • ...From the IS literature there is little discussion on selling software products in general and especially from the ethical point of view....

    [...]

Trending Questions (3)
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These codes indicate an awareness that a different sense of professionalism is required for Software Engineering to be a profession.

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I argue that the traditional concept of professionalism is not appropriate for Software Engineering.

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There is a newer, more appropriate meaning of profession which is currently achievable by software engineers and will move Software Engineering in a positive direction.