Ten months ago, Joe began his new position as information technology director at Innovative Electronic Publishing {IEP}. Although still "learningthe ropes," Joe feels qualified for his position. Justone year ago, Joe completed a bachelor's degree inEnd-User Information Systems at a local university While earning his degree, he worked as a supervisorof information systems for a large local insurance company. Joe's major responsibilities at IEP are to maintain the corporate information system and to provide information support for administrative personnel.

Joe has enjoyed the excitement of being involved in the formative stages of a promising new business. The owners have been building IEP successfully on apart-time basis during the last five years. One year ago, Jody and Rebecca, the owners, quit full-timepositions at other organizations to focus their energy on IEP. IEP has a current clientele of 900. Jody andRebecca are hard working, committed to the success of IEP, and have hired competent support personnel and an aggressive management and sales team.

Jody, who handles the business details of thebusiness, has worked closely with Joe in defininghis job responsibilities. His first major responsibilitywas to oversee successful implementation of a localarea network to support the administrative needs of the administrative work force. With a support staff of one technical trainer and one technician, Joe wasresponsible for designing and providing ongoing training and support for the staff of twenty-fivepersonnel employed in the IEP offices. Joe takespride in the state-of-the-art information systemsinstalled an IEP. Formal feedback indicates a highlevel of satisfaction with information systems services. In addition to providing an array of administrative support tools, IEP uses a world-wideelectronic mail system for corporatecommunications, with web server maintained at IEP.?

"Joe, I need you help. But, first of all, I want you to understand that this conversation is to be held in the strictest confidence."

"Of course. What can I do for you, Jody?"

No one at IEP understands technology better that you, Joe. First, I have a technical question for you." "I'll do my best to help you, Jody."

"Can you access all of IEP's electronic mail files?"

"Yes I can...however, other than routine maintenance, I do not access the E-mailfiles." "Is it possible to access E-mail files that have been deleted...''

"Yes...but, it depends on how old the files are, when theywere deleted..."

"Joe, I don't need to know the criteria for accessing deleted files, I just need you to access some of IEP'S E-mail files for me."

"Jody, are these files in your E-mail account that wereaccidentally deleted?"

"No ...they are someone else's files. Joe, I would likea complete printout of all of Larry Mitchell's E-mail files...later, I may request files of other keypersonnel. I'll let you know."

"I see...l'm a little puzzled by your request. Does Larryknow you are accessing his files?''

"No... and Joe, I don't want him to know. This is confidential--do you understand? You do not need to know the reason for my request, but l understandyour curiosity. Suffice it to say that I need to review his files for the strategic future of IEP. I want you toprepare a printout for me by 8 a.m. tomorrow morning, which includes all Larry's incoming and outgoing mail since he was hired. I want you to handle this task personally--do not tell anyone, including Rebecca, about this request. Complete the task discreetly...when the files are ready, call me, and I will come down personally to pick up the printout."

"Jody, have you checked with legal counsel...?"

"Joe, I have thought about the legalities of thisrequest. The way I view this situation, the E-mail filesare corporate files. As a senior partner, I can accessall company information. I have sound reasons to not involve our legal counsel at this time. I also do nowant you to consult Rebecca. Don't worry, Joe...l will stand behind you on this. Oh...one other thing...takeprecautions that none of Larry's files are purged untilI personally give you the go ahead to do so."

With that directive, Jody walked out of Joe's office.Larry Mitchell, a brilliant and ambitious young man, isRebecca's key managerial assistant. Joe recalled discussions of copyright law and ethical issues discussed in the information systems courses he hadrecently taken at a local college. Now, he was confronted with dealing with the reality of these issues. He figured the task Jody assigned to him would take about two hours. lt is now 3:30 p.m.

1. Who are the key actors?2. What are the major issues in the case?3. What are Joe's options?4. If you were Joe, how would you respond to Jody'srequest?5. Is Jody's request legal? Explain your answer.6. Is Jody's request ethical? Explain your answer.7. What are the potential implications for Joe if he complies with Jody's request? If you were Joe, What steps would you take to protect yourself from potential negativeconsequences?8. Why do you think Jody does not want Rebecca toknow about her request?

E-Mail PRACTICE CASE THE CASE OF THE CURIOUS PARTNER by Donna L. McAlister-Kizzier, Morehead State University, Morehead, Kentucky Ten months ago, Joe began his new position as information technology director at Innovative Electronic Publishing {IEP}. Although still "learning the ropes," Joe feels qualified for his position. Just one year ago, Joe completed a bachelor's degree in End-User Information Systems at a local university While earning his degree, he worked as a supervisor of information systems for a large local insurance company. Joe's major responsibilities at IEP are to maintain the corporate information system and to provide information support for administrative personnel. Joe has enjoyed the excitement of being involved in the formative stages of a promising new business. The owners have been building IEP successfully on a part-time basis during the last five years. One year ago, Jody and Rebecca, the owners, quit full-time positions at other organizations to focus their energy on IEP. IEP has a current clientele of 900. Jody and Rebecca are hard working, committed to the success of IEP, and have hired competent support personnel and an aggressive management and sales team. Jody, who handles the business details of the business, has worked closely with Joe in defining his job responsibilities. His first major responsibility was to oversee successful implementation of a local area network to support the administrative needs of the administrative work force. With a support staff of one technical trainer and one technician, Joe was responsible for designing and providing ongoing training and support for the staff of twenty-five personnel employed in the IEP offices. Joe takes pride in the state-of-the-art information systems installed an IEP. Formal feedback indicates a high level of satisfaction with information systems services. In addition to providing an array of administrative support tools, IEP uses a world-wide electronic mail system for corporate communications, with web server maintained at IEP. 'Joe, I need you help. But, first of all, I want you to understand that this conversation is to be held in the strictest confidence." 'Of course. What can I do for you, Jody?" No one at IEP understands technology better that you, Joe. First, I have a technical question for you." "I'll do my best to help you, Jody." "Can you access all of IEP's electronic mail files?" "Yes I can...however, other than routine maintenance, I do not access the E-mail files." "Is it possible to access E-mail files that have been deleted..."Name Case # 1. State the problem concisely 2. Point out key issues; how did they influence the problem(s) 3. Determine management's and/ or the company's objectives in this case 4. Analyze the facts of the case as they contributed to the problem 5. Consider and write the advantages and disadvantages of each alternative 6. Choose a solution, based on the evidence outlined in #5, and explain why you chose it