Ethical design through grounding and evaluation: The EDGE method for designing information systems for social impact

Authors

Amber G Young, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA
Syed Shuva, University of North Carolina, Greensboro, NC, USA
Tamara Roth, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA
Yaping Zhu, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, TN, USA
Alan R Hevner, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA

Document Type

Other

Abstract

The development of effective socio-technical information systems requires designers to balance ethical goals with functional capabilities and business objectives. To address this challenge, we propose EDGE, a novel ethical design method that focuses on two key activities in the systems development process—ethical grounding and evaluation of ethical impacts. We provide an empirical example of the EDGE method by applying it to the redesign of a sustainable application in the energy industry. This empirical example reveals the need for ethical clarity to ground and evaluate the app to achieve improved ethical performance and social impacts. We conclude with the implications of the new ethical design method and future research directions for its application and enhancement.

DOI

10.1177/02683962241289598

Recommended Citation

Young, Amber G; Shuva, Syed; Roth, Tamara; Zhu, Yaping; and Hevner, Alan R (2025) "Ethical design through grounding and evaluation: The EDGE method for designing information systems for social impact," Journal of Information Technology: Vol. 40: Iss. 2, Article 4.
DOI: 10.1177/02683962241289598
Available at: https://aisel.aisnet.org/jit/vol40/iss2/4