Abstract
In this publication, we identify and categorise ethical issues in the field of information systems (IS) by conducting a systematic literature review. We analysed 233 articles on ethical issues by using thematic analysis and the theory of practice (Bourdieu, 1977, 1984, 1990). A total of 20 categories of ethical issues were identified. Our subsequent analysis revealed that the importance of ethics in information systems is increasing, yet it is far from being an established process. We found that while power dynamics form an important aspect of ethical issues, there is also the ‘problem of many hands’ occurring (Fischer et al., 2005), meaning a diffusion of responsibility. This work contributes to the academic foundation of ethics in information systems. Our analysis can serve as a practical guide for identifying and evaluating ethical issues in developing and using information systems.
Recommended Citation
Kern, Christopher; Bäcker, Maren; Noeltner, Markus; and Kroenung, Julia, "“There are also Ethical Issues to Consider” – Ethical Issues in the Field of Information Systems" (2026). SJIS Preprints (Forthcoming). 29.
https://aisel.aisnet.org/sjis_preprints/29