Exploring the Role of Digital Tools in Ethical Managerial Decision-Making
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51903/jmi.v4i3.306Keywords:
Ethical Decision-Making, Digital Tools, Managerial Ethics, Decision Support Systems, Socio-Technical PerspectiveAbstract
The rapid integration of digital technologies into managerial work reorganized ethical decision-making in organizations. Technology holds the promise of efficiency and transparency but leaves the impact of technology on moral thought and managerial accountability unclear. This research strives to analyze how digital technologies inform, enable, or complicate ethical managerial decision-making. Utilizing a qualitative exploratory research methodology, the research weaves evidence from an in-depth literature review and semi-structured interviews on Ethical Decision-Making Theory and Socio-Technical Systems Theory. Thematic coding suggests that online resources can enhance ethical consistency and moral awareness if used reflectively but reduce moral sensitivity based on reliance on algorithmic rationality. The findings suggest dynamic interplay between human judgment and computer mediation and underscore the merits of socio-technical integration under balance. A conceptual model for co-evolution modeling of digital intelligence and moral cognition in managerial contexts is proposed. Ethical decision-making in the digital era, this study argues, is less a question of algorithmic transparency and more a question of applying responsible human judgment in technologically mediated environments. The research makes a theoretical contribution by merging ethical thinking with socio-technical models of management and provides organisational practical advice on how to integrate moral thinking within digital environments of decision-making.
References
Adriaensen, A., Costantino, F., Di Gravio, G., & Patriarca, R. (2022). Teaming with industrial cobots: A socio-technical perspective on safety analysis. In Human Factors and Ergonomics In Manufacturing (Vol. 32, Issue 2, pp. 173–198). John Wiley and Sons Inc. https://doi.org/10.1002/hfm.20939
Alavi, B., Tavana, M., & Mina, H. (2021). A Dynamic Decision Support System for Sustainable Supplier Selection in Circular Economy. Sustainable Production and Consumption, 27, 905–920. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.spc.2021.02.015
Alshadoodee, H. A. A., Mansoor, M. S. G., Kuba, H. K., & Gheni, H. M. (2022). The role of artificial intelligence in enhancing administrative decision support systems by depend on knowledge management. Bulletin of Electrical Engineering and Informatics, 11(6), 3577–3589. https://doi.org/10.11591/eei.v11i6.4243
Antoniadi, A. M., Du, Y., Guendouz, Y., Wei, L., Mazo, C., Becker, B. A., & Mooney, C. (2021). Current challenges and future opportunities for xai in machine learning-based clinical decision support systems: A systematic review. Applied Sciences (Switzerland), 11(11). https://doi.org/10.3390/app11115088
Arar, K., & Saiti, A. (2022). Ethical leadership, ethical dilemmas and decision making among school administrators. Equity in Education & Society, 1(1), 126–141. https://doi.org/10.1177/27526461211070828
Belgasem-Hussain, A. A., & Hussaien, Y. I. (2023). Earnings management as an ethical issue in view of Kohlberg’s theory of moral reasoning. In Journal of Financial Crime (Vol. 30, Issue 2, pp. 522–535). Emerald Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1108/JFC-11-2019-0138
Braun, M., Hummel, P., Beck, S., & Dabrock, P. (2021). Primer on an ethics of AI-based decision support systems in the clinic. Journal of Medical Ethics, 47(12), E3. https://doi.org/10.1136/medethics-2019-105860
Brendel, A. B., Mirbabaie, M., Lembcke, T. B., & Hofeditz, L. (2021). Ethical management of artificial intelligence. In Sustainability (Switzerland) (Vol. 13, Issue 4, pp. 1–18). MDPI. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13041974
Cabana, G. C., & Kaptein, M. (2021). Team Ethical Cultures Within an Organization: A Differentiation Perspective on Their Existence and Relevance. Journal of Business Ethics, 170(4), 761–780. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-019-04376-5
Carroll, A. B. (2021). Corporate social responsibility (CSR) and the COVID-19 pandemic: organizational and managerial implications. Journal of Strategy and Management, 14(3), 315–330. https://doi.org/10.1108/JSMA-07-2021-0145
Chae, N., Gosling, D. R., Goshorn, J. R., & Fan, S. (2021). A Dilemma Within Doctoral Supervision: Applying an Ethical Decision-Making Model. Counseling and Values, 66(2), 117–130. https://doi.org/10.1002/cvj.12152
Dancsa, D., Štempeľová, I., Takáč, O., & Annuš, N. (2023). Digital tools in education. International Journal of Advanced Natural Sciences and Engineering Researches, 7(4), 289–294. https://doi.org/10.59287/ijanser.717
Dong, X., Liu, X., & Xiao, X. (2023). Understanding the influencing mechanism of users’ participation in live streaming shopping: A socio-technical perspective. Frontiers in Psychology, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1082981
Farayola, O., & Amoo, O. O. (2024). Reviewing The Ethical Implications Of Ai In Decision Making Processes. https://doi.org/10.51594/ijmer.v6i
Farrow, R. (2023). The possibilities and limits of XAI in education: a socio-technical perspective. Learning, Media and Technology, 48(2), 266–279. https://doi.org/10.1080/17439884.2023.2185630
Ford, E., Edelman, N., Somers, L., Shrewsbury, D., Lopez Levy, M., van Marwijk, H., Curcin, V., & Porat, T. (2021). Barriers and facilitators to the adoption of electronic clinical decision support systems: a qualitative interview study with UK general practitioners. BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making, 21(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12911-021-01557-z
Frisinger, A., & Papachristou, P. (2023). The voice of healthcare: introducing digital decision support systems into clinical practice - a qualitative study. BMC Primary Care, 24(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12875-023-02024-6
Gherardi, S., & Laasch, O. (2022). Responsible Management-as-Practice: Mobilizing a Posthumanist Approach. Journal of Business Ethics, 181(2), 269–281. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-021-04945-7
Handoko, M., Yulianto, A. R., Jatinurcahyo, R., Subariyanti, H., Nikmah, W., Adawia, P. R., Yulianto, & Armaniah, H. (2025). Implementation of MIS (Management InformationSystem) to Improve Efficiency and Security of Interbank transactions Using BCA Mobile (Case Study at Bank BCA Tbk). Journal of Management and Informatics, 4(2), 791–806. https://doi.org/10.51903/jmi.v4i2.201
Hassan, S. M., Rahman, Z., & Paul, J. (2022). Consumer ethics: A review and research agenda. In Psychology and Marketing (Vol. 39, Issue 1, pp. 111–130). John Wiley and Sons Inc. https://doi.org/10.1002/mar.21580
Kirkegaard, J. K., Rudolph, D. P., Nyborg, S., Solman, H., Gill, E., Cronin, T., & Hallisey, M. (2023). Tackling grand challenges in wind energy through a socio-technical perspective. In Nature Energy (Vol. 8, Issue 7, pp. 655–664). Nature Research. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41560-023-01266-z
Koay, K. Y., & Lim, P. K. (2022). Ethical leadership and knowledge hiding: testing the mediating and moderating mechanisms. Journal of Knowledge Management, 26(3), 574–591. https://doi.org/10.1108/JKM-02-2021-0091
Langegård, U., Kiani, K., Nielsen, S. J., & Svensson, P. A. (2021). Nursing students’ experiences of a pedagogical transition from campus learning to distance learning using digital tools. BMC Nursing, 20(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-021-00542-1
Lehner, O. M., Ittonen, K., Silvola, H., Ström, E., & Wührleitner, A. (2022). Artificial intelligence based decision-making in accounting and auditing: ethical challenges and normative thinking. Accounting, Auditing and Accountability Journal, 35(9), 109–135. https://doi.org/10.1108/AAAJ-09-2020-4934
Marion, T. J., & Fixson, S. K. (2021). The Transformation of the Innovation Process: How Digital Tools are Changing Work, Collaboration, and Organizations in New Product Development*. Journal of Product Innovation Management, 38(1), 192–215. https://doi.org/10.1111/jpim.12547
Martínez, C., Skeet, A. G., & Sasia, P. M. (2021). Managing organizational ethics: How ethics becomes pervasive within organizations. Business Horizons, 64(1), 83–92. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bushor.2020.09.008
Mökander, J., Morley, J., Taddeo, M., & Floridi, L. (2021). Ethics-Based Auditing of Automated Decision-Making Systems: Nature, Scope, and Limitations. Science and Engineering Ethics, 27(4). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11948-021-00319-4
Mor, B. (2025). Reimagining Physics Education for the 21st Century: A Socio Technical Perspective on Curriculum Reform and Industrial Relevance. Schrödinger: Journal of Physics Education, 6(3), 152–160. https://doi.org/10.37251/sjpe.v6i3.2013
Neill, M. S., & Bowen, S. A. (2021). Ethical listening to employees during a pandemic: new approaches, barriers and lessons. Journal of Communication Management, 25(3), 276–297. https://doi.org/10.1108/JCOM-09-2020-0103
Perozzo, H., Zaghloul, F., & Ravarini, A. (2022). CyberSecurity Readiness: A Model for SMEs based on the Socio-Technical Perspective. Complex Systems Informatics and Modeling Quarterly, 2022(33), 53–66. https://doi.org/10.7250/csimq.2022-33.04
Putri, N., & Ainindhira, A. (2025). Beyond Descriptive Analytics: Predictive Models For Strategic Marketing Decisions. Journal of Management and Informatics, 4(2), 872–889. https://doi.org/10.51903/jmi.v4i2.165
Rachmad, Y. E. (2022). Ethical Considerations in Management 5.0: Balancing Technological Advancements with Human Values Globally. https://doi.org/10.17605/osf.io/3gkwr
Roszkowska, P., & Melé, D. (2021). Organizational Factors in the Individual Ethical Behaviour. The Notion of the “Organizational Moral Structure.” Humanistic Management Journal, 6(2), 187–209. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41463-020-00080-z
Stenmark, C. K., & Redfearn, R. (2022). The role of sensory processing sensitivity and analytic mind-set in ethical decision-making. Ethics and Behavior, 32(4), 344–358. https://doi.org/10.1080/10508422.2021.1906247
Tiron-Tudor, A., Rodgers, W., & Deliu, D. (2025). The accounting profession in the Twilight Zone: navigating digitalisation’s sided challenges through ethical pathways for decision-making. Accounting, Auditing and Accountability Journal, 38(3), 990–1018. https://doi.org/10.1108/AAAJ-12-2022-6173
Vasey, B., Nagendran, M., Campbell, B., Clifton, D. A., Collins, G. S., Denaxas, S., Denniston, A. K., Faes, L., Geerts, B., Ibrahim, M., Liu, X., Mateen, B. A., Mathur, P., Mccradden, M. D., Morgan, L., Ordish, J., Rogers, C., Saria, S., Ting, D. S. W., … Mcculloch, P. (2022). Reporting guideline for the early stage clinical evaluation of decision support systems driven by artificial intelligence: DECIDE-AI. The BMJ. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj-2022-070904
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Miguel Álvarez, Leila Hassan

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

