The effect of an information ethics course on the information ethics values of students – A Chinese guanxi culture perspective

The development of information technology has a significant influence on social structure and norms, and also impacts upon human behavior. In order to achieve stability and social harmony, people need to respect various norms, and have their rights protected. Students’ information ethics values are of critical and radical importance in achieving this goal. Using qualitative approach, the present study utilizes Kohlberg’s CMD model to measure improvement in students’ “information ethics values” through “technology mediated learning (TML)” models, and to assess the extent to which it is influenced by gender and Chinese guanxi culture. We find that while e-learning improves female students’ “respect rules,” “privacy,” “accessibility” and “intellectual property” values more than male students, the percentages relating to “intellectual property” for females in the higher stages remain lower than for males. Moreover, these results are interpreted from a Chinese guanxi culture perspective. In light of these results, educators should take account of such improvements when designing effective teaching methods and incentives.

► Utilizes Kohlberg’s CMD model to measure improvement in students’ IE values through TML models. ► The present study finds: e-learning improves female students’ some values more than males. ► However, the “intellectual property” for females in the higher stages remain lower than for males. ► These results are interpreted from a Chinese guanxi culture perspective. ► Educators should take account of the results to design effective teaching methods and incentives.