Ethical Issues of Computer Usage in

Workplace from Islamic View - Time

Management
Anida Salleh, Azura Awang, Norhayati Mohd Amin, Nurul Ema
Sarbini
1.0

ABSTRACT
Review and identify the concept of ethics in the use of computers in

terms of the perspective of Islam. Among the issues related to the abuse
of time, intellectual property, computer crime and privacy. There are
ethics in ICT described from the point of view of the Quran and Hadith but
have different aspects. In addition, it looks at how to become aware,
sensitivity and promote their work to the worker Muslims as a challenge.
Some have occurred in recent years in which the occurrence of scandal
and wrongdoing use ICT to other work. Attention to the work ethic of Islam
as well as identifying the work ethic of Islam in terms of demographic
variables and differences in characteristics are also taken care of.
Relations between the Islamic work ethic innovation capabilities and
performance of firms are also seen. Some study visits to see the
difference the IWE of respondents and firms. At the end of the study, some
of recommendations and measures to assist compelling the proper use of
computers in a computer at work by the muslin without prejudice to the
principles of Islam.
Keywords: - work ethics of Islam, the point of view of Islam, Privacy, and
Security

2.0

INTRODUCTION

With the development and growth of advanced and high-tech computer

and communications, industries resulted in life-changing ways. Growth
and the increasing number of Muslim communities using ICT sector are
also growing. Among the potential computer in a crime and contributor,
1

abuse has become a traditional criminal phenomenon in a number of

activities theft, forgery, and fraud. Consciously or not it has involved the
behaviour of unethical and illegal employment (Kadar, M., 2013).
Ethics is very important because it symbolizes human behaviour in
society that involves our morals. Computer ethics is a field that involves
complicated and dynamic the facts, concepts, and values associated with
a high-tech computer. It focuses on human-influenced enumerated by use
of computer technology such as email sending, processing information
and purchase software that is ethical behaviour problems.
In Islamic ethical values are emphasized in human life. He stressed
adherence to the code of ethics and moral behaviour of every aspect. In
the Al-Quran has repeatedly affirmed the moral and ethical principles.
Allah said: "You are the best of which have had been raised up for
mankind; you enjoin what is right, who forbid the wrong and believe in
Allah "(Qur 'and, 3: 110). The teachings of the Prophet (SAW) that includes
moral and ethical values and principles are also often emphasized. The
Prophet (SAW) said: "I was sent to perfect good character" (Sunnan Al
Bayhagee: 21301) that describes perfectly the moral improvement of
individuals and society (Dr. Khaled Al-Jeraisy, 2009).
3.0

OBJECTIVES OF STUDY

The main objective in the development of this research is to study and

identify issues of computer abuse to the work ethic of Islam. In addition,
this study also provides suggestions and steps to overcome this problem.
1.
To review the underlying concepts of ethics and Islamic ethics for
computer usage.
2.
To find out ethical issues of misusing the working time and its
explanation in view of
Quran and Hadith.
3. To propose some suggestions or measure to manage this ethical
issue in Islamic way

4.0

SCOPE OF STUDY

The approach taken in this study is practical in the field of ICT

professionals and human (Islamic workers). The main study in Islamic
work ethics are: 1. Misuse of time by using computer
2. Respondents are randomly selected
3. Respondents are Muslim employees age from 18-65 years old and
using computer at
work
5.0

SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY
This study was to investigate the organizational culture and

commitment among employees in terms of computer usage blaming

Islamic ethics. Through this study hopes to raise awareness and to
encourage honesty must mainly to Islam itself. Positive practices in
organizational culture can improve the organization's performance and
Productivity. Unless these problems are addressed promptly it could be a
model for western countries because we are guided by the Qur'an and
Sunnah, which is the main reference in religious ethics (Ahmad Asadullah,
Bello Yerima, Yusuf Aliyu, 2014). Nevertheless, this study findings will also
help organizations to manage and minimize the problem and the
employees will not misuse their working time.

6.0

LITERATURE REVIEW
This chapter covers the background knowledge that has contributed

to the present study. Problem associated with acquired ethical issues of

computer usage which focus on time management among Muslim worker
in workplace from Islamic perspective are highlighted.
Computer Ethic
Computer ethics is a guideline that can determine the correct
responsive according to situation where it was formulate to guide actions.
Moor (1985) defines computer ethics as a formulation and justification of
policies for the ethical use of technology. According to Gotterbarn (1990)
3

computer ethics is a standard of good practices and codes of conduct for

computing professionals where it should be viewed as a branch of
professional ethics.
Time Management In Islam
Time management has been described as the use of time properly,
effective and from Islamic perspective, it must follow the Syariah. Time
management is also a process which is the employee can deliver the task
with efficient and effective and meet the goal. In Surah Al Asr Allah (swt)
says Man is in great loss except those who believe and do good deeds
and who enjoin Truth and Sabr (patience, constancy & steadfastness)
Hadith Ibn Abbas narrates that the Prophet (saw) said, There are two
blessings which many people lose: (They are) health and free time for
doing good - Bukhari From the Quran, the Sunnah of Prophet (saw) and
the practice of the Sahabah learn how to prioritize, plan, organize and
allocation of time in the best possible way.
Time management can be derived from how to manage the time
properly. From that, need to list down target for certain year in
organization such as identify goals, prioritize task , make time table, focus
on work and also set what are going to be achieved. Find out the ways of
doing things correctly. Prayer is the best training, physical & mental to be
punctual, focused, single minded, self-disciplined & goal oriented, so pray
the right way, with the right movements, humility and concentration.
Islamic Work Ethic
Islamic Work Ethics can be defined as a set moral is from what is
wrong from the right and it will be based on the Quran. The Islamic work
ethic can be categorized as hardworking, committed, dedicated to work
and avoid from unethical manners in work place. According to Rizk (2008),
Islamic Work Ethics is an orientation towards work and approaches work
as a virtual human's live. The main point to have Islamic work ethics is to
ensure the outcome of job satisfaction, commitment to the task given for
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the employee and to follow the rules procedure provided by the

organization.
Ethical Issues of Computer Usage
Regarding the ethical behaviour that conduct misuse of computer
usage, Leonard and Cronan (2005) examined the factors that could
influence an individuals attitude toward ethical behaviour. They found
many factors influence attitude toward ethical decisions such as
environmental

factors,

moral

responsibility,

and

awareness

of

consequences, where it rely on the type of ethical issue involved.

Moreover, this relationship show that attitude influencers have shifted
over time, which means organizations must occasionally re-evaluate their
employees ethical and change their ethics programs as attitude
influencers change. Thus, the organization should create awareness
among employee to ensure they follow and practice the ethical behaviour.
While, based upon research conduct by Khanifar (2012) found the most
common organizational unethical and destructive behaviours are seen in
Information technology and computer field when there are no precise
ethical policies in organization which exposed employee to unethical
behaviours.
Ethics has not only a social but also organizational aspect that
promotes the organization towards ethics compliance and mitigates
abnormal behaviours to the minimum level. Therefore, Kadar (2013) who
studied on the ethical issues of computer usage believe as a Muslim
should obey work ethics and avoid from doing any unethical behaviour
especially during working hour when use company property such as
computer. Some organizations policies on the ethical use of technologies
are too loose or not clear enough led employee to act unethical while
working.
effects,

Even though the creations of technology have good and bad

it

may

expose

too

many

illegal

and

immoral

activities.

Consequently, it is important to develop Islamic perspective to computer

ethics in organizational because the implementation of Islamic rules able
5

to reduce computer abuse or misconduct. Meanwhile Khalil and Abu-Saad

(2009) whom conduct a study on identifying the relationship between
Islamic work ethic and individualism found the significant correlation
between both Islamic work ethic and individualism, where it led them to
believe religious might affect individual behaviour especially in working
area. In addition Kumar and Rose (2010) also found significant correlation
that influence Islamic work ethic towards innovation capabilities.
Sehhat, Mahmoudzadeh, Ashena, & Parsa (2015), investigate the
impact of the Islamic work ethics where they look in every aspect of
human being characters, especially in employees anticipation, positivity,
flexibility and efficiency as the dimensions of Positive Psychological
Capital. From the analysis it shows that the significance of implementing
Islamic Work Ethics in organizational will give positive effect among
employee where they able to change their attitude, to overcome the
crises of uselessness, low confidence level, low quality of quickly
recovering from sadness or failure, and doubtful. The authors also provide
recommendations

for

manager

in

Islamic

public

organizations

in

formulating their human resource policies and strategies, especially the

importance of developing ethics in the organization. Furthermore, in order
to improve employees feelings, encouraged, flexibility, self-confidence
and optimism; managers need to support the Islamic work ethic in their
organizations.

Ethical Issues Mitigation

To overcome the issue from the behaviour of the employee, Human
resources department is must be take part and play a role on effective
and efficient people by to choose the capability and the right people to
work on the organization. There is a long probation period for the new
hire and staff will be punished or extend their probation period. The
organization should implement the policy which is included the type of
computer restrictions which are reasonable for staff day-to-day use in
term for work related activities.
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The company also need to provide management training to their

staff which is to ensure that employee will be able to use proper
techniques to prioritize activities/tasks, will gain skills and knowledge to
plan and track tasks, will understand effects of procrastination and will be
able to identify ways to avoid it, will be able to Identify time wasters and
use skills to eliminate them, will understand how their attitude towards
time management affects their performance.
The company also need to implement data protection and data security
and any to access the database must be get approval from the higher
level of the organization or get approval from security team. The company
must be give motivation rewards to employee to make employee
interested working and use their time properly.

7.0

METHODOLOGY OF STUDY

The main objective of this research is to study and identify what the
ethical issues are relating to computer misuse at workplace and how they
effect on the time management of the employee. Therefore, in order to
assess and analyse the situation in workplace we have randomly selected
50 respondents. These respondents are all Muslims age between 18 to 65
years old and they are also using computer at work. We have chosen to
use online questionnaire as our study instrument. The questionnaire which
consists of three (3) sections namely Part A: Demographic, Part B:
Computer Usage and Part C: Computer Usage Policy at Workplace. There
are 24 questions in this questionnaire.

Various type of questions have

been used in this questionnaire such as 5 SD scale, multiple choice and

yes-no questions.
The questionnaire was published on 23rd November 2015 and met the
total target of respondent on the day itself.

Prior to the published date,

we have conducted pilot study to verify on the questionnaire. Total of five

(5)

respondents

involved

in

this

pilot

study.

The

result

of

the

questionnaires was then analyse manually by using excel spreadsheet.

7

8.0

REFERENCES
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Dr.

Khaled

Al-Jeraisy,

https://islamfuture.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/timemanagement-from-islamic-and-administrative-perspective.pdf
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Kahramanmara St mam niversity,Kahramanmara,Turkey,
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work

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