Digital communication refers to human-to-human, human-to-machine or machine-to-machine communication. This dissertation focuses on human-to-human communication in professional relationships based on hardware innovations like tablets, smartphones, or wearables as well as internet-based services like email, instant messaging or social media. Intended consequences of using social communication technologies are often increased freedom of action or faster communication. However, digital communication does also lead to unintended consequences like new social controls, less freedom of action or a lack of time. The aim of the dissertation is to explore explanation attempts why these consequences occur as well as to elucidate how organizations could deal with it. The key message of the dissertation is that using digital communication technologies requires well-trained moral discernment to better understand unintended consequences as well as to better cope with them.

In times of digitalization and globalization, social expectations change at an increasing pace. In order to provide orientation in times of frequent change, this article argues to reinforce the meaning of moral principles, norms, or values as focal points, which build the basis of mutually aligned behavioral expectations. Accordingly, the paper explains the abstract meaning of focal points – having reciprocal expectations as foundation for social cooperation – as well as the particular relevance of the focal point ‘do no harm’.

Im Zuge der Digitalisierung bewegen sich Beschäftigte immer mehr im Dunstkreis ihrer Organisation. Digitale, tragbare Geräte verbinden sie ständig mit dem Job. Dieser Beitrag beschreibt aus Sicht der Unternehmensethik die Auswirkung dieser Entgrenzung auf die moralische Urteilskraft: Sind wir in Organisationen hyperinkludiert, sind die persönliche Autonomie und Reflexionsfähigkeit in Gefahr.