An important topic in the study of Information Systems is that of Strategic Information
Systems. In numerous instances, the strategic use of Information Systems has led to a
significant competitive advantage. The Competitive Forces Model and the strategies to
confront them are commonly discussed as a means to identify strategies that can lead to
competitive advantage.
One of the proposed strategies is that in which an organization “locks in” their suppliers
or buyers, such that, the organization is in a better position to negotiate with them. A
potential concern with this sort of approach is that an organization may abuse of this kind
of advantage.
The following exercise in ethics attempts to question the practice of some
organizations that initially provide a product or service for free (or at a very low cost) as
a way to attract customers. Once customers are “locked-in” to their product or service
they reveal or initiate some type of fee.