The Ethical Dilemma of Research and Development Openness Versus Secrecy

Steve McMillan, Ronald Duska, Robert Hamilton, Debra Casey

Journal of Business Ethics · 2006 · Volume 65 · Issue 3

Abstract

In previous research, we have argued that private companies should be more open with their scientific research findings. However, our research assumed, somewhat naively perhaps, that public institutions were quite open. Recent findings have suggested otherwise, and in this paper we explore the dilemma faced by industry, universities, and society in attempting to balance the needs of openness (to rapidly advance the body of knowledge), with secrecy (to protect the economic returns to a new innovation).

Keywords

Openness, secrecy, science, ethics

Enable JavaScript for citation tools and additional paper interactions.