VICES AND VIRTUES – A CASE OF TECHNOLOGY IN SPORT

摘要

This case examines the use of technology in sport. In particular, it explores how the use of technology ostensibly to help match officials make better decisions and to ensure fair outcomes for players and teams, can induce gaming behaviour that perversely runs counter to fairness and to the spirit of the sport. The context for the case is a high profile match involving leading cricket nations playing in a century-old series of international test matches competing for a traditional trophy known as the Ashes. The incident detailed in the case relates to a batsman who edges a ball, not seen by the umpire, and is caught 'out' by an opposing fielder. The umpire, for procedural reasons, is unable to make use of available Hawkeye digital tracking and Hotspot heat sensing contact technology to review his decision. The batsman and umpire refuse to bow to appeals by opposing players and play continues. The incident was seen by spectators at the match, captured by photographers and TV cameras, and seen later by countless TV and YouTube viewers. The case can be used to explore issues related to the ethical behaviour of individual athletes, teams and sports organisations, the impact on stakeholders, and the role of coaches, managers and governing bodies in addressing such behaviour and managing such issues. The case also provides opportunity to discuss the impact and relevance of context when assessing the behaviour of professionals and executives in other industry sectors who gain advantage when purposely or knowingly breach of a code of conduct, and who fail to convey that breach to an auditor, supervisor etc.