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Fundamentals

Thirty percent of small businesses fail within their first two years, a stark reminder that survival demands more than just a good idea. Ethical automation, often perceived as a concern only for sprawling corporations, actually hits Main Street businesses with disproportionate force if mishandled. For a small or medium-sized business (SMB), the implementation of automation isn’t merely about boosting efficiency; it’s a high-stakes gamble with reputation, employee morale, and hanging in the balance. Measuring the ethical dimensions of this automation, therefore, becomes less of a corporate social responsibility exercise and more of a survival tactic in a competitive landscape.

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Defining Ethical Automation for Small Businesses

Ethical automation, in the SMB context, moves beyond abstract philosophical debates. It’s about applying automated technologies ● from simple scheduling software to AI-driven bots ● in a manner that respects human dignity, promotes fairness, and operates transparently within the confines of a smaller, often more personal, business ecosystem. This isn’t some lofty ideal detached from daily operations; it’s the practical application of good business sense infused with a moral compass. For SMBs, is about building systems that augment human capabilities rather than replace them thoughtlessly, fostering an environment where technology serves both the business and its stakeholders equitably.

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Why Ethical Measurement Matters to SMB Growth

Ignoring the ethical measurement of automation in an SMB is akin to navigating without a map in unfamiliar territory. Consider the immediate, tangible impacts ● poorly implemented automation can alienate customers through impersonal interactions, demoralize employees feeling replaced by machines, and even lead to legal complications if or labor laws are inadvertently violated. These aren’t hypothetical risks; they are real-world pitfalls that can quickly erode the already thin margins of many SMBs. Conversely, proactively measuring and ensuring ethical automation builds trust ● a currency far more valuable than fleeting efficiency gains.

Customers are increasingly discerning, favoring businesses that demonstrate values aligning with their own. Employees, especially in tight-knit SMB teams, value fairness and transparency. Ethical automation, measured and managed, becomes a competitive advantage, attracting and retaining both customers and talent.

Ethical isn’t a cost center for SMBs; it’s an investment in long-term resilience and sustainable growth.

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Practical Metrics for SMB Ethical Automation

For an SMB owner, the idea of “measuring ethics” might sound abstract, disconnected from spreadsheets and profit margins. However, ethical measurement in automation boils down to tracking tangible indicators that reflect the human impact of these technologies. These metrics are not complex algorithms or expensive software solutions; they are practical, readily accessible tools that any SMB can implement. Think of them as ethical vital signs for your automated systems, providing early warnings and actionable insights.

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Employee Impact Metrics

Automation’s effect on employees is a primary ethical consideration for SMBs. It’s not just about job displacement; it’s about job transformation and employee well-being. Measuring this impact involves both quantitative and qualitative approaches.

  • Employee Satisfaction Surveys ● Regularly gauge employee sentiment regarding automation implementation. Focus questions on perceived fairness, transparency of changes, and adequacy of training provided for new roles or processes. A simple five-question survey can yield valuable insights into morale and anxieties.
  • Skills Development Tracking ● Measure the number of employees participating in training programs designed to upskill them for roles augmented by automation. This demonstrates a commitment to employee growth rather than simple replacement. Track completion rates and feedback on training effectiveness.
  • Job Role Evolution Analysis ● Document how job roles are changing due to automation. Are roles becoming more strategic and less repetitive? Are employees being freed up for higher-value tasks? Track the shift in task allocation before and after automation implementation.
  • Absenteeism and Turnover Rates ● Monitor these metrics pre- and post-automation. Unexplained spikes in absenteeism or turnover, particularly after automation implementation, could signal underlying ethical issues or employee dissatisfaction that needs addressing.
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Customer Interaction Metrics

Customer interactions are the lifeblood of any SMB. Ethical automation in customer service means ensuring technology enhances, rather than hinders, the customer experience. Metrics here focus on accessibility, personalization, and fairness in automated customer journeys.

  1. Customer Satisfaction Scores (CSAT) ● Track CSAT scores specifically related to interactions involving automated systems like chatbots or automated email responses. Compare these scores to interactions with human agents to identify areas for improvement in automated customer service.
  2. Customer Feedback Analysis ● Actively solicit and analyze on automated systems. Look for patterns in complaints or negative comments related to impersonalization, lack of empathy, or difficulty resolving issues through automated channels.
  3. Accessibility Audits ● Ensure automated systems are accessible to all customers, including those with disabilities. Regularly audit website chatbots, automated phone systems, and digital interfaces for compliance with accessibility standards.
  4. Personalization Effectiveness ● Measure how effectively automated systems personalize customer interactions. Are automated recommendations relevant? Are automated communications tailored to individual customer needs and preferences, or do they feel generic and intrusive?
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Operational Transparency Metrics

Transparency builds trust, especially in the context of automation. SMBs need to be upfront about how automation is being used and its impact on stakeholders. Transparency metrics focus on communication, explainability, and accountability.

  • Automation Disclosure Rate ● Clearly communicate to employees and customers when they are interacting with an automated system. Measure the consistency of this disclosure across all automated touchpoints. Transparency builds trust and manages expectations.
  • Algorithm Explainability Audits ● For more complex automation systems, particularly those involving AI, conduct periodic audits to understand how decisions are being made. While full explainability might be technically challenging, strive for transparency in the logic and parameters guiding automated processes.
  • Data Privacy Compliance Rate ● Rigorous adherence to is a fundamental ethical imperative. Track compliance rates with relevant data privacy laws (like GDPR or CCPA) in all automated systems that handle customer or employee data.
  • Bias Detection Audits ● If using AI-driven automation, particularly in areas like hiring or customer service, implement bias detection audits to identify and mitigate potential biases in algorithms that could lead to unfair or discriminatory outcomes.
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Starting Simple ● The Ethical Automation Checklist for SMBs

Implementing ethical measurement doesn’t require a massive overhaul. For SMBs, starting with a simple checklist can be remarkably effective. This checklist acts as a practical guide, prompting consideration of ethical dimensions at each stage of automation implementation.

Table 1 ● Ethical Automation Checklist for SMBs

Checklist Item Employee Communication
Description Have employees been informed about automation plans and potential impacts?
Measurement Approach Track communication records, conduct employee surveys on awareness levels.
Checklist Item Training and Upskilling
Description Are resources allocated for training employees for new roles or automation-augmented tasks?
Measurement Approach Measure training participation rates, track training budget allocation.
Checklist Item Customer Transparency
Description Are customers informed when interacting with automated systems (e.g., chatbots)?
Measurement Approach Audit customer communication channels, track disclosure consistency.
Checklist Item Data Privacy Compliance
Description Are automated systems compliant with relevant data privacy regulations?
Measurement Approach Conduct data privacy audits, track compliance documentation.
Checklist Item Accessibility Considerations
Description Are automated systems accessible to users with disabilities?
Measurement Approach Perform accessibility audits, use accessibility testing tools.
Checklist Item Feedback Mechanisms
Description Are there channels for employees and customers to provide feedback on automated systems?
Measurement Approach Monitor feedback channels, track response rates to feedback.
Checklist Item Bias Mitigation (if applicable)
Description For AI-driven systems, are there processes to detect and mitigate potential biases?
Measurement Approach Implement bias detection audits, document mitigation strategies.
Checklist Item Regular Review
Description Is there a plan to regularly review and adjust automation strategies based on ethical considerations and feedback?
Measurement Approach Schedule periodic review meetings, document review outcomes and action plans.

This checklist isn’t exhaustive, but it provides a starting point. The key is to integrate ethical considerations into the automation process from the outset, making it a routine part of business operations rather than an afterthought. SMBs that proactively address these fundamental ethical dimensions position themselves for sustainable growth, building trust and resilience in an increasingly automated world.

Intermediate

Seventy-eight percent of consumers report that a business’s ethics influence their purchasing decisions, a statistic that should resonate deeply within the strategic planning of any SMB considering automation. Moving beyond basic checklists, intermediate for SMBs necessitates a more sophisticated, data-informed approach. It’s about embedding ethical considerations into the very fabric of automation strategy, not just as a reactive measure, but as a proactive driver of business value. This stage demands a shift from rudimentary metrics to Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that directly link to tangible business outcomes, demonstrating that doing good business is, in fact, good for business.

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Developing Ethical Automation KPIs for SMBs

Ethical KPIs are not abstract virtue signals; they are measurable indicators that reflect the effectiveness of and their impact on business objectives. For SMBs, these KPIs should be practical, trackable, and directly relevant to their operational context. They should move beyond simple compliance and delve into the realm of demonstrating genuine ethical commitment and its positive repercussions.

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Employee-Centric KPIs

Building upon basic employee satisfaction, intermediate KPIs delve into the qualitative and quantitative aspects of employee well-being and engagement in the context of automation.

  • Employee Empowerment Index ● Develop an index that measures employee perceptions of empowerment in automation-augmented roles. This could include factors like autonomy in decision-making, access to advanced tools, and opportunities for strategic contributions. This moves beyond simple satisfaction to gauge genuine empowerment.
  • Internal Mobility Rate Post-Automation ● Track the rate of internal promotions or role advancements for employees whose roles have been significantly impacted by automation. This KPI demonstrates a commitment to employee growth and career progression within the SMB, even amidst technological change.
  • Skills Utilization Rate ● Measure the extent to which employees’ skills are being effectively utilized in their roles after automation implementation. Are employees feeling challenged and engaged, or are their skills underutilized in increasingly automated workflows? This gauges the quality of job transformation.
  • Ethical Concern Resolution Time ● Track the average time taken to address and resolve employee concerns or grievances related to ethical aspects of automation. This KPI reflects the responsiveness and commitment of SMB leadership to ethical employee relations.
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Customer-Focused KPIs

Intermediate customer-centric KPIs move beyond basic satisfaction scores to assess the depth and quality of ethical customer engagement through automated systems.

  1. Customer Trust Score in Automated Interactions ● Develop a customer trust score specifically for automated interactions. This could be measured through surveys asking customers about their confidence in the fairness, transparency, and reliability of processes. This is a more nuanced measure than overall CSAT.
  2. Personalized Service Effectiveness Rate ● Measure the effectiveness of personalized services delivered through automation. Track metrics like customer engagement with personalized recommendations, conversion rates from personalized offers, and customer feedback on the relevance of personalized interactions.
  3. Fairness Perception Score in Automated Decisions ● For SMBs using automation in decision-making processes affecting customers (e.g., loan applications, service eligibility), measure customer perceptions of fairness in these automated decisions. This is crucial for maintaining ethical customer relationships.
  4. Accessible Customer Service Resolution Rate ● Track the resolution rate of customer issues reported through accessible channels designed for users with disabilities in automated systems. This KPI goes beyond basic accessibility compliance to measure the effectiveness of inclusive customer service.
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Operational Ethics and Governance KPIs

At the intermediate level, ethical automation measurement extends to operational governance and accountability, ensuring ethical principles are embedded in the very processes of automation management.

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Integrating Ethical KPIs into SMB Dashboards

Ethical KPIs are not meant to be isolated metrics; they should be integrated into the SMB’s overall performance dashboards, alongside traditional business KPIs. This integration ensures that ethical considerations are not siloed but are viewed as integral to business success. Dashboards should visually represent ethical performance, allowing SMB leaders to monitor trends, identify areas for improvement, and make data-driven decisions that balance efficiency with ethical responsibility.

Table 2 ● Example of Integrated SMB Dashboard with Ethical KPIs

KPI Category Employee
KPI Metric Employee Empowerment Index
Target 7.5 (out of 10)
Current Performance 7.2
Trend
KPI Category Internal Mobility Rate Post-Automation
KPI Metric 15% annually
Target 12%
Current Performance
KPI Category Skills Utilization Rate
KPI Metric 80%
Target 85%
Current Performance
KPI Category Customer
KPI Metric Customer Trust Score (Automated)
Target 4.0 (out of 5)
Current Performance 3.8
Trend
KPI Category Personalized Service Effectiveness Rate
KPI Metric 20% conversion
Target 22%
Current Performance
KPI Category Fairness Perception Score
KPI Metric 8.0 (out of 10)
Target 7.5
Current Performance
KPI Category Operational Ethics
KPI Metric Ethical Automation Audit Frequency
Target Quarterly
Current Performance Bi-annually
Trend
KPI Category Data Ethics Training Completion Rate
KPI Metric 90%
Target 80%
Current Performance
KPI Category Bias Mitigation Effectiveness Score
KPI Metric 90% reduction
Target 85% reduction
Current Performance

Note ● Trend icons are placeholders and would be actual trend indicators in a live dashboard.

Integrating ethical KPIs into SMB dashboards transforms ethical considerations from abstract principles into actionable business intelligence.

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Tools and Technologies for Intermediate Measurement

Moving to intermediate ethical automation measurement might necessitate leveraging specific tools and technologies, although SMBs can still prioritize cost-effectiveness and practicality.

  • Advanced Survey Platforms ● Utilize survey platforms that offer more sophisticated analytics, sentiment analysis, and segmentation capabilities to gather deeper insights from employee and customer feedback.
  • Data Analytics Software ● Employ data analytics tools to track and analyze ethical KPIs, identify trends, and correlate ethical performance with business outcomes. Spreadsheet software can suffice for basic analysis, but dedicated tools offer more robust capabilities.
  • Accessibility Testing Tools ● Implement automated accessibility testing tools to regularly audit digital interfaces and automated systems for accessibility compliance, ensuring ongoing inclusivity.
  • Bias Detection Software (if Applicable) ● For SMBs using AI, explore bias detection software to analyze algorithms and datasets for potential biases, facilitating proactive mitigation efforts. Open-source tools are increasingly available.
  • Transparency Reporting Platforms ● Consider using platforms or templates designed for creating and publishing transparency reports, streamlining the process of communicating ethical automation practices to stakeholders.
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Case Study ● The Ethical KPI Journey of a Mid-Sized Retail SMB

Consider “GreenLeaf Goods,” a mid-sized retail SMB specializing in sustainable home goods. Initially, GreenLeaf implemented basic automation like inventory management software and a simple customer service chatbot. Their initial ethical measurement was limited to a basic survey and monitoring customer complaints related to the chatbot. However, as they scaled their automation efforts ● introducing AI-powered personalized recommendations and automated marketing campaigns ● they realized the need for a more robust ethical measurement framework.

GreenLeaf Goods embarked on an “Ethical KPI Journey,” starting by defining key ethical principles relevant to their brand and values ● fairness, transparency, sustainability, and customer empowerment. They then developed a set of intermediate ethical KPIs aligned with these principles:

They integrated these KPIs into their existing business dashboards, alongside sales figures and customer acquisition costs. Initially, their Fairness Perception Score was lower than desired, indicating customer concerns about automated pricing adjustments. By analyzing customer feedback and adjusting their pricing algorithms for greater transparency, they saw a significant improvement in the score, along with increased customer trust and loyalty. Their Ethical KPI Journey transformed ethical considerations from abstract ideals into actionable business strategies, driving both ethical performance and business success.

For SMBs ready to move beyond the fundamentals, embracing intermediate ethical automation measurement is about strategic integration. It’s about embedding ethical KPIs into business dashboards, leveraging appropriate tools, and embarking on a journey of continuous ethical improvement. This approach positions SMBs not just as efficient operators, but as ethical leaders in their respective markets, building a sustainable rooted in trust and values.

Advanced

Ninety-two percent of business leaders believe ethical AI is crucial for long-term success, a sentiment that transcends mere compliance and ventures into the realm of strategic imperative. For advanced SMBs, measuring ethical transcends KPI dashboards and delves into the complex interplay of organizational culture, societal impact, and long-term value creation. It’s about viewing ethical automation not as a risk mitigation exercise, but as a transformative force capable of shaping market leadership and fostering a sustainable, responsible business ecosystem. This advanced stage necessitates a shift towards sophisticated frameworks, longitudinal studies, and a profound understanding of the multi-dimensional implications of ethical automation, positioning SMBs at the vanguard of responsible technological innovation.

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Sophisticated Frameworks for Ethical Automation Measurement

Advanced ethical automation measurement requires moving beyond simple metrics and embracing comprehensive frameworks that capture the systemic and interconnected nature of ethical considerations. These frameworks provide a structured approach to assessing ethical impact across multiple dimensions, fostering a holistic understanding of responsible automation.

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The Multi-Dimensional Ethical Automation Impact Framework (MEAI)

The MEAI framework proposes a structured approach to evaluating ethical automation across five interconnected dimensions:

  1. Human Dignity and Rights ● This dimension assesses the impact of automation on fundamental human rights and dignity, encompassing aspects like labor rights, freedom from discrimination, and psychological well-being. Measurement focuses on indicators of employee empowerment, fair labor practices in automated workflows, and the absence of algorithmic bias leading to discriminatory outcomes.
  2. Fairness and Justice ● This dimension evaluates the fairness and equity of automated systems in decision-making processes, resource allocation, and service delivery. Measurement includes metrics related to algorithmic fairness, equitable access to automated services, and the absence of disparate impact on marginalized groups.
  3. Transparency and Explainability ● This dimension examines the transparency and explainability of automated systems, particularly AI-driven technologies. Measurement focuses on the degree to which automated decision-making processes are understandable, auditable, and accountable to stakeholders.
  4. Societal and Environmental Impact ● This dimension broadens the scope to consider the wider societal and environmental consequences of automation implementation. Measurement includes indicators of automation’s contribution to social good, environmental sustainability, and responsible resource utilization.
  5. Accountability and Governance ● This dimension assesses the governance structures and accountability mechanisms in place to ensure ethical oversight of automation. Measurement focuses on the presence of ethical review boards, clear lines of responsibility for ethical automation, and mechanisms for redress and remediation in case of ethical breaches.

The MEAI framework is not a checklist, but a structured lens through which SMBs can systematically analyze and measure the ethical implications of their automation strategies, fostering a deeper and more nuanced understanding of responsible innovation.

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Longitudinal Ethical Impact Studies

Advanced measurement necessitates longitudinal studies that track the ethical impact of automation over extended periods. Cross-sectional snapshots provide limited insights; longitudinal studies reveal trends, identify emergent ethical challenges, and assess the long-term consequences of on employees, customers, and society.

  • Panel Data Analysis ● Employ panel data analysis techniques to track ethical KPIs and impact indicators over time, allowing for the identification of trends, causal relationships, and the long-term effects of automation interventions.
  • Cohort Studies ● Conduct cohort studies focusing on specific groups of employees or customers impacted by automation, tracking their experiences, perceptions, and outcomes over time to gain in-depth understanding of longitudinal ethical effects.
  • Time Series Analysis ● Utilize time series analysis to examine the temporal dynamics of ethical KPIs, identifying patterns, seasonal variations, and long-term trends in ethical performance related to automation.
  • Qualitative Longitudinal Research ● Complement quantitative longitudinal studies with qualitative longitudinal research, involving repeated interviews or ethnographic studies to capture the evolving narratives, experiences, and ethical perceptions of stakeholders over time.

Longitudinal studies provide a dynamic and nuanced understanding of ethical automation impact, moving beyond static assessments to capture the evolving ethical landscape and inform adaptive strategies for responsible innovation.

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Advanced Tools and Methodologies

Advanced ethical automation measurement may require leveraging sophisticated tools and methodologies, often drawing upon interdisciplinary approaches and cutting-edge technologies.

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Case Study ● Proactive Ethical Governance at “TechForward Solutions”

“TechForward Solutions,” a rapidly scaling SMB in the software development sector, recognized early on that ethical automation was not just a compliance issue, but a strategic differentiator. They proactively established an “Ethical Automation Governance Board” composed of internal ethics experts, external ethicists, and employee representatives. This board was tasked with developing and implementing an advanced ethical automation measurement framework based on the MEAI model.

TechForward Solutions implemented longitudinal ethical impact studies, tracking ethical KPIs across the MEAI dimensions over a five-year period. They utilized AI ethics auditing platforms to continuously monitor their AI-driven automation systems for bias and explainability, and employed social impact assessment methodologies to evaluate the broader societal implications of their automation solutions. Their longitudinal studies revealed a positive correlation between their ethical automation performance and key business outcomes, including increased employee retention, enhanced customer trust, and improved brand reputation. Furthermore, they discovered unexpected benefits, such as increased innovation driven by ethical considerations, as ethical constraints fostered creative problem-solving and responsible design thinking.

TechForward Solutions also embraced transparency reporting at an advanced level, publishing detailed annual “Ethical Automation Impact Reports” that disclosed their ethical performance, challenges, and future strategies. These reports became a cornerstone of their stakeholder communication, building trust and demonstrating their commitment to responsible innovation. Their proactive and advanced measurement framework positioned TechForward Solutions as a leader in ethical AI and automation, attracting ethically conscious clients and talent, and fostering a rooted in responsible business practices.

Advanced ethical automation measurement is not about chasing perfection; it’s about fostering a culture of continuous ethical improvement and responsible innovation.

For SMBs aspiring to lead in the age of automation, embracing advanced ethical measurement is a strategic imperative. It’s about adopting sophisticated frameworks, conducting longitudinal studies, leveraging cutting-edge tools, and fostering a culture of proactive ethical governance. This advanced approach transforms ethical automation from a compliance burden into a source of competitive advantage, driving sustainable growth, fostering stakeholder trust, and positioning SMBs as ethical pioneers in the evolving landscape of responsible technology.

References

  • Bostrom, Nick. Superintelligence ● Paths, Dangers, Strategies. Oxford University Press, 2014.
  • Brynjolfsson, Erik, and Andrew McAfee. The Second Machine Age ● Work, Progress, and Prosperity in a Time of Brilliant Technologies. W. W. Norton & Company, 2014.
  • Dignum, Virginia. Responsible Artificial Intelligence ● How to Develop and Use AI in a Responsible Way. Springer, 2019.
  • Floridi, Luciano. The Ethics of Artificial Intelligence ● Principles, Challenges, and Opportunities. Oxford University Press, 2023.
  • O’Neil, Cathy. Weapons of Math Destruction ● How Big Data Increases Inequality and Threatens Democracy. Crown, 2016.

Reflection

Perhaps the most critical metric for ethical remains unquantifiable ● the gut feeling of the business owner. Spreadsheets and KPIs offer valuable data, yet they can never fully capture the nuanced human dimensions of ethical decision-making. Ultimately, ethical automation isn’t a destination to be reached, but a continuous navigation guided by a deeply ingrained sense of fairness and responsibility.

The true measure of ethical implementation might just be the quiet confidence of an SMB owner who knows, beyond the numbers, that their automation serves not just the bottom line, but the greater good of their employees, customers, and community. This intuitive compass, honed by experience and empathy, may be the most reliable instrument in the complex ethical landscape of automation.

Ethical Automation Measurement, SMB Automation Strategy, Responsible Technology Implementation, Business Ethics in Automation

SMBs measure ethical automation by tracking employee impact, customer trust, and operational transparency, ensuring technology serves business and stakeholders fairly.

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Explore

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