James Reardon, Denny McCorkle, Anita Radon and Desalegn Abraha
Intellectual property theft amounts to billions of dollars per year worldwide. The first step in stemming this loss is to understand the underlying precursors of this behavior…
Abstract
Purpose
Intellectual property theft amounts to billions of dollars per year worldwide. The first step in stemming this loss is to understand the underlying precursors of this behavior. This paper aims to propose and test a model of consumer choice to purchase or pirate intellectual property, specifically music. This paper combines and applies the theory of reasoned action (TRA) and Becker’s theory of crime to develop a more comprehensive model of digital piracy behavior. Culture was tested as an antecedent to the attitudes and the perceptions of risk associated with music piracy.
Design/methodology/approach
A survey of 4,618 participants was conducted across 23 countries. Construct measures were validated using confirmatory factor analysis in LISREL. A conceptual model was tested using logistic structural equation modeling in MPlus. Respondents were asked about the last music they acquired to test a behavioral model of music piracy.
Findings
The results indicated that culture, specifically rule orientation and uncertainty avoidance, had a significant impact on attitudes toward the music industry, ethical perceptions of music piracy and risk perceptions. Respondents’ ethical perceptions of downloading had the highest impact on music piracy behavior. The personal/copy risk associated with the illegal downloading of music had a significant impact while the relative channel risk did not. The market value, quality and selection also had a significant impact on downloading behavior, as did the respondent's ability to find and download music.
Research limitations/implications
While this paper was limited by focusing on the illegal downloading of music, the results can provide guidance in the design of future research concerning the piracy and unlicensed downloading of other types of intellectual properties such as movies/videos, TV, paywall content and e-books.
Practical implications
In recent years, improved access to music and video through online streaming and online stores has significantly decreased music piracy. This research indicated that further inroads into this behavior could be made through better online purchase access and through consumer education about the ethics and results of digital downloading. Further, efforts are more efficient by targeting cultures with lower levels of rule orientation with ethics education and targeted risk messages in countries with higher uncertainty avoidance.
Social implications
Yearly losses to the music industry amount to about $5-29bn. Many find music and video downloading and “sharing” as acceptable. The model developed in this research has implications to affect this mass loss of revenue to the music industry and perhaps the societal view of downloading behavior that is illegal but commonly accepted.
Originality/value
This model is the first to integrate cultural aspects into models of digital piracy. In addition, the model is developed from a strong theoretical base (TRA and Becker’s theory of crime) to integrate multiple antecedents to intellectual property theft research.
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Examines the thirteenth published year of the ITCRR. Runs the whole gamut of textile innovation, research and testing, some of which investigates hitherto untouched aspects…
Abstract
Examines the thirteenth published year of the ITCRR. Runs the whole gamut of textile innovation, research and testing, some of which investigates hitherto untouched aspects. Subjects discussed include cotton fabric processing, asbestos substitutes, textile adjuncts to cardiovascular surgery, wet textile processes, hand evaluation, nanotechnology, thermoplastic composites, robotic ironing, protective clothing (agricultural and industrial), ecological aspects of fibre properties – to name but a few! There would appear to be no limit to the future potential for textile applications.
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War is, perhaps, mans greatest sin, which is not the same as saying war is never necessary — when an army of Argies shot up a small Royal Marine unit in the Falklands and occupied…
Abstract
War is, perhaps, mans greatest sin, which is not the same as saying war is never necessary — when an army of Argies shot up a small Royal Marine unit in the Falklands and occupied the land area against the will of the English speaking people, what does a self‐respecting country do? Well, the only answer is to ask what you would do if a renegade mob smashed into your house, abused your family and refused to leave. Let's face it, if you had not the muscle to eject them, the number dialled would be 999 and a squad car with a couple of boys in blue would be round double quick to do their duty.
This paper aims to examine the effects of extractive activities on the well-being of local communities and assesses stakeholder expectations of resource benefits and the corporate…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to examine the effects of extractive activities on the well-being of local communities and assesses stakeholder expectations of resource benefits and the corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices of oil companies in Ghana.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper uses a qualitative approach based on an exploratory research design to investigate the opinions and experiences of stakeholders in the growing oil and gas industry in Ghana.
Findings
The empirical findings demonstrate that entry negotiated agreements and local content requirements in the offshore oil industry have minimal benefits because of the lack of linkages with the economies of local communities. Additionally, the nature of CSR practices within the extractive industry is directly traceable to the resource governance arrangements and plural logics in Ghana’s institutional context.
Research limitations/implications
This study only provides insights into natural resource governance and CSR issues in offshore oil and gas projects. Thus, the findings are not generalisable to the entire industry, including onshore drilling, which have other sustainability issues.
Practical implications
This research highlights the gap in natural resource management in Ghana and the effects of community expectations on CSR practices in the oil and gas industry. Therefore, this study posits the significance for including compliance requirements for improving the well-being of host communities in entry negotiated agreements and local contents.
Originality/value
By highlighting the nuanced issues in natural resource management within the oil and gas industry in Ghana, this paper makes significant contributions to the CSR and sustainability literature.
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Karol Čarnogurský, Peter Madzík, Anna Diacikova and Jakub Bercik
The aim of this paper is to examine how indoor aromatization affects the expressed and unexpressed satisfaction with the work environment in the production hall of an industrial…
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this paper is to examine how indoor aromatization affects the expressed and unexpressed satisfaction with the work environment in the production hall of an industrial company.
Design/methodology/approach
The aroma was flavored by an aromatization unit, the expressed satisfaction was measured on a scale and biometrics of facial recognition (FaceReader) was used to measure unexpressed satisfaction, enabling the recording of eight emotions and two basic emotions.
Findings
Research has shown the effect of aroma on two emotions – neutral and angry – which partially confirmed the sense of flavoring production facilities. Previous research has shown that positive feelings caused by a pleasant smell influence customers' purchasing decisions. As the use of aroma affects the mental state of the individual, it could be also applied for non-marketing purposes.
Originality/value
To date, there has been no research that systematically addresses the impact of aromatization on the perception of the work environment in a manufacturing company. The presented study is unique in its design and focus and provides basic information about the impact of aroma on individuals. The findings of this study can help to examine further aspects that indirectly affect performance.