Information technology users often fail to adopt necessary security and privacy measures, leading to increased risk of cybercrimes. There has been limited research on how…
Abstract
Purpose
Information technology users often fail to adopt necessary security and privacy measures, leading to increased risk of cybercrimes. There has been limited research on how demographic differences influence information security behaviour and understanding this could be important in identifying users who may be more likely to have poor information security behaviour. This study aims to investigate whether there are any gender differences in security and privacy behaviours and perceptions, to identify potential differences that may have implications for protecting users’ privacy and securing their devices, software and data.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper addresses this research gap by investigating security behaviours and perceptions in the following two studies: one focussing on information security and one on information privacy. Data was collected in both studies using anonymous online surveys.
Findings
This study finds significant differences between men and women in over 40% of the security and privacy behaviours considered, suggesting that overall levels of both are significantly lower for women than for men, with behaviours that require more technical skill being adopted less by female users. Furthermore, individual perceptions exhibited some gender differences.
Originality/value
This research suggests that potential gender differences in some security and privacy behaviours and perceptions should be taken into account when designing information security education, training and awareness initiatives for both organisations and the broader community. This study also provides a strong foundation to explore information security individual differences more deeply.
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Nik Thompson, Atif Ahmad and Sean Maynard
It is a widely held belief that users make a rational cost-benefit decision when choosing whether to disclose information online. Yet, in the privacy context, the evidence is far…
Abstract
Purpose
It is a widely held belief that users make a rational cost-benefit decision when choosing whether to disclose information online. Yet, in the privacy context, the evidence is far from conclusive suggesting that strong and as-yet unmeasured influences on behaviour may exist. This paper aims to demonstrate one such link – the effect of internet addiction on information disclosure.
Design/methodology/approach
Data from 216 Web users was collected regarding their perceptions on privacy and information disclosure intentions as well as avoidance behaviour, an element of internet addiction. Using a research model based on the Privacy Calculus theory, structural equation modelling was applied to quantify the determinants of online disclosure under various conditions.
Findings
The authors show that not all aspects of privacy (a multi-dimensional construct) influence information disclosure. While concerns about data collection influence self-disclosure behaviour, the level of awareness about privacy does not. They next examine the impact of internet addiction on these relationships, finding that internet addiction weakens the influence of privacy concerns to the point of non-significance.
Originality/value
The authors highlight some of the influences of self-disclosure behaviour, showing that some but not all aspects of privacy are influential. They also demonstrate that there are powerful influences on user behaviour that have not been accounted for in prior work; internet addiction is one of these factors. This provides some of the first evidence of the potentially deleterious effect of internet addiction on the privacy calculus.
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Nik Thompson and Jack Brindley
This paper contrasts the determinants of online disclosures about self and others in social media.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper contrasts the determinants of online disclosures about self and others in social media.
Design/methodology/approach
Data from 216 respondents were collected through an online survey. The formal research model was tested with covariance based structural equation modeling.
Findings
The determinants of online disclosures vary whether the subject is self or others. Social networking site (SNS) users who self-disclose are also more likely to share information about others. Furthermore, there are significant gender effects in the influences of disclosure as revealed by multi-group SEM.
Research limitations/implications
Future research models should incorporate the construct of disclosure about others and examine the intertwining of different types of disclosure on SNS. Future work should include behavioral measures, as this study relied on self-report measures.
Practical implications
The current understanding of information sharing does not accommodate different forms of disclosure. Employers or systems administrators concerned about data sharing may need to tailor interventions to the subject of the disclosure. Furthermore, the significant gender differences in determinants of disclosure suggest that this should be considered in practical applications.
Originality/value
Disclosure about others has not been examined in prior work. This study contributes by offering empirical data on the contrasting determinants of disclosure as well as gender differences. It improves the understanding of online information sharing, a topic of particular relevance in today's information oriented society.
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Karen Munro and David Grierson
The world’s urban population is rapidly growing, now exceeding its rural population, and is expected to reach 70% of the world’s total by 2050. Research in environmental…
Abstract
The world’s urban population is rapidly growing, now exceeding its rural population, and is expected to reach 70% of the world’s total by 2050. Research in environmental psychology increasingly supports the Biophilia Hypothesis which holds that our connection with Nature is innate. Thus, how do we maintain a human connection to Nature in an increasingly urbanising world? This paper is based on current research work and explores the boundary between built and natural environments, specifically how visual connectivity to Nature affects how people use social spaces, compared to spatial connectivity. Case study work is being undertaken at Arcosanti urban laboratory in the Arizona desert. Arcosanti construction began in 1970 to test Paolo Soleri’s Arcology Theory which proposes, in opposition to sprawling cities, a new form of urban setting which is compact with tightly restricted horizontal growth, leaving the surrounding natural environment as undeveloped “wilderness”. Through development of a Space/Nature Syntax methodology applied within a uniquely compact urban form, this research attempts to understand how designing to maintain the instinctive bond with Nature can affect social interaction and inform future design choices within built environments. This paper describes the development of, and basis for, the Space/Nature Syntax methodology, presents initial findings achieved through its recent application at Arcosanti, and outlines future work. Initial analysis indicates that visual connectivity to Nature is a significant influence on certain types of social interactions when compared to spatial connectivity, although more research is needed to verify the level of significance.
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Mustaruddin Saleh, Norhayah Zulkifli and Rusnah Muhamad
The aim of this paper is to explore corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosure and its relation to institutional ownership (IO) of Malaysian public listed companies (PLCs).
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this paper is to explore corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosure and its relation to institutional ownership (IO) of Malaysian public listed companies (PLCs).
Design/methodology/approach
Testing of hypotheses have been conducted by applying multivariate regression techniques utilizing longitudinal data analysis of companies' annual reports. Two well‐established models, the fixed effects model and random effects model are conducted in this paper.
Findings
Results which confirmed earlier estimations indicated that there are positive and significant relationships between CSR disclosure (CSRD) and IO. This result suggests that Malaysian PLCs are able to attract and maintain their institutional investors while they engage in social activities.
Practical implications
Companies should be encouraged to be involved in CSR activities as one of their strategies in attracting investment as well as to improve their reputation and image.
Originality/value
Most studies on CSRD in Malaysia pertain to the analysis of such reporting and motivations of managers towards CSRD. This paper conducts a comprehensive empirical research on the relationship between CSRD and IO in Malaysian PLCs.
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Wahid Murad and Nik Hashim Nik Mustapha
This study examines whether or not the waste management practices of the poor households living in squatters and low‐cost flats in Kuala Lumpur are conducive to the environment…
Abstract
This study examines whether or not the waste management practices of the poor households living in squatters and low‐cost flats in Kuala Lumpur are conducive to the environment. With the aim of accomplishing the above, the study empirically assesses knowledge, attitude and behaviour of the urban poor concerning their household solid waste management. With primary data collected from the level of living condition and waste management practices of the urban poor, the study employed a multiplicity of statistical techniques such as t‐tests of equality of means, one‐way analysis of variance, chi‐square ‘likelihood ratio’ tests, and descriptive statistics. The findings of the study provide evidence to the effect that poverty does not cause environmental degradation as the knowledge, attitude, and behaviour of the urban poor concerning solid waste management are found to have been conducive to the environment. The study suggests that the problems of poverty and environment need to be seen differently as the causal relationship between the two does actually depend on the level of socioeconomic profile and the type of environmental practices of a particular group of community
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Mustaruddin Saleh, Norhayah Zulkifli and Rusnah Muhamad
The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and corporate financial performance (CFP) of Malaysian public listed…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and corporate financial performance (CFP) of Malaysian public listed companies (PLCs) as an emerging market setting.
Design/methodology/approach
A longitudinal data analysis with a large‐sample testing was carried out from 200 Malaysian PLCs by using panel data analysis during a seven‐years period. The statistical power with fixed effect and random effect model was utilized.
Findings
Results of earlier estimations indicate that there are positive and significant related of the CSR on CFP. Two of the CSR dimensions, namely employee relations and community involvement, were found to be positively related to financial performance. This proves that CSR practices can be considered as effort to enhance the financial performance of PLCs in Malaysia. The results also reveal that there is limited evidence of the relationship between CSR and CFP in the longterm.
Practical implications
These findings suggest that Malaysian PLCs should be involved consistently in their CSR practices because CSR has a significant impact on improving financial performance in Malaysian PLCs.
Originality/value
The majority of studies on CSR in Malaysia pertain to the analysis of such reporting and motivations of managers toward CSR practices. This study conducts a comprehensive empirical research on the relationship between CSR and CFP in Malaysian PLCs.
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Nik Nazli Nik Ahmad and Ahmed Salat Ahmed Haraf
The objective of the present study is to examine the extent, quality, nature and trends of environmental disclosures of Malaysian property development companies for the years…
Abstract
Purpose
The objective of the present study is to examine the extent, quality, nature and trends of environmental disclosures of Malaysian property development companies for the years 2004, 2005 and 2006.
Design/methodology/approach
A content analysis was undertaken of the annual reports of a sample of public listed property development companies in Malaysia for the years 2004, 2005 and 2006. The content analysis examined extent, nature and quality of disclosures, utilising number of sentences for extent and the Clarkson et al. disclosure index for nature and quality.
Findings
Malaysian property development companies do not appear to respond to the increased public concern due to recent landslide incidents by increasing the extent or quality of environmental disclosures in their annual reports. Both extent and quality of environmental disclosures are very low and most companies provide mostly “soft” disclosures. They also make very few “hard” disclosures, comprising objective, verifiable data. Thus, the Malaysian Government needs to seriously consider making environmental reporting mandatory and to provide more detailed and comprehensive environmental reporting guidelines. Another major finding is that companies are not consistent in the extent, nature or quality of environmental disclosures made over time.
Originality/value
The paper provides empirical evidence of the extent, quality and nature of environmental disclosures in an environmentally‐sensitive sector. It is the first study in a developing country to utilise the Clarkson et al. index, which was developed based on the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) guidelines.
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The purpose of this paper is to examine corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosures over a period of time when the business environment, particularly the Malaysian…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosures over a period of time when the business environment, particularly the Malaysian environment, experienced several significant changes including the recent financial crises and regulatory changes. The paper also examines factors influencing the CSR disclosures before and after the aforementioned changes.
Design/methodology/approach
A self‐constructed CSR checklist was used to measure the extent and quality of CSR disclosures in the annual reports of 85 companies listed on Bursa Malaysia for the years 2006 and 2009. A number of statistical techniques were employed to assess the CSR disclosures over time, as well as factors influencing the CSR disclosures.
Findings
Results revealed a significant overall increase in both the extent and quality of CSR disclosures between the two years covered in the study. In terms of factors influencing the CSR disclosures, director ownership, government ownership and company size were found to be significant in explaining both the extent and quality of CSR disclosures in the year 2006. Board size was found to have a significant relationship with only the extent of CSR disclosures in 2006. However, the results in the year 2009, a period following the policy changes, revealed an improved significant association between board size and CSR disclosures.
Research limitations/implications
The results, which showed a significant increasing trend in CSR disclosures following changes in the market place of an emerging economy, lend some support to legitimacy theory's conjecture that CSR disclosures are used to reduce exposure arising from the public. Hence, this study suggests corporate legitimation practices, which were previously renowned in the economically developed countries, also exist in the emerging economies. The empirical observations asserted in this study, however, were only drawn from the Malaysian context. Therefore, future research involving several emerging countries is needed to ascertain the existence of corporate legitimation exercises in the developing countries.
Practical implications
In terms of practical implications, the dominance of narrative CSR disclosures in the annual reports as opposed to verifiable information, even after the CSR mandatory requirement, could be due to the absence of a detailed CSR framework for Malaysian public listed companies. Policy makers in Malaysia may therefore want to devise detailed and specific CSR disclosure requirements, rather the current general mandatory requirement, to enhance the quality of CSR disclosures.
Originality/value
This study can be considered one of limited empirical studies to have assessed CSR disclosures following changes in the market place.
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Azlan Amran and S. Susela Devi
This paper seeks to investigate the influence of government and foreign affiliates, particularly; multinational companies on corporate social reporting (CSR) development in an…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper seeks to investigate the influence of government and foreign affiliates, particularly; multinational companies on corporate social reporting (CSR) development in an economy, where CSR awareness is low coupled with weak pressure group activism.
Design/methodology/approach
This is a cross sectional study that focuses on the information contained in the annual reports for year 2002/2003. This research uses content analysis as method to measure the extent CSR.
Findings
Based on regression analysis, the study evidences on the impact of government influence. However, the impact of foreign affiliation variables is not evident. Institutionalisation of the government's aspirations and commitment to CSR is perhaps the most appropriate description for Malaysian CSR practice.
Research limitations/implications
There are two main limitations of this study. Firstly, this study examines the annual reports for one year. Secondly, this study is annual reports centric. It does not examine any other stand alone reports that the respondents might have produced on the subject of society and the environment.
Practical implications
This study provides justification for government's role in promoting CSR practice. The impact is evidenced although there are no direct concerted efforts at that time by the government in respect of CSR policy implementation. The significant role is attributed to the unique Malaysian socio economic structure.
Originality/value
This study contributes to the CSR literature particularly in the context of economies where governments play a significant role in promoting economic development. It provides empirical evidence of the influence of government and foreign affiliates. It also adds to the literature by explaining the phenomenon from the Institutional perspective and its relevance to a developing economy.