Lori N.K. Leonard and Timothy Paul Cronan
In this study the researchers attempt to identify factors that could influence an individual's attitude toward ethical behavior in the information systems (IS) environment and…
Abstract
Purpose
In this study the researchers attempt to identify factors that could influence an individual's attitude toward ethical behavior in the information systems (IS) environment and compare them to the findings of an earlier study to determine any changes.
Design/methodology/approach
A sample of university students is used to assess environmental influences (societal, belief system, personal, professional, legal, and business), moral obligation, consequences of the action, and gender, in order to determine what influences an individual's attitude toward a behavior. Discriminant analysis is used to assess the factor influences.
Findings
The findings indicate that many factors influence attitude toward ethical decisions and are dependent upon the type of ethical issue involved. Moreover, based on two time periods, the ethical attitude influencers have shifted over time. The gender findings indicate that attitude influencers are also dependent on the sex of the individual.
Originality/value
The findings show that attitude influencers have shifted over time (since an earlier study), which means that organizations must periodically reassess their employees' ethical climate and adjust their ethics' programs as attitude influencers change. The findings also show that training programs need to focus on the different influencers for males and females.
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Keywords
Debasish Banerjee, Thomas W. Jones and Timothy Paul Cronan
The area of computer abuse and professional ethics in computing is of interest to companies as well as ethics researchers. Expands the research in ethical behaviour of information…
Abstract
The area of computer abuse and professional ethics in computing is of interest to companies as well as ethics researchers. Expands the research in ethical behaviour of information system employees. Identifies empirically a few demographic variables that are associated with the ethical behaviour of information system (IS) personnel and raises a few issues for IS managers. In addition, indicates that the existing models of ethical behaviour, when used in the computing context, need to be suitably modified by including demographic variables.
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Charles B. Foltz, Timothy Paul Cronan and Thomas W. Jones
This paper aims to examine the effectiveness of computer usage policies in university settings.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to examine the effectiveness of computer usage policies in university settings.
Design/methodology/approach
Students enrolled in business courses at three midwestern universities were divided, by class, into control and experimental groups. All subjects were asked to complete a survey regarding their awareness of university computer usage policies, consequences of misuse, and methods of policy distribution. The experimental group was exposed to sample computer usage policies. Two weeks later, all subjects were asked to complete the same survey again.
Findings
Results suggest that most students have not read their university computer usage policies. However, the presence of a computer usage policy does influence students who have read those policies, but a single exposure is insufficient to influence all subjects.
Research limitations/implications
The sample is limited to students from three universities.
Practical implications
Written policy statements alone cannot serve as a cornerstone of security; multiple factors must be used to communicate the content of the deterrents.
Originality/value
This study notes that the existence of computer usage policies within a university (or organization) does not ensure that all users are familiar with the content of those policies and the penalties imposed for their violation. Providing a copy of computer usage policies to students (or employees) and verbally highlighting major points are not sufficient exposure to eliminate indifference about computer misuse.