Understanding the Formation of Information Security Climate Perceptions: A Longitudinal Social Network Analysis

Business process capture is a first step in the larger endeavour of business process management. In this paper we view business process capture as a knowledge conversion process. We explore the conversion of knowledge when business analysts capture information about business processes from domain experts. We identify seven process capture activities in a thematic analysis of comments made by business analysts in response to open-ended questions in an online survey. The seven activities are involving, simplifying, tailoring, training, combining, confirming, and engaging soft skills. We show how these activities involve the transfer of tacit and explicit knowledge between the business analyst and the domain expert and how the transfer conforms to the SECI modes of knowledge conversion, well known in the research domain of knowledge management. The paper contributes a SECI-based knowledge conversion model of business process capture and insight for business analysts about business process capture activities

Interpersonal dynamics: a communitarian perspective

Conventional theories of power within organisations focus on the extent to which one party can impose their will on others through social influence. Discussion of the way that same-sex and opposite-sex attraction impacts on the workplace is rarely theorised either because it is considered uncivilised or taboo. Investigations are also hampered by resistance amongst research participants even when care is taken to establish mixed groups from different organisations. As a result, holistic theories of management control that take account of sexual behaviour remain rare. This paper examines empirical data from an 18-month critical ethnography to present new theory on interpersonal dynamics, socialisation and identification. A grounded theory is developed that suggests social decisions are closely linked to the psychology of giving and getting attention and assistance. As relationships develop, patterns of giving and receiving create economic and social dependencies that evolve into the tacit rules of social life and affect the bonds between people. Sharp conflicts occur when one party wants to change the relationship and the other party resists. The process of renegotiation affects the stability of directly and indirectly affected relationships and can change patterns of influence and bases of social power. Individuals’ commitment and health can be affected. Decision-making and impacts are affected by the state of other relationships, past experiences, social and economic dependency and the aspirations of both parties. Findings are reviewed against existing theories of power to offer a radical perspective that power has two-faces, the ability to influence and the ability to resist influence. Authoritarian behaviours can be activated by perceptions of powerlessness rather than a sense of power. The implications for handling conflicts and harassment claims are discussed, together with comment on gender theory and its relationship to corporate governance.</p

The role of attachment styles in team functioning

This research explored the potential influences on team functioning, from the perspective of adult attachment theory. Attachment styles are seen to reflect internal working models of self, others, and relationships, and influence individuals’ motivations, abilities, and perceptions as regards relationships. The research question explored what the role and influence of an individual’s global and team attachment style may have upon an individual’s experience of a work team. It sought to explain engagement with an individual’s work team, what is the subsequent influence of this on performance and how attachment style contributes to this. The key issues of Team Member Exchange and Team Identification were explored as areas of team functioning. These are the variables used to study and understand an individual’s team experiences, their engagement with the team, and the relationship with their performance ratings. The research found that both adult global and team attachment styles were negatively associated with Team Member Exchange (TMX), Team Identification, job satisfaction, performance ratings and Organisational Citizenship Behaviours (OCB). Using mediation analysis, team avoidant attachment was consistently and strongly associated with the study’s dependent variables and emerged as the key explanatory variable in this research. When all the attachment styles were analysed simultaneously to determine the unique effects of each attachment style, team avoidance style was the most useful in understanding both TMX and Team Identification, job satisfaction, OCB and performance measures. Those with avoidant team attachment styles felt that the experience of team was negative with lower TMX and Team Identification reported. The research has added new insights to the team and attachment literature with the important contribution of team avoidance attachment to TMX and Team Identification

Exploring the Antecedents of Shadow Information Security Practices

Employees are both the first line of defence in organisations as well as a significant source of vulnerability. Behavioural research in information security (InfoSec) has studied compliance of employees with organisational directives. Less understood are ‘shadow security practices’–a related category of behaviour where employees invent InfoSec workarounds albeit with the intention of still complying with organisational InfoSec directives. In this research-in-progress paper, we present the theoretical development of a model, by conducting in-depth reviews of the relevant and multidisciplinary literatures, to identify the potential antecedents of the employees\u27 intention to perform shadow security

Beliefs and behaviours for preventing occupational health problems among the second-hand clothing sellers in southern Thailand

AimThe overarching aims of this study were to explore what second hand clothing sellers understand about their occupational health risks and how they might minimise and prevent these risks and secondly to explore if this understanding influences to their preventive health behaviours.BackgroundPrevious work I noticed that the sellers were exposed to health risks from working processes such as dust from clothes, UV exposure and heavy lifting without using personal protective equipment such as mask, hat and sunglasses, although these health risks can be protected against by cheap materials and preventive health behaviours to deal with the health risks are not complicated. In the light of the problems as outlined earlier, it is necessary to investigate why these workers are exposed to health threats from a working environment without sufficient protection. It is vital to understand the threats by exploring the understandings of the workers of work exposures, their beliefs, and examine how such understandings may have a role in directions for any preventive health behaviours.Theoretical frameworkHealth Belief Model (HBM) focusing on health beliefs including preventive health behaviour was adopted as a theoretical framework to guide the assimilation of existing evidence and to frame the qualitative ethnographic study.Methodology and methodsEthnographic research methods, underpinned by an interpretative paradigm, were applied to obtain rich, culturally embedded information. Participant observation along with note-taking and photographs as well as ethnographic interviews were contemporaneously conducted over a six months period in Yala province, a district located in the southern border province of Thailand. Ethnographic data analysis based on the principle of HBM theory was utilised to analyse in-depth data from interview transcripts and sets this against a backdrop of detailed observation.ResultThe most significant findings of the present study are as follows: Cues to action which produce information and knowledge are the most important component influencing the other components of HBM according to findings from this market context. It seems that personal indirect experience is highly impactful for behaviour change and is most important for health promotion strategy for second-hand clothing sellers. Perceived barriers (especially discomfort for using personal protective equipment) was the most important component affecting negative working behaviours of second-hand clothing sellers. Limitations to access to information and context specific knowledge of second-hand clothing sellers is considered the most influential cause underpinning the occurrence of inadequate health beliefs and observations of negative work behaviour of second-hand clothing sellers. While the findings may not be surprising, they do add to further insight about the application of the HBM to this unregulated work context, and furthermore provide indicative directions for informing health promotion strategy that is tailored to the context of the market.ConclusionPromotion of knowledge and theoretically informed discussion of beliefs including self-efficacy are considered as indications for health promotion strategy for the sellers

Evidence synthesis on the occurrence, causes, consequences, prevention and management of bullying and harassment behaviours to inform decision making in the NHS

Background Workplace bullying is a persistent problem in the NHS with negative implications for individuals, teams, and organisations. Bullying is a complex phenomenon and there is a lack of evidence on the best approaches to manage the problem. Aims Research questions What is known about the occurrence, causes, consequences and management of bullying and inappropriate behaviour in the workplace? Objectives Summarise the reported prevalence of workplace bullying and inappropriate behaviour. Summarise the empirical evidence on the causes and consequences of workplace bullying and inappropriate behaviour. Describe any theoretical explanations of the causes and consequences of workplace bullying and inappropriate behaviour. Synthesise evidence on the preventative and management interventions that address workplace bullying interventions and inappropriate behaviour. Methods To fulfil a realist synthesis approach the study was designed across four interrelated component parts: Part 1: A narrative review of the prevalence, causes and consequences of workplace bullying Part 2: A systematic literature search and realist review of workplace bullying interventions Part 3: Consultation with international bullying experts and practitioners Part 4: Identification of case studies and examples of good practic

Identifying factors influencing the leadership performance of Saudi's healthcare sector

The purpose of this article is to identify the aspects that relate to performance level; including enablers and inhibitors that influence leadership performance in the healthcare sector of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). A grounded research methodology and an action research approach that was ‘issue focused’ were used to gain the perceptions of the participants from the organisational culture as empirical data. The overall trends observed in the collected data emphasize the important role of culture in shaping performance level. In addition, the domination of factors related to the national culture and Islamic values has appeared the greatest factor affecting leaders' decisions; it also forms their relations with subordinates as well as their commitment to the organization. Viewed through this study, the effect of culture aspects on the performance level in this important sector can be understood and new and integrated solutions to overcome potential negative outcomes. Because of the chosen research approach, the research results may lack generalisability. Therefore, researchers are encouraged to test the proposed propositions further. The paper discusses the implications of the study findings for healthcare sector managers in different levels. This paper fulfils an identified need to study how culture can influence workforce practices in healthcare organizations and to what extent can that affect the quality of services delivered to the patients