Information Risk Communication in the Context of Zika Virus: A Pilot Study

Dissemination of information to at-risk populations is essential in any emergency situation. Among many health emergencies, Zika virus is a large-scale health challenge that requires authorities to communicate the risks of the virus, and, potential protective measures to the population. Communication technologies have an important role to play in this effort. Other factors, such as hazard characteristics and warning fatigue, also influence the effectiveness of communication. This article develops an adaptation of the Protective Action Decision Making (PADM) model for a holistic understanding of the technical and non-technical factors that influence the responses of vulnerable individuals to information about the Zika virus. The findings are expected to provide practical guidance to public health agencies in the selection of appropriate mix of media to deliver information about Zika. Investigation of antecedents to vulnerable stakeholders’ response will contribute to the growing literature on information risk communication and emergency responses to potential epidemics

Cultural Influence and the Effective Use of Security Awareness in Congolese Organizations

In today’s global economy, the need to reuse technological advancements as well as training and awareness materials for information security programs from western countries in developing nations is growing. To understand the underlying drivers of employees effective use behaviors as it relates to security awareness programs in organizations; this study examined the extrinsic and intrinsic motivation factors that influence employees’ effective use of security awareness programs in organizations located in developing nations. The results showed that influencing employees’ attitudes toward security is a better predictor of employees’ effective use of security awareness programs than compliance intention. Cultural has also shown to have an influence over employee’s effective use of security awareness program

Cultural Influence and the Effective Use of Security Awareness in Congolese Organizations

In today’s global economy, there is a growing need to apply technological advancements as well as training and awareness materials from western countries on information security programs in developing nations. To understand the underlying drivers of employees’ effective use behaviors in relation to security awareness programs in organizations, this study examines the extrinsic and intrinsic motivation factors that influence employees located in developing nations. The results indicate that influencing employees’ attitudes toward security is a better predictor of employees’ effective use of security awareness programs than their intention to comply. Cultural effects has also proven to have an influence on employees’ effective use of security awareness programs

Digital Health Innovation: Exploring Adoption of COVID-19 Digital Contact Tracing Apps

With the outbreak of COVID-19, contact tracing is becoming a used intervention to control the spread of this highly infectious disease. This article explores an individual's intention to adopt COVID-19 digital contact tracing (DCT) apps. A conceptual framework developed for this article combines the procedural fairness theory, dual calculus theory, protection motivation theory, theory of planned behavior, and Hofstede's cultural dimension theory. The study adopts a quantitative approach collecting data from 714 respondents using a random sampling technique. The proposed model is tested using structural equation modeling. Empirical results found that the perceived effectiveness of privacy policy negatively influenced privacy concerns, whereas perceived vulnerability had a positive influence. Expected personal and community-related outcomes of sharing information positively influenced attitudes toward DCT apps, while privacy concerns had a negative effect. The intention to adopt DCT apps were positively influenced by attitude, subjective norms, and privacy self-efficacy. This article is the first to empirically test the adoption of DCT apps of the COVID-19 pandemic and contributes both theoretically and practically toward understanding factors influencing its widespread adoption

Examining the Effect of Security Behavior on the Continuance Use of Mobile Money Services in Ghana: A protection Motivation Perspective

Mobile Money Services are essential for dealing with transactions in today\u27s digital economy. The use of mobile money services is an essential contributor to financial inclusion and economic development in developing countries. Unfortunately, the service has become a platform for fraud and other risky online activities. It is therefore imperative for users to rely on behaviors that protect their mobile money wallets in order to continuously use the service. However, there is no empirical evidence on this in the literature. This study therefore intends to investigate the effects of user security behaviors on the continuance use of mobile money services in Ghana. To do this, our study seeks to develop a conceptual model based on the protection motivation theory and validate it using survey data from mobile money users in Ghana and structural equation modelling. Findings from this study are intended to make major contributions to research, practice and policy. Keywords security behavior, continuance use, mobile money services, protection motivation

Employees’ behavioural intention to smartphone security:a gender-based, cross-national study

Despite the benefits of bring your own device (BYOD) programmes, they are considered one of the top security risks companies are facing. Furthermore, there is a gap in the literature in understanding gender differences in employees' smartphone security behavioural intention. This research analyses gender differences in smartphone security behavioural intention among employees in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the United States (US). The research develops a new model, the behavioural model of cybersecurity (BMS), based on a combination of the protection motivation theory (PMT), the general deterrence theory (GDT) and Hofstede's cultural dimensions. A questionnaire was distributed to employees in both countries. A total of 1156 useable responses were analysed using partial least squares-structural equation modelling. The findings show that gender differences exist, but neither male nor female employees in either country are aware of the risks associated with their use of smartphones, despite their awareness of the existence of their company's BYOD security policies. The research provides theoretical and practical contributions by developing a new model combining the PMT, GDT and Hofstede's cultural dimensions and suggests gender differences in employees' smartphone security behavioural intention in a cross-national context. It has several practical implications for practitioners and policymakers

Six Feet Apart: Relational Turbulence Theory and Coping with COVID-19 within Long-Distance Relationships

Among research that currently exists, no studies thus far combine elements of COVID-19, long-distance relationships, and Relational Turbulence Theory to explain how each of these elements impacts the others, if at all. Previous research does exist on each of these elements individually, although research regarding the long-term effects of COVID-19 on relationships is minimal considering the pandemic is ongoing. Long-distance relationships have been studied using Relational Turbulence Theory in previous studies within military relationships but have not been studied in connection with either COVID-19 or among college students. This study was conducted by way of qualitative, one-on-one interviews to determine the presence of turbulence in long-distance relationships resulting from separation due to the COVID-19 pandemic and how couples cope with unexpected turbulence. A sample of nine participants aged 18-30 engaged in long-term, long-distance relationships were interviewed. After interviews were completed, the responses were then coded and analyzed for thematic similarities and differences. Results of this study show that interviewed long-distance couples did not experience more turbulence in their relationships resulting from COVID-19, but instead felt as though their relationships progressed. Although progression was reported by most participants, turbulence was still expressed as well as the use of protective buffering among couples while distanced. Maintenance strategies utilized by long-distance couples during the pandemic were explained to aid in maintaining physical and emotional intimacy while separated as well. This study is a thematic analysis of relational turbulence theory and how turbulence affected long-distance couples facing a global pandemic. As more research regarding the effects of COVID-19 is published daily, more studies might be conducted to better discover relational turbulence and coping strategies used within romantic, long-term relationships to better prevent turbulence in the future during other unprecedented, unexpected events such as the pandemic

Organizational and Team Culture as Antecedents of Protection Motivation Among IT Employees

The rapid development of technology and information systems has led to higher information security-related issues in an organization. The age of remote working (i.e., telecommuting) has further increased information security related incidents that need to be adequately addressed. This paper extends the protection motivation theory by drawing insights from organizational and institutional theory literature to examine how organizational culture and subcultures such as team culture impact information security compliance. The primary objective of this study is to understand the impact of the dimensions of organizational culture and team culture on employees’ perceived threats and coping motivation associated with information security compliance. The study applied structural equation modeling to analyze survey responses of 341 IT employees in the United States. The result of the study indicates that both organization and team culture impacts employees’ perception to appraise threat and coping, which in turn impacts behavioral intention to comply with information security policies. The findings of this study con- tribute to the information security compliance research by demonstrating the importance of developing an information security culture within an organization and its subgroups