Information security professional perceptions of knowledge-sharing intention in virtual communities under social cognitive theory

Knowledge sharing is an important component of knowledge management systems. Security knowledge sharing substantially reduces risk and investment in information security. Despite the importance of information security, little research based on knowledge sharing has focused on the security profession. Therefore, this study analyses key factors, containing attitude, self-efficacy, personal outcome expectation, and facilitating condition, in respect of the information security workers intention to share knowledge. Information security professionals in virtual communities, including the Information Security Professional Association (ISPA), Information Systems Security Association (ISSA), Society of Information Risk Analysts (SIRA), and LinkedIn security groups, were surveyed to test the proposed research model. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and the structural equation modelling (SEM) technique were used to analyse the data and evaluate the research model. The results showed that the research model fit the data well and the structural model suggests a strong relationship between attitude and knowledge sharing intention. Hypotheses regarding the influence of self-efficacy and personal outcome expectation, to knowledge sharing attitude were upheld. Facilitating condition showed significant influences on moderating between attitude and intention

Application of fuzzy set theory to evaluate the rate of aggregative risk in information security

Organizations use different types of information system to reach their goals. Decision makers are required to allocate a security budget and treatment strategy based on the risk priority of information systems. Each of the information systems has different components or assets. However, there is difficulty in aggregating the risk of each component. In this research a model is created to aggregate the risk of information system components to support decisions. Since there is uncertainty in the information security risk analysis area, we used fuzzy set theory in our model

Studying the Trends of Policy Research in Policymaking Environment

Abstract The aim of this research is to study the trends of policy research in policymaking environment. In this line, a model by Dukeshire and Thurlow is utilized. Their model consists of four aspects including identifying the problems and difficulties, understanding main problems, supporting selected actions and the impacts of assessment and control process. In a descriptive survey among policy research agencies in Iran, Research Center in Iranian Parliament was selected as statistical community. Among 120 members of the community, 40 subjects were selected randomly. Needed data were gathered and analyzed by SPSS software. According to findings on each four aspects, there is significant difference between quo status and ideal status. It means that policy research activities in statistical community lack necessary effectiveness in policymaking environment

A Qualitative Inquiry Into the Challenges of Medical Education for Retention of General Practitioners in Rural and Underserved Areas of Iran

Objectives General practitioners (GPs) retention in rural and underserved areas highly effects on accessibility of healthcare facilities across the country. Education seems to be a critical factor that affects GPs retention. Thus, the present study aimed at inquiry into medical education challenges that limit their retention in rural and underserved areas. Methods A qualitative approach was applied for the aim of this study. Data were gathered via 28 semi-structured interviews with experts at different levels of Iran’s health system as well as GPs who retained and refused to retain working in rural settings. Interviews mainly were performed face-to-face and in some cases via telephone during 2015 and then coded and analyzed using content analysis approach. Results Iran’s medical education is faced with several challenges that were categorized in four main themes including student selection, medical students’ perception about their field of study, education setting and approach, curriculum of medical education. According to experts this challenges could results in making GP graduates disinterested for practicing in rural and underserved areas. Conclusions Challenges that were found could have negative effects on retention. Modification in student’s perception about rural practice could be done via changing education setting and approach and curriculum. These modifications could improve GPs retention in rural and underserved areas