Lori N. K. Leonard

What influences IT ethical behavior intentions: planned behavior, reasoned action, perceived importance, or individual characteristics?

This study extends IT ethics research by proposing an IT ethical behavioral model that includes attitude, perceived importance, subjective norms, situational factors, and individual characteristics. The proposed model integrates elements from the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) as well as ethical decision-making models. It is hypothesized that behavioral intention is influenced by an individuals attitude (which in turn is influenced by consequences of the action and the environment), obligation, and personal characteristics. The results of the study show that some factors are consistently significant in affecting attitude and behavioral intention. Other factors are significant only in certain scenarios. From the results, organizations may be able to develop realistic training programs for IT professionals and managers and incorporate deterrent and preventive measures that can curb the rising tide of undesired misuse.

Trust in consumer-to-consumer electronic commerce

We developed a model of consumer-to-consumer (C2C) e-commerce trust and tested it. We expected that two influences: internal (natural propensity to trust [NPT] and perception of web site quality [PWSQ]) and external (others trust of buyers/sellers [OTBS] and third party recognition [TPR]) would affect an individuals trust in C2C e-commerce. However contrary to studies of other types of e-commerce, support was only found for PWSQ and TPR; we therefore discussed possible reasons for this contradiction. Suggestions are made of ways to help e-commerce site developers provide a trustworthy atmosphere and identify trustworthy consumers.

Citation classics from the information systems literature

Abstract An analysis of 118,364 references from 3752 articles published in top IS journals during the 10 years from 1986 to 1995 is presented. Ninety-one ‘citation classics’ were identified by combining the results of this analysis with previous findings. Within this group of 91 publications, 13 ‘super classic’ publications were identified. These classics and super classics can be categorized along any of several dimensions to gain a better understanding of the IS field. These findings can be used, among other things, for developing reading lists and identifying the characteristics that make a publication ‘classic’.

Attitude toward ethical behavior in computer use: a shifting model

Purpose – In this study the researchers attempt to identify factors that could influence an individuals 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 individuals 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 findin...

Individual characteristics and ethical decision‐making in an IT context

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to propose and empirically test an ethical decision‐making model in an information technology (IT) context. The model includes both demographic and personality variables, their direct influence on beliefs and judgments, and their influence on the relationships between beliefs, judgments, and moral intent.Design/methodology/approach – Subjects were assessed on their perceptions of IT ethical scenarios both before and after discussing them with others in a web‐based chat room in order to test the research model.Findings – The results show that gender has the most profound effect on ethical decision‐making, with ego strength also having a strong effect, while locus of control has a negligible effect. Beliefs and judgments about questionable behavior shifted after (a chat) discussion more for those with low ego strength than those with high ego strength.Originality/value – The results suggest that the relationship among factors that influence ethical decision‐making is c...

Situational influences on ethical decision-making in an IT context

Processes of ethical decision-making are thought to depend on the issue faced when making the decision. We examined the processes by examining students reactions to five scenarios involving IT use. Data were collected using a questionnaire following a group discussion. The results showed that ethical decision-making processes did indeed vary by scenario, suggesting that a single-issue approach is inadequate for studying ethical decision-making. Perceived importance of the ethical issue was a factor in the scenarios, but it did not have an all-inclusive influence on the decision-making of the participants. The results were considered in the context of theories and Masons ethical issues of the information age. We offer advice to managers on how to limit unethical behavior.

Consumer-to-Consumer Electronic Commerce: A Distinct Research Stream

Consumer-to-consumer (C2C) e-commerce is a growing area of e-commerce. However, according to a meta-analysis of critical themes of e-commerce, C2C e-commerce was only represented in the area of online auctions (Wareham, Zheng, & Straub, 2005). C2C e-commerce can encompass much more than just auctions. The question then becomes, “is C2C e-commerce a different research area that deserves its own stream of research?†This study adapts constructs from a business-to-consumer (B2C) e-commerce study of satisfaction (Devaraj, Fan, & Kohli, 2002) to determine what, if any, the differences are in the C2C e-commerce arena. The constructs include elements of the technology acceptance model (TAM), which includes perceived ease of use and usefulness; transaction cost analysis (TCA), which includes uncertainty, asset specificity, and time; and service quality (SERVQUAL), which includes reliability, responsiveness, assurance, and empathy. Participants in the study answered questions regarding these various constructs in relation to their experiences with C2C e-commerce. The findings indicate that TAM, TCA, and SERVQUAL all impact satisfaction in C2C e-commerce. Reliability and responsiveness (areas of service quality) were found to influence C2C e-commerce satisfaction, where as they were not found to be an influence in the B2C study. These findings warrant further research in the C2C e-commerce arena. The study provides implications for future research and practice.

ATTITUDE INFLUENCERS IN C2C E-COMMERCE: BUYING AND SELLING

C2C e-commerce is a growing area for interactions, and ultimately, transactions. However, very little is known about buyers and sellers in these transactions. This study examines the risk and trust of buyers and sellers by developing two attitudinal models — attitude towards purchasing (for buyers) and attitude towards selling (for sellers). Collecting 248 survey responses from undergraduate students, the results indicate that both trust of the seller and risk of the seller influence the buyers attitude towards purchasing, but the model changes for sellers attitude towards selling, trust and attitude are combined into one variable and risk is not found to be an influence. A discussion of the implications of these findings is provided along with conclusions.

Supply chain replenishment: before‐and‐after EDI implementation

Purpose – This study seeks to determine whether electronic supply chains using electronic data interchange (EDI) are more successful than non‐electronic supply chains using manual (paper) purchase orders by analyzing the supplier‐manufacturer link in the SC.Design/methodology/approach – Identical products are analyzed before‐and‐after EDI implementation in an organization, therefore representing both electronic supply chain products and non‐electronic supply chain products.Findings – The empirical findings indicate that the EDI supply chain is more effective than the manual supply chain in terms of: shorter order cycles, greater availability, lower (purchase) price, and lower (transaction) cost.Originality/value – The present research study provides for a number of future research possibilities. First, the present research study focuses only on the supplier‐manufacturer link of the SC. Other links in the SC (manufacturer‐distributor, distributor‐retail outlet, and retail outlet‐customer) should be analyze...

A Study of the Value and Impact of Electronic Commerce: Electronic Versus Traditional Replenishment in Supply Chains

The area of electronic commerce (EC) is receiving a great deal of attention in academia and organizations. Many organizations are choosing to implement EC without regard to the positive or negative impact, or the potential it may have on the organization. Organizations implement EC without knowing the impact of EC on the organization. Supply chain management (SCM) is an application of EC; therefore, the impact of EC is seen throughout the supply chain (SC). This study determines the difference in value between electronic and traditional SCs and attempts to determine whether electronic systems are more effective than nonelectronic (traditional, manual) systems by analyzing customer-supplier relationships in SCs. Similar products are analyzed in pairs, one product using an electronic SC and one product using a nonelectronic SC. The empirical findings indicate that an electronic SC is more effective than a nonelectronic SC and improves the SC replenishment process in terms of: (a) lower inventory levels, (b) lower inventory carrying cost, (c) fewer stockouts, (d) shorter order cycles, (e) lower prices (costs), and (f) greater availability of products. These findings provide businesses with a measure to evaluate their EC systems and enable them to justify the investment (time and money) in EC systems.