Human factors in information leakage: mitigation strategies for information sharing integrity

Wong, Wai Peng; Tan, Hwee Chin; Tan, Kim Hua; Tseng, Ming-Lang

Abstract

Structured Abstract Purpose-The purpose of this paper is to explore the human factors triggering information leakage and investigate how companies mitigate insider threat for information sharing integrity. Design/methodology/approach-The methodology employed is multiple case studies approach with in-depth interviews with five Multinational Enterprises/Multinational Corporations. Findings-The findings reveal that information leakage can be approached with human governance mechanism such as organizational ethical climate and information security culture. Besides, higher frequency of leakages negatively affects information sharing integrity. Moreover, this paper also contributes to a research framework which could be a guide to overcome information leakage issue in information sharing. Research limitations/implications-The current study involved MNC/MNEs operating in Malaysia while companies in other countries may have different ethical climate and information sharing culture. Thus, for future research, it will be good to replicate the study in a larger geographic region to verify the findings and insights of this research. Practical implications-This research contributes to the industry and business that are striving towards solving the mounting problem of information leakage by raising awareness of human factors and to take appropriate mitigating governance strategies to preempt information leakage. This paper also contributes to a novel theoretical model that characterizes the iniquities of humans in sharing information, and suggests measures which could be a guide to avert disruptive leakages. Originality/value-This paper is likely an unprecedented research in moulding human governance in the domain of information sharing and its Achilles' heel which is information leakage.

Citation

Wong, W. P., Tan, H. C., Tan, K. H., & Tseng, M.-L. (2019). Human factors in information leakage: mitigation strategies for information sharing integrity. Industrial Management and Data Systems, 119(6), 1242-1267. https://doi.org/10.1108/imds-12-2018-0546

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Apr 7, 2019
• Online Publication Date: Jun 27, 2019
• Publication Date: Jul 8, 2019
• Deposit Date: Apr 29, 2019
• Publicly Available Date: May 13, 2019
• Journal: Industrial Management & Data Systems
• Print ISSN: 0263-5577
• Publisher: Emerald
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 119
• Issue: 6
• Pages: 1242-1267
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/imds-12-2018-0546
• Keywords: information leakage; organizational ethical climate; information security culture; information sharing; human governance
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1848607
• Publisher URL: https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/IMDS-12-2018-0546/full/html
• Contract Date: Apr 29, 2019