Home Articles Abstract
Research Article

A Study on the Relationships among Factors Influencing Information Ethics Practice Intention of Information System Personnel

Lee, Sangbae, Kim, Yonggyeom, Kim, Inho



Published: January 2004 · Vol. 33, No. 2 · pp. 375-422
Full Text

Abstract

The framework of ethical decision-making processes can influence key reasoning processes, including information processing. This study was conducted under the premise that understanding such fundamental frameworks can contribute to making business organizations more ethical and efficient. To this end, a research model and hypotheses related to a series of factors and pathways influencing information ethics practice intention were established based on the theory of planned behavior from social psychology and the technology acceptance model from information technology, and analyzed using LISREL (8.2) and SPSS/WIN (10.0). The hypothesis testing results are summarized as follows. First, among the three pathways in the theory of planned behavior model—from belief systems through preferences to intention—two pathways were significant: practical belief system → attitude toward practice → information ethics practice intention, and control belief system → perceived practical control → information ethics practice intention. Meanwhile, the pathway from perceived practical control to subjective norms and organizational ethical climate was significant, but the pathway from subjective norms and organizational ethical climate to information ethics practice intention was not significant. However, this can be considered a result that is somewhat consistent with findings from various applied studies on the theory of planned behavior. Second, among the key pathways of the technology acceptance model, the pathways from control belief system → attitude toward practice and from practical belief system → information ethics practice intention were significant. Third, ego strength was found to have a significant influence on information ethics practice intention through its interaction with perceived practical control.
Keywords: Ethical Decision Making Information EthicsIS PersonnelTAMTechnology Acceptance ModelTheory of Planned BehaviorTPB