Computer use ethics among university students and staffs

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to investigate the extent to which individual characteristics, which are gender, religious (Islamic) work value, and organization level (students and staff), are related to attitudes toward computer use ethics. This investigation is conducted in an academic setting in Malaysia, among those subscribing to the same religious value.Design/methodology/approachThe research used a cross‐sectional survey approach in an attempt to achieve the objective. A total of 550 responses were collected from academic staff and students in an institution of higher learning in Malaysia. Respondents were given several scenarios of ethical behavior to rate their attitudinal directions in computer work ethic. Their perceptions would indicate whether they are inclined towards ethical or unethical types of computer use behaviors based on the action in the scenarios.FindingsThe findings indicate that individual characteristics consisting of individuals’ value for Islamic work ethics and level in the organizational hierarchy are linked to attitudes toward ethical computer use. However, there was no support to suggest that attitudes toward ethical computer use are related to gender.Research limitations/implicationsThis exploratory study may spark more investigation into the area of computer ethics, which is in need of more research. This study also contributes significantly in confirming findings in similar research on individual characteristics and ethics in computer use, and in providing a methodological approach for measuring the construct of ethical computer use attitude and personal ethical work values by using behavioral scenario measures.Practical implicationsThis research should contribute significantly in the area of Business Ethics and Management Information Systems courses for both undergraduate and postgraduate business programs. The fact that individual characteristics contribute significantly in the ethical use of computers may lead to better insights into computer misuse and allow better preventive measures to be taken by organizations through Ethics and Management Information Systems curricula in business education.Originality/valueThe research provides a unique perspective of computer use ethics, which is not much covered in the literature. The measurement produced can be used as a research tool for more exploratory and explanatory research in computer use ethics, and as an evaluative tool for organizations in hiring the right personnel and providing training and motivation for more productive and ethical employees.