Organizational Control Policy, Information Security Deviance, and Moderating Effect of Power Distance Orientation

Abstract

Researchers generally believe that organizational control can deter employees' information security deviant behaviors. However, these relationships are not always observed. Based on the cognitive appraisal theory, this study extends the content domain of information security research by examining the moderating effect of power distance orientation, a kind of cultural value, on these relationships. In the results, first, the severity of penalty and the certainty of detection decreases employees' computer abuse. Second, employee power distance orientation moderates the relationships of the severity of penalty with employee computer abuse, such that the negative relationships are stronger for employees with higher power distance orientation. The findings suggest the deterrent function of cultural values employees hold in organizational behavior.