Al Zaidi, Mazin M. (2017) Cyber security behavioural intentions for trade secret protection. PhD thesis, University of Warwick.

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Abstract

Trade secrets have become an important aspect of competitive advantage for new and established businesses in the new digital economy. This is particularly true in corporate venturing, where most corporates rely on new entrepreneurial ventures with creative ideas to drive innovation and fuel growth. In this manner, these corporates run corporate venturing units such as corporate accelerators to support entrepreneurs creating new ventures. During the accelerated pace of venturing, trade secrets become the core intangible asset that requires protection for any new venture. Yet, people remain the weakest link in the cyber security chain and that requires more understanding to enhance cyber security protection.

A new approach was suggested in this study to explore the protection of trade secrets through the confidentiality of information, the ownership of intellectual property and the secrecy of commercial secrets. This study developed a conceptual model to explore cyber security behaviour for trade secret protection within corporate accelerators. Well-established theories were adopted to develop the research conceptual model for trade secret protection, integrating the protection motivation theory (PMT), social bond theory (SBT) and the concept of psychological ownership.

This study began with a comprehensive up-to-date systematic literature review in the field of cyber security behavioural intentions over the past decade. The top 10 journals in the field of cyber security behaviour were reviewed and 46 publications that used 35 behaviour theories were identified. A concept matrix based on a concept-centric approach was applied to present the behavioural theories used in the relevant literature. By analysing the relevant literature results, the key cyber security behaviour elements were identified and illustrated via a concept map and matrix. Based on the output of the literature review analysis, valuable findings and insights were presented.

This study investigates entrepreneurs’ cyber security behavioural intentions to protect trade secrets in agile dynamic corporate environments. The research design adopted a hypothetico-deductive approach using a quantitative survey for empirical data collection. To evaluate the conceptual model, a partial least squares method of structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) analysis was used. This involved validity and reliability assessments, in addition to hypotheses testing. The research results found statistically significant relationships for severity, vulnerability, response efficacy, response cost, involvement and personal norms in relation to cyber security behavioural intentions to protect trade secrets.

Item Type:	Thesis or Dissertation (PhD)
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor Q Science > QA Mathematics > QA76 Electronic computers. Computer science. Computer software
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Trade secrets, Computer security, Business enterprises -- Security measures, Human-computer interaction, Human behavior
Official Date:	September 2017
Dates:	Date Event September 2017 Submitted
Institution:	University of Warwick
Theses Department:	Warwick Manufacturing Group
Thesis Type:	PhD
Publication Status:	Unpublished
Supervisor(s)/Advisor:	Hine, Duncan
Format of File:	pdf
Extent:	xiii, 200 leaves : illustrations, charts
Language:	eng

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