A framework for ethical information security.
- Authors: Trompeter, Colette
- Date: 2008-05-06T10:10:35Z
- Subjects: computer security , data protection , information technology , business ethics
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:6742 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/314
- Description: Organisations are under constant pressure to comply with information security requirements. However, this seldom happens. Information security is like a patchwork quilt - the protection it provides is only as good as its weakest stitch. The electronic business revolution has compounded this situation, as millions of dollars are being tossed about, and rules and regulations have yet to be written. Another problem is that information has to be protected over a geographically dispersed network. It stands to reason then that instances of unethical, even criminal, behaviour are growing exponentially. The principal aim of this research was to consider information security from an ethical perspective. Information security has been a well researched topic for several years. Therefore an investigation was carried out as to whether information security conforms to what individuals and organisations deem as being morally and behaviourally correct. An investigation was carried out into the age-old philosophy of ethically correct behaviour. This was then applied to information security and three ethical information security controls were identified that could provide protection in this e-business environment. A framework was developed to illustrate how a “pillar of strength” can be established in organisations to create an awareness of ethically correct behaviour in securing information. This framework was applied to recently accepted information security standards to test their applicability to the creation of ethical awareness. The research concludes by determining the ability of organisations to adhere to ethically correct behavioural patterns in information security. , Prof. J.H.P. Eloff
- Full Text:
Induction as a tool to institutionalise organisational ethics.
- Authors: Malatji, Freda
- Date: 2008-04-23T13:03:16Z
- Subjects: business ethics
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:8604 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/288
- Description: Ethics is becoming important in organisations today as organisations strive to create strong ethics cultures. There are different ways in which ethics can be conveyed to employees. This dissertation was aimed at establishing whether induction is an appropriate vehicle to convey organisational ethics to employees, and if so, how it could ideally be utilised. To seek an answer to the research question posed above, a literature study that explored the themes of business ethics and induction was firstly conducted. Thereafter, from a qualitative research paradigm, personal, in-depth interviews were conducted with human resources managers, line managers and new employees who attended a company’s induction programme. The responses were coded, analysed and significant themes were extracted. It was found that induction is indeed a useful vehicle to contribute to the institutionalisation of organisational ethics. Induction should, however, be used in conjunction with other interventions should the organisation aspire to creating an ethics culture over time. Implications of the findings for managerial tertiary education were indicated. Recommendations for further research into the topic were also presented. , Prof. L.J. Van Vuuren
- Full Text:
Institutionalising ethics in organisations.
- Authors: Goosen, Xenia
- Date: 2007-10-23T08:55:57Z
- Subjects: mentoring in business , business ethics
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:6312 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/105
- Description: The phenomenon exists that organisations do not do much to ensure the institutionalisation of business ethics in general, and more specifically, the ethical behaviour of their employees. The possibility that mentoring may act as a vehicle to institutionalise corporate ethical practices was proposed as a possible solution to the aforementioned problem. This possibility was formulated in the form of a research question. A literature study on mentoring and ethics was applied as theoretical foundation to this research. The aim of this part of the study was to answe r the first six research sub-questions related to mentoring and ethics. A qualitative study followed to answer the remaining sub-questions , namely whether organisations do make use of mentoring as a tool to institutionalise ethical behaviour; to establish how organisations make use of mentoring to institutionalise ethical behaviour; and whether mentoring is a suitable vehicle to institutionalise corporate ethical practices. From this study, it became evident that organisations do implement mentoring to a certain extent, but do not formally use mentoring as a tool to convey ethical messages. This study revealed that mentors transfer ethical messages on an informal basis, although the organisation does not expect them to do so. Further, no previous research could be found on the role of mentoring in the institutionalisation of business ethics. All participants of this study agreed that mentoring would be suitable as vehicle to institutionalise corporate ethical principles. This process needs to be formalised and integrated. An integrated model of mentoring in the institutionalisation of business ethics was generated which highlights the compatibility of these two processes. This model could be a handy tool firstly for designers of mentoring programmes, secondly for organisations implementing mentoring programmes and finally for tertiary institutions that train managers. , Prof. LJ Van Vuuren
- Full Text: