Search results
11 – 20 of 51Ubiquitous computing and “big data” have been widely recognized as requiring new concepts of privacy and new mechanisms to protect it. While improved concepts of privacy have been…
Abstract
Purpose
Ubiquitous computing and “big data” have been widely recognized as requiring new concepts of privacy and new mechanisms to protect it. While improved concepts of privacy have been suggested, the paper aims to argue that people acting in full conformity to those privacy norms still can infringe the privacy of others in the context of ubiquitous computing and “big data”.
Design/methodology/approach
New threats to privacy are described. Helen Nissenbaum's concept of “privacy as contextual integrity” is reviewed concerning its capability to grasp these problems. The argument is based on the assumption that the technologies work, persons are fully informed and capable of deciding according to advanced privacy considerations.
Findings
Big data and ubiquitous computing enable privacy threats for persons whose data are only indirectly involved and even for persons about whom no data have been collected and processed. Those new problems are intrinsic to the functionality of these new technologies and need to be addressed on a social and political level. Furthermore, a concept of data minimization in terms of the quality of the data is proposed.
Originality/value
The use of personal data as a threat to the privacy of others is established. This new perspective is used to reassess and recontextualize Helen Nissenbaum's concept of privacy. Data minimization in terms of quality of data is proposed as a new concept.
Details
Keywords
Shreyashee Tripathi and Ramesh Kumar Chaturvedi
This study aims to identify causes of (un)ethical behaviour in research and how they influence adherence to research ethics.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to identify causes of (un)ethical behaviour in research and how they influence adherence to research ethics.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors developed and tested a conceptual model that includes mediation and helps to understand the mechanism of adherence to ethical standards of research based on the “social judgment theory” (SJT). In Study 1, the authors conducted an exploratory study using the exploratory factor analysis technique to identify factors responsible for adherence to research ethics. In Study 2, the authors used SJT to provide support for establishing a relationship between key variables.
Findings
Two factors, “Proclivity to Egoism” and “Proclivity to Emotivism”, were identified based on the personal beliefs of researchers. These factors were found to play an important role in determining the tendency towards adherence to standards of research ethics (Belmont Report and COPE). SJT successfully explains the mechanism of adoption of ethical standards. Adherence to Belmont principles was seen to mediate relationship between factors identified and tendency to adhere to COPE.
Originality/value
Majorly, this study is unique as it establishes and guides to incorporate researchers’ point of view in formulating ethical standards and guidelines, apart, from various other important theoretical and societal implications.
Details
Keywords
The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of some issues and controversies surrounding arguments for regulating cyberspace.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of some issues and controversies surrounding arguments for regulating cyberspace.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper begins with a brief investigation of some background questions such as “What is cyberspace?” and “What is meant by ‘regulation’?” It then considers some distinctions between descriptive and normative aspects of questions involving internet regulation. Next, the paper examines Lawrence Lessig's model, which describes four modes of regulation that can be applied to cyberspace. The paper then considers some recent controversies that have emerged because of “regulation by code” and the “privatization of information policy.”
Findings
Cyberspace regulation raises ethical concerns.
Research limitations/implications
Internet regulation is evolving.
Originality/value
The way cyberspace is viewed, either as a “place” or as a “medium,” affects how it will be regulated.
Details
Keywords
Information ethics, as is well known, has emerged as an independent area of ethical and philosophical inquiry. There are a number of academic journals that are devoted entirely to…
Abstract
Purpose
Information ethics, as is well known, has emerged as an independent area of ethical and philosophical inquiry. There are a number of academic journals that are devoted entirely to the numerous ethical issues that arise in connection with the new information communication technologies; these issues include a host of intellectual property, information privacy, and security issues of concern to librarians and other information professionals. In addition, there are a number of major international conferences devoted to information ethics every year. It would hardly be overstating the matter to say that information ethics is as “hot” an area of theoretical inquiry as medical ethics. The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview on these and related issues.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper presents a review of relevant information ethics literature together with the author's assessment of the arguments.
Findings
There are issues that are more abstract and basic than the substantive issues with which most information ethics theorizing is concerned. These issues are thought to be “foundational” in the sense that we cannot fully succeed in giving an analysis of the concrete problems of information ethics (e.g. are legal intellectual property rights justifiably protected?) until these issues are adequately addressed.
Originality/value
The paper offers a needed survey of foundational issues in information ethics.
Details
Keywords
Md. Abdul Momen, Seyama Sultana and A.K.M. Ahasanul Haque
Internet-based marketing communication has been an important element for organizations to build brand image and brand equity. Higher education is not an exception. However…
Abstract
Purpose
Internet-based marketing communication has been an important element for organizations to build brand image and brand equity. Higher education is not an exception. However, configuring the right mix in the age of social networking sites and various online displays and constantly changing algorithm in search engine optimization have become major challenges today. Hence, the purpose of this study is to configure integrated online marketing communication for the development of brand image and brand equity for higher educational institutions.
Design/methodology/approach
The study is quantitative in nature. A responsive group of 370 students was chosen from different educational institutions in Malaysia via stratified random sampling techniques. Both exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were used for interpreting the data. To test the derived hypotheses, structural equation modelling was used.
Findings
In line with contemporary literature, the study revealed positive relationships between brand image and brand equity, between search engine and brand image and between social media and brand image. The relationship between online display and brand image was not found significant.
Research limitations/implications
Future research can be done considering both online and conventional marketing communications for the same purpose. This approach can also be used for private and public institutions separately, considering their differences in nature.
Practical implications
Because history and tradition are no more a single tool to attain and retain the positive image and customer-based brand equity, this study can help higher educational institutions to configure integrated online communication for their target groups, such as students and industry, in the age of the internet.
Originality/value
This study generates a comprehensive understanding of the impact of Web-based marketing communication to develop brand image and brand equity of higher educational institutions.
Details
Keywords
Andra Gumbus and Frances Grodzinsky
Women as individuals experience subtle discrimination regarding career development opportunities as evidenced by research on the Glass Ceiling. This paper looks at the…
Abstract
Women as individuals experience subtle discrimination regarding career development opportunities as evidenced by research on the Glass Ceiling. This paper looks at the ramifications of technology, specifically the Internet, and how it affects women’s career opportunities.
Details
Keywords
This paper aims to examine the present status of the research field intercultural information ethics (IIE) including the foundational debate as well as specific issues.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to examine the present status of the research field intercultural information ethics (IIE) including the foundational debate as well as specific issues.
Design/methodology/approach
A critical overview of the recent literature of the field is given.
Findings
The present IIE debate focuses on a narrow view of the field leaving aside comparative studies with non‐digital media as well as with other epochs and cultures. There is an emphasis on the question of privacy but other issues such as online communities, governmentality, gender issues, mobile phones, health care and the digital divide are on the agenda.
Originality/value
The paper addresses basic issues of IIE that may open new vistas for research and practice in this field.
Details
Keywords
Linnea Hansson, Anton Wrangmo and Klaus Solberg Søilen
Social media has increased as a marketing channel, and Facebook is the biggest social media company globally. Facebook contains both positive and negative information about…
Abstract
Purpose
Social media has increased as a marketing channel, and Facebook is the biggest social media company globally. Facebook contains both positive and negative information about companies; therefore, it is important for companies to manage their Facebook page to best serve their own interests. Although most users are familiar with business and marketing activities on Facebook, they use it primarily for fun and personal purposes. The most effective methods for companies to use Facebook have not been clear. The personal nature of Facebook presents unique challenges for companies by raising ethical and social responsibility issues that are important to users. The purpose of this paper is to discover how companies can optimize their use of Facebook as a marketing channel.
Design/methodology/approach
A survey was conducted. The respondents were 158 users of Facebook in Sweden; complete answers were provided by all respondents. In a series of specific questions and comments, the respondents were asked to describe an optimal marketing solution on Facebook for companies. They rated different functions, which were illustrated with pictures, to help in the cognitive process and to avoid misunderstandings.
Findings
Most users who have an opinion on the issue accept marketing on Facebook, but only in the right amount. There are basically two groups: those who think that companies have no place on Facebook and those who want companies to be active on Facebook. The latter group emphasizes the importance of meaningful posts without unsolicited sales messages, and would prefer to search for the companies themselves rather than being bombarded by company messages. By far, status updates and pictures/images were found to be the most important functions to respondents.
Research limitations/implications
The sample consisted of only Swedish users. Another limitation was that, since many Facebook users do not normally think about the implications of being exposed to marketing on Facebook, they have difficulty taking a position on many issues related to the service.
Practical implications
The results give companies a clear idea of how to effectively use Facebook in their marketing efforts.
Originality/value
A large number of companies are currently asking themselves, “How can we use Facebook in an optimal way?” The results in this study answer this question and lead directly to saving time and resources for these companies.
Details
Keywords
The purpose of this paper is to investigate those factors that are associated with the adoption of social networking sites from the perspective of Muslim users residing in…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate those factors that are associated with the adoption of social networking sites from the perspective of Muslim users residing in Malaysia.
Design/methodology/approach
A complete self-administered questionnaire was collected from 223 Muslim users of social networking sites in Malaysia. Both exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were used to sort the significant items for the constructs and to check the validity. Structural equation modelling was applied in testing the hypotheses and the fitness of the proposed model.
Findings
The results of full structural model attest that technological and social factors are the most significant factors behind the adoption of social networking sites. However, this is followed by an educational factor. Among Muslim users in Malaysia, the study does not find significant influence of brand or product communication behind this adoption.
Originality/value
The paper investigates those factors that are considered inevitable in the adoption of social networking sites. Invaluable findings were offered in the form of a structural model for the stakeholders of social networking sties. These findings can be used in planning and making decisions that may benefit all parties associated with it.
Details
Keywords
Last year a survey was made from the bibliographical point of view of six trade fair catalogues, based on a visit to four international fairs. This year this survey has been…
Abstract
Last year a survey was made from the bibliographical point of view of six trade fair catalogues, based on a visit to four international fairs. This year this survey has been repeated on nine trade fair catalogues, B.I.F. London and Birmingham, Basle, Hanover, Milan, Paris, Brussels, Liege, Lyons, Utrecht, based on a visit to the first‐mentioned five trade fairs. In the original article it was stated that, owing to the large size of present‐day fairs, the catalogue is an indispensable means of information. The question was asked whether the catalogues provided the information the visitor wants in the shortest possible time. What can one fair learn from the catalogues of others, and in what way would the use in general be served? Compared with Table I of the original report it became evident that in the majority of cases the weight of the catalogues tends to increase still more. For instance, last year's Hanover trade fair catalogue had a weight of 28 oz. and has now increased to 39 oz. Only in the case of the Milan fair a real reduction was found, as this year only two parts were published, with a total weight of 60 oz., compared with a total weight of three parts of 79½ oz. last year. A slight weight reduction was also observed with the catalogues of the B.I.F. London.