Category: Theoretical Papers

Theoretical Paper Title: An information security knowledge sharing model in organizations

Authors: Nader Sohrabi Safa, Rossouw Von Solms

Theoretical Paper Link: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378720617303300?via%3Dihub

 Summary:

The article describes how sharing knowledge about information security in organizations reduce the risk of information security occurrences. The study took in consideration the Theory of Planned Behavior, The Motivation Theory and Triandis’ model as the background of the study. The study relates between the motivation and information security sharing attitudes. The study collect data from several organizations in Malaysia with different type of work through paper based questionnaire and electronic questionnaire. The complete answered sample was 482 questionnaires.

Studying behavior of participants in several areas related to the information security sharing is not easy. The study results show a very clear relationship between sharing security information and reducing the risk of security as the more employees know about the information security and cases happened with their colleagues, they will be more aware and will reduce the risk of repeating the same issues.

Presently we can state the data security information sharing, data security coordinated effort, and agreeing to data security authoritative arrangements and methods are hierarchical parts of data security that ought to be taken into the thought by the two academic and professionals (Safa & Von Solms, 2016).

Quality of the Research:

The research question and objective is clearly stated as the information security is a critical issue for current organizations. The research is interesting and very important.  The study is original in the way to tackle the employee’s behavior in sharing information security knowledge. The background of the research is clear and relevant and discussed in details. No ethical problems noted.

The Research Method:

The research summarizes the research methods used which are Interviews with the experts, Data collection through questionnaires and apply structural equation modeling. The research method seemed appropriate for the research question but the sample could be bigger to cover more industries and got more accurate results. The methodology adequately described. The analyses done correctly using Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) which will confirm the data consistency.  The conclusion supported by the data in Table 2 the authors summarize Respondents’ characteristics and in Table 3 full items and their descriptive statistics.

Quality of Presentation:

The study is well presented and well structured. All the symbols, terms, and concepts adequately defined. Additional tables with figures could help to clarify the work as the included figures are statistics oriented.

Additional Notes:

The authors of the research had covered a very important issue about sharing information security knowledge will help organizations reduce security risks and save money. The article had many references to support their research.

References:

Safa, N. S., & Von Solms, R. (2016). An information security knowledge sharing model in organizations. Computers in Human Behavior, 57, 442-451. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2015.12.037

Theoretical Paper Title: A comprehensive framework if information system design to provide organizational creativity support

Authors: Celina M. Olszak, Tomasz Bartus, Pawel Lorek

Theoretical Paper Link: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378720617303300?via%3Dihub

 Summary:

The paper is about the information system design related to the organizational creativity. It based the study to answer two questions, one what is the essence of organizational creativity and its It-based support? Two How to use the resource based view and a multiagent approach for the design of information systems for organizational creativity support? (Olszak, Bartus, & Lorek, 2017).

The authors list all related works and literature review in the mentioned topic and how their framework consist of 6 stages:

• “Problem finding and identification of major creative needs of organization.
• Acquiring information resources.
• Information analysis, knowledge discovery, providing some suggestions concerning innovative ideas.
• Evaluating and selecting discovered knowledge.
• Communicating newly discovered knowledge in an organization and considering whether the new knowledge should be transformed into innovation; and
• Evolving creative knowledge in an organization and organizational learning. (Olszak, Bartus, & Lorek, 2017)”

The authors describe each stage of their framework and how it related to the creativity in organizations. The authors mentioned that this study is new and give a good start about having new framework to study the organization creativity related to information systems.

Quality of the Research:

The questions of the research and objective of the research are clearly stated. The questions of the research are very interesting and important. The research is original being the first research create an understanding and framework to make the study. The background of the research is clear and relevant.

The Research Method:

The paper summarized the research method used very clearly which are theoretical, methodological and empirical foundation. The research method seems appropriate for the research questions. All the used methods adequately described. The analysis done correctly and it sets the framework for future research. There is no numeric data provided as the research is theoretical and set the framework and bases for future research.

Quality of Presentation:

The research is well presented and well-structured with very good sequence. All symbols terms and concepts adequately defined specially the research methods used.

Additional Notes:

The research is very good source of information and includes some very good references.

References:

Olszak, C. M., Bartus, T., & Lorek, P. (2017). A comprehensive framework of information system design to provide organizational creativity support. Information & Management. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.im.2017.04.004