Title: Cross-cultural investigation of the security knowledge process

Authors: Dong-Heon Kwak; Donna McAlister Kizzier; Hangjung Zo; Euisung Jung

Addresses: Department of Management Information Systems, Lubar School of Business, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 3202 N. Maryland Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53211, USA. ' Department of Information Systems, College of Business and Public Affairs, Morehead State University, 150 University Blvd, Morehead, KY 40351, USA. ' Department of Management Science, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, 291 Daehak-ro (373-1 Guseong-dong), Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, Republic of Korea. ' Department of Management Information Systems, Lubar School of Business, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, 3202 N. Maryland Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53211, USA

Abstract: Security knowledge is a critical component for computer end users to cope with and ameliorate security threats. Drawing upon learning theory and innovation diffusion theory, this study examines individuals' security knowledge process, focusing on spyware. In addition, a moderating effect of culture is examined in security knowledge process between the USA and Republic of Korea. The results indicate that spyware awareness is an intermediary between security familiarity and spyware knowledge, and there is a moderating cultural effect between spyware awareness and spyware knowledge. This study highlights the importance of learning procedures and cultural effects in the security knowledge context.

Keywords: security knowledge; spyware awareness; security familiarity; culture; security threats; learning theory; innovation diffusion theory; USA; United States; Republic of Korea; spyware knowledge; cross-cultural investigation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBIS.2012.046678

International Journal of Business Information Systems, 2012 Vol.10 No.1, pp.1 - 19

Published online: 16 Aug 2014 *

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