Blockchain Use Case in Ballistics and Crime Gun Tracing and Intelligence: Toward Overcoming Gun Violence

2023 | ACM Transactions on Management Information Systems | Citations: 0

Authors: Akello, Patricia; Vemprala, Naga; Lang Beebe, Nicole; Raymond Choo, Kim-Kwang

Abstract: In the United States and around the world, gun violence has become a long-standi ... Expand

Abstract: In the United States and around the world, gun violence has become a long-standing public safety concern and a security threat, due to violent gun-related crimes, injuries, and fatalities. Although legislators and lawmakers have attempted to mitigate its threats through legislation, research on gun violence confirms the need for a comprehensive approach to gun violence prevention. This entails addressing the problem in as many ways as possible, such as through legislation, new technological advancements, re-engineering supply, and administrative protocols, among others. The research focuses on the technological, supply, and administrative aspects, in which we propose a manner of managing gun-related data efficiently from the point of manufacture/sale, as well as at points of transfers between secondary sellers for the improvement of criminal investigation processes. Making data more readily available with greater integrity will facilitate successful investigations and prosecutions of gun crimes. Currently, there is no single and uniform platform for firearm manufacturers, dealers, and other stakeholders involved in firearm sales, dissemination, management, and investigation. With the help of Blockchain technology, gun registry, ownership, transfers, and, most importantly, investigations, when crimes occur, can all be managed efficiently, breaking the cycle of gun violence. The identification of guns, gun tracing, and identification of gun owners/possessors rely on accuracy, integrity, and consistency in related systems to influence gun crime investigation processes. Blockchain technology, which uses a consensus-based approach to improve processes and transactions, is demonstrated in this study as a way to enhance these procedures. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to explore and demonstrate the utility of Blockchain for gun-related criminal investigations using a design science approach. Collapse

Topics: blockchain criminality smart contract Ethereum access control

Methods: design artifact design science design process case study simulation

Is it possible to establish the link between drug busts and the cryptocurrency market? Yes, we can

2023 | International Journal of Information Management | Citations: 1

Authors: Almaqableh, Laith; Wallace, Damien; Pereira, Vijay; Ramiah, Vikash; Wood, Geoffrey; Veron, Jose Francisco; Moosa, Imad; Watson, Alastair

Abstract: Following the rampant increase in Bitcoin prices, there has been a proliferation ... Expand

Abstract: Following the rampant increase in Bitcoin prices, there has been a proliferation of cryptocurrencies, which have become a major way of doing business across national boundaries. This paper investigates the link between cryptocurrency markets and drug trafficking activities. More specifically, we explore the impact of the announcement of 24 major drug busts on the systematic risk and return of the world cryptocurrency market. We deploy an event study methodology to estimate the abnormal returns associated with drug trafficking activities in the cryptocurrency market. We find that the relationship between the two is quite strong in the case of some cryptocurrencies, albeit weaker in others. However, we show that drug bust news tends to create uncertainty, and accordingly impart risk into cryptocurrency markets. This study confirms the predictions of convenience theories of crime as to the relative attractiveness of cryptocurrencies to criminals, and the extent to which not only general, but also their own future interests, sacrificed readily on the altar of accessibility. We highlight how when social and regulatory foundations are weak, criminal behaviour may overwhelm virtual spaces, margin­ alizing more orthodox businesses, no matter how altruistic the intentions of their founders. Collapse

Topics: cryptocurrency Bitcoin criminality price management Ethereum

Methods: event study longitudinal research robustness check literature study econometric modeling

Institutional pressures and RegTech challenges for banking: The case of money laundering and terrorist financing in Lebanon

2023 | Journal of Information Technology | Citations: 0

Authors: Bakhos Douaihy, Houanyda; Rowe, Frantz

Abstract: As banks face heightened levels of regulatory challenges, many of them, especial ... Expand

Abstract: As banks face heightened levels of regulatory challenges, many of them, especially those in developing countries, are struggling to maintain their reputations. This paper addresses the following questions: How do commercial banks in developing countries like Lebanon respond to institutional pressures for compliance concerning anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-financing of terrorism (CFT)? How do Regulatory Technology (RegTech) solutions contribute to solving their compliance problems in this domain and why may the potential of RegTech be limited in the Lebanese context? To answer these questions, we conducted a field study among Lebanese commercial banks and their vendors. Based on thematic analysis, findings reveal the importance of technology for enhancing compliance of Lebanese banks with international regulations, especially US ones, thereby avoiding sanctions. Thus, the adoption of RegTech is mainly due to coercive pressures, whereas the choice of RegTech solutions is highly dependent on mimetic and normative forces, and happens later. Results also show that manual processes are insufficient for compliance due to the huge number of regulations and transactions. Hence, RegTech for AML/CFT is notably adopted for the efficient screening of clients and monitoring of their transactions. These solutions enhance decision-making processes for compliance teams, which become effective when the banks ensure an adequate interaction between employees and the new technologies. However, RegTech presents several additional challenges that have to be overcome for effective compliance such as finding the right vendors and ensuring data quality. Moreover, the geopolitical context in developing countries like Lebanon limits the potential of RegTech for AML/CFT. Collapse

Topics: decision making terrorist incident criminality IS discipline electronic finance

Methods: qualitative interview field study qualitative content analysis literature study theoretical contribution

Theories: institutional theory technology acceptance theory

The Crisis in Local Newspapers and Organizational Wrongdoing: The Role of Community Social Connectedness

2023 | Organization Science | Citations: 0

Authors: Choi, Tony Jaehyun; Valente, Mike

Abstract: Drawing on institutional anomie theory, we examine how the crisis in local newsp ... Expand

Abstract: Drawing on institutional anomie theory, we examine how the crisis in local newspapers has induced organizational wrongdoings in local communities. We argue that, because local newspapers are the primary source of accountability journalism in local communities, their decline leads to an anomic state that increases the scale of organizational wrongdoing. We also investigate whether institutional complementarity helps overcome the anomic state: Due to functional similarity, community social connectedness compensates for the scarcity of local newspapers. Our analysis of U.S. metropolitan areas for the period of 2007–2015 reveals that the positive relationship between local newspaper scarcity and the scale of organizational wrongdoing is not present in all communities but does appear when a community lacks community social connectedness. We also find that this moderating role of community social connectedness is observed only for internal organizational wrongdoings that are less visible to the public than external ones. Collapse

Topics: digital news missing data decision making social capital database system

Methods: descriptive statistic statistical hypothesis test longitudinal research longitudinal data analysis hierarchical linear modeling

Theories: organizational behavior theory

Exploring the Darkverse: A Multi-Perspective Analysis of the Negative Societal Impacts of the Metaverse

2023 | Information Systems Frontiers | Citations: 0

Authors: Dwivedi, Yogesh K.; Kshetri, Nir; Hughes, Laurie; Rana, Nripendra P.; Baabdullah, Abdullah M.; Kar, Arpan Kumar; Koohang, Alex; Ribeiro-Navarrete, Samuel; Belei, Nina; Balakrishnan, Janarthanan; Basu, Sriparna; Behl, Abhishek; Davies, Gareth H.; Dutot, Vincent; Dwivedi, Rohita; Evans, Leighton; Felix, Reto; Foster-Fletcher, Richard; Giannakis, Mihalis; Gupta, Ashish; Hinsch, Chris; Jain, Animesh; Jane Patel, Nina; Jung, Timothy; Juneja, Satinder; Kamran, Qeis; Mohamed AB, Sanjar; Pandey, Neeraj; Papagiannidis, Savvas; Raman, Ramakrishnan; Rauschnabel, Philipp A.; Tak, Preeti; Taylor, Alexandra; tom Dieck, M. Claudia; Viglia, Giampaolo; Wang, Yichuan; Yan, Meiyi

Abstract: The Metaverse has the potential to form the next pervasive computing archetype t ... Expand

Abstract: The Metaverse has the potential to form the next pervasive computing archetype that can transform many aspects of work and life at a societal level. Despite the many forecasted benefits from the metaverse, its negative outcomes have remained relatively unexplored with the majority of views grounded on logical thoughts derived from prior data points linked with similar technologies, somewhat lacking academic and expert perspective. This study responds to the dark side perspectives through informed and multifaceted narratives provided by invited leading academics and experts from diverse disciplinary backgrounds. The metaverse dark side perspectives covered include: technological and consumer vulnerability, privacy, and diminished reality, human–computer interface, identity theft, invasive advertising, misinformation, propaganda, phishing, financial crimes, terrorist activities, abuse, pornography, social inclusion, mental health, sexual harassment and metaverse-triggered unintended consequences. The paper concludes with a synthesis of common themes, formulating propositions, and presenting implications for practice and policy. Collapse

Topics: virtual reality privacy unintended consequence artificial intelligence IT security

Methods: digital trace data computational algorithm design guideline synthesis ethnography

Information technology as a resource to counter domestic sex trafficking in the United States

2023 | Information Systems Journal | Citations: 2

Authors: Giddens, Laurie; Petter, Stacie; Fullilove, Michael H.

Abstract: Globally, millions of individuals are victims of sex trafficking and are compell ... Expand

Abstract: Globally, millions of individuals are victims of sex trafficking and are compelled to perform sexual acts through force, fraud, or coercion. Law enforcement agencies, non-profit organisations, and social entrepreneurs increasingly are using information technology as a resource to locate, identify, and rescue victims and find, arrest, and convict traffickers. In this qualitative case study, we partnered with a non-profit organisation that trains law enforcement officers to use information technology to counter sex trafficking. For this research study, we observed training courses, interviewed law enforcement officers and non-profit staff, and reviewed technology usage logs and other data sources. Some officers readily used the new information technology post-training, while others failed to use the new technology. Using conservation of resources theory as a sensitising lens, we identify two factors affecting the use of new technology post-training: the level of organisational resources available to individuals and the individual's perceptions of the new information technology as a resource. With these findings, we develop the Resources Model of Information Technology Use to explain how perceptions of organisational and technology resources affect information technology usage patterns and outcomes. Collapse

Topics: information system use system support societal evaluation criteria perceived usefulness information exchange

Methods: qualitative interview qualitative coding theory development case study personal interview

Theories: conservation of resources theory

Collateral Damage: The Relationship Between High-Salience Events and Variation in Racial Discrimination

2023 | Organization Science | Citations: 0

Authors: Gorbatai, Andreea; Younkin, Peter; Burtch, Gordon

Abstract: To what extent are individual or organizational biases affected by racially sali ... Expand

Abstract: To what extent are individual or organizational biases affected by racially salient events? We propose that acts of discrimination and the individual biases that undergird them are sensitive to high-salience events and will oscillate with the salience of the focal attribute. In short, that the propensity to discriminate reflects both individual and environmental differences, and therefore a given person may become more prone to discriminate in the aftermath of a high-salience event. We test our hypothesis in three online experiments that examine how varying the salience of race affects the evaluation of in-group or out-group founders. We find that respondents evaluate their in-group members more favorably, and out-group members less favorably, when exposed to a high-salience event, which translates into a significant disadvantage for the minority (African American) group. We complement these studies with an assessment of how police shootings affect fundraising outcomes on Kickstarter to confirm the external validity of our findings. Together, these studies indicate that racially salient events depress the quality evaluations and success odds of African American entrepreneurs relative to others. Hence, discrimination levels can be affected by salient yet unrelated events, and such events are consequential for the economic fortunes of individuals belonging to minority and disadvantaged groups.History: This paper has been accepted for the Organization Science Special Issue on Experiments in Organizational Theory.Supplemental Material: The online appendices are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/orsc.2021.1527. Collapse

Topics: crowdfunding crowdsourcing website criminality application programming interface

Methods: experiment parametric test statistical hypothesis test survey facial recognition system

Navigating an Interdisciplinary Approach to Cybercrime Research

2023 | HICSS | Citations: 0

Authors: Giddens, Laurie; Petter, Stacie; Bichler, Gisela; Rivas, Pablo; Fullilove, Michael H.; Cerny, Tomas

Abstract: The internet has created new markets and enabled alternative business models for ... Expand

Abstract: The internet has created new markets and enabled alternative business models for criminal activity, such as human trafficking. Consequently, research is needed to understand the complexity, occurrence, and impact of internet-enabled crime on victims and society. Many scholars have called for interdisciplinary approaches to study and develop interventions to address a broad range of cybercrimes, but this call is challenging to implement. Therefore, we provide a confessional account of our experience associated with developing an interdisciplinary research team and conducting research related to a specific form of cybercrime, predatory crime involving deceptive or covert solicitations. Our confessional account allows us to reflect on our project and discuss the challenges we have encountered along with a discussion of how we have addressed these challenges. We offer guidance to researchers in various stages of conducting interdisciplinary research based on our experiences with a specific form of cybercrime, internet-enabled crime. Collapse

Topics: computer crime internet technology criminality database system open access

Methods: machine learning natural language processing

When Do Firms Crack Under Pressure? Legal Professionals, Negative Role Models, and Organizational Misconduct

2023 | Organization Science | Citations: 0

Authors: Gonsalves, Leroy

Abstract: Strain theory has long been invoked to explain organizational misconduct, with u ... Expand

Abstract: Strain theory has long been invoked to explain organizational misconduct, with underperformance creating pressure for firms to engage in morally objectionable activities. In this paper, I examine whether underperformance increases the risk of organizational misconduct. Drawing on institutional arguments about professions and social learning, I further predict that when experiencing performance strain, legal professionals will push the boundaries of the law, increasing the risk of misconduct if they have influence over decision making. However, industry peers caught engaging in misconduct should serve as negative role models, reducing the risk of the firm resorting to misconduct to overcome performance shortfalls. I test and find support for these predictions using longitudinal data on material legal claims filed against S&P 1500 firms between 2000 and 2017. The study extends the strain theory of organizational misconduct, identifying how legal professionals and negative role models shape firms’ strategic responses to performance pressure. Collapse

Topics: social media Slack decision making database system missing data

Methods: longitudinal research descriptive statistic robustness check SEC EDGAR Compustat

Theories: general strain theory

To regulate or not to regulate: unravelling institutional tussles around the regulation of algorithmic control of digital platforms

2023 | Journal of Information Technology | Citations: 0

Authors: Kokshagina, Olga; Reinecke, Pauline C; Karanasios, Stan

Abstract: Regulating how digital platforms use algorithms to determine and control content ... Expand

Abstract: Regulating how digital platforms use algorithms to determine and control content displayed to their users is both a controversial topic and an important societal challenge. Existing research acknowledges institutional tussles around regulating how digital platforms use algorithms to determine and control content. However, we lack research showing how the development of regulation unfolds. We build on data from a longitudinal discourse analysis of 410 media articles and 483 policy and industry documents to study two cases of algorithmic control regulation in Australia. The first involves algorithmic control for content display, the second for content moderation. We develop a process model of institutional work towards regulation of algorithmic control. It captures the institutional tussles between governments, digital platforms and third parties as each expresses their perspective on legitimate forms of algorithmic control and shapes the process and outcome of regulation. Building on our model, we discuss the dynamics of regulation development in light of the constellation of actors and their power position in the process. We further consider the regulatory outcome and highlight future research questions that build on our findings. Collapse

Topics: digital platform terrorist incident Facebook innovation management database system

Methods: computational algorithm qualitative content analysis literature sample longitudinal research business process modeling