Transformational Leadership and Employees’ Information Security Performance: The Mediating Role of Motivation and Climate

2014 | International Conference on Information Systems | Citations: 0

Authors: Lebek, Benedikt; Guhr, Nadine; Breitner, Michael H

Abstract: The importance of organizational information security is constantly increasing. ... Expand

Abstract: The importance of organizational information security is constantly increasing. Next to technical information security measures, research has incorporated multidisciplinary behavioral theories in order to explain employees’ information security awareness and behavior. While focusing on employees as the weakest link in the information security chain, the role of leadership has been considered less. To address this gap, the purpose of this explorative study is to investigate how transformational leadership can influence employees’ information security performance. A research model is developed that is empirically tested by means of structural equation modeling (SEM) with data collected from 208 employees across different industries. Our results indicate a significant influence of transformational leadership on employees’ information security participation. Moreover, our study reveals that transformational leaders are able to form a positive organizational climate towards information security and thereby (indirectly) enhance employees’ motivation. Drawing from our findings, implications for practitioners and future IS research are derived. Collapse

Topics: data security intrinsic motivation security policy cybersecurity behavior behavioral intention

Methods: survey PLS tool partial least squares path modeling structural equation modeling partial least squares regression

Theories: deterrence theory technology acceptance model behavioral theory expectancy valence theory