scholarly journals Snowden’s revelations and the attitudes of students at Swedish universities

2017 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 247-264 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iordanis Kavathatzopoulos ◽  
Ryoko Asai ◽  
Andrew A. Adams ◽  
Kiyoshi Murata
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Computer Software ◽  
International Study ◽  
Free Text ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Whistle Blowing ◽  
Software Companies ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Students Attitudes ◽  
High Level

Purpose This study aims to map Swedish students’ attitudes towards Snowden’s revelations and their effects in the political and socio-cultural environment of Sweden. Design/methodology/approach A questionnaire was answered by 190 Swedish university students. The quantitative responses to the survey and qualitative considerations of free text answers were statistically analysed. Findings Swedish students had a high level of knowledge about the Snowden revelations; they actively searched for information, gave a positive judgement of Snowden’s actions and were willing to follow his example in Sweden, although not in the USA. They trusted their country and most of its institutions and authorities except for secret service agencies and the internet and computer software companies. Practical implications This study could be used as a design of education for university students, especially in information technology programmes. Social implications The study can be used for developing and applying policies on privacy, surveillance and whistle-blowing. Originality/value This study is part of a bigger international study to map students’ attitudes towards Snowden’s revelations and their opinions about privacy, surveillance and whistle-blowing opening up for cross-cultural analyses.

scholarly journals Following Snowden, German uncertainty about monitoring

2017 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 232-246 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew A. Adams ◽  
Sarah Hosell ◽  
Kiyoshi Murata
Keyword(s):  
Social Impact ◽  
International Study ◽  
Free Text ◽  
Privacy And Security ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Study Results ◽  
State Surveillance ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Students Attitudes ◽  
The Right

Purpose As part of an international study of knowledge of and attitudes to Snowden’s revelations about the activities of the National Security Agency/Government Communications Headquarters, this paper aims to deal with Germany, taking its socio-cultural and political environment surrounding privacy and state surveillance into account. Design/methodology/approach A questionnaire was answered by 76 German University students. The quantitative responses to the survey were statistically analysed as well as qualitative considerations of free text answers. Findings Snowden’s revelations have had an important influence over German students’ attitudes toward privacy and state surveillance, and show concerns over the privacy risks associated with Internet activity. Practical implications The study results imply a need to build a collective awareness of the importance of the right to privacy and its responsibilities, the available technological options for individuals to exert their own privacy and security and the democratic means to agree and enforce appropriate legal restrictions on state surveillance. Social implications Young Germans support Snowden’s actions and would be more willing to emulate him in Germany than in the USA. While many believe that people must give up some privacy and freedom for security, few seem to believe that current US or German approaches are valid and justified. Originality/value This study is the first attempt to investigate the social impact of Snowden’s revelations on German students’ attitudes toward privacy and state surveillance as part of cross-cultural analyses between eight countries.

scholarly journals Do mistakes acceptance foster innovation? Polish and US cross-country study of tacit knowledge sharing in IT

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wioleta Kucharska
Keyword(s):  
Critical Thinking ◽  
Tacit Knowledge ◽  
Risk Taking ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Learning Climate ◽  
It Industry ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Usa ◽  
High Level

Purpose This study aims to understand and compare how the mechanism of innovative processes in the information technology (IT) industry – the most innovative industry worldwide – is shaped in Poland and the USA in terms of tacit knowledge awareness and sharing driven by a culture of knowledge and learning, composed of a learning climate and mistake acceptance. Design/methodology/approach Study samples were drawn from the IT industry in Poland (n = 350) and the USA (n = 370) and analyzed using the structural equation modeling method. Findings True learning derives from mistake acceptance. As a result of a risk-taking attitude and critical thinking, the IT industry in the USA is consistently innovation-oriented. Specifically, external innovations are highly correlated with internal innovations. Moreover, a knowledge culture supports a learning culture via a learning climate. A learning climate is an important facilitator for learning from mistakes. Originality/value This study revealed that a high level of mistake acceptance stimulates a risk-taking attitude that offers a high level of tacit knowledge awareness as a result of critical thinking, but critical thinking without readiness to take a risk is useless for tacit knowledge capturing.

Cybersecurity behaviour of smartphone users in India: an empirical analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 293-318 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pintu Shah ◽  
Anuja Agarwal
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Mother Tongue ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Security Threats ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Computing Device ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Security Controls ◽  
The Usa ◽  
High Level

Purpose For a good number of Indians, their smartphone is their first digital computing device. They have less experience in dealing with the Internet-enabled device and hence less experience in handling security threats like malware as compared to users of other countries who have gone through the learning curve of handling such security threats using other Internet-enabled devices such as laptop and desktop. Because of this, the inexperienced Indian smartphone user may be vulnerable to Internet-related security breaches, as compared to the citizens of developed economies. Hence, it is essential to understand the attitude, behaviour and security practices of smartphone users in India. Limited research is available about the security behaviour of smartphone users in India as the majority of research in this domain is done outside India. Design/methodology/approach In this empirical study, the researchers identified 28 cybersecurity behaviours and practices through a survey of relevant literature. An online survey of identified cybersecurity behaviours and practices was administered to 300 smartphone users. Frequency analysis of the respondent data was done to understand the adoption of recommended cybersecurity behaviours and practices. Pearson’s chi-square with 5% level of significance has been used to test the hypotheses. Post hoc analysis with Bonferroni correction was conducted for statistically significant associations. Findings Overall, the respondents did not exhibit good cybersecurity behaviour. Respondents have adopted some of the most popular security features of the smartphone such as the use of screen lock. However, respondents have not adopted or are not aware of the technical security controls such as encryption and remote wipe. Statistically significant differences were found between the cybersecurity behaviour and practices and independent variables such as gender, age, mobile operating system (OS) and mother tongue. Respondents reported high level of motivation to protect their device and data, whereas they reported moderate level of threat awareness and the ability to protect to their device and data. Results of the comparative analysis with a similar study in China and the USA are also reported in this study. Research limitations/implications The main limitations of this study are as follows: the respondents' perceptions about their cybersecurity behaviours and practices were measured as opposed to their actual behaviours and practices and the generalizability of the study is limited because the sample size is small as compared to the total number of smartphone users in India. Practical implications The findings of this study may be useful for the design of effective cybersecurity prevention and intervention programs for general smartphone users of India. Originality/value This study provides an insight about cybersecurity behaviour of smartphone users in India. To the knowledge of the researchers, this is the first study to collect such quantitative data of smartphone users in India for a better understanding of the cybersecurity behaviours and practices. This study identified 28 cybersecurity behaviours and practices, which smartphone users should follow to improve cybersecurity.

Citizen Chen: a challenging test for bilateral diplomacy

2013 ◽  
Vol 3 (5) ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Barthélémy Michalon
Keyword(s):  
Legal Aspects ◽  
Subject Area ◽  
Chinese Government ◽  
Specific Situation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Us ◽  
The Usa ◽  
High Level

Subject area Diplomatic and consular policies; legal aspects of international relations and Asia regional scenario. Study level/applicability Undergraduate. Case overview In April 2012, high-level officials from China and the USA were about to meet in Beijing in the framework of the bilateral Strategic and Economic Dialogue, organized on a yearly basis. The event was always delicate, due to the ambiguous relationship existing between the two countries, which were at the same time rivals and dependent on one another. That time, the tension previous to the meeting increased significantly: a Chinese human rights activist had just sought and obtained diplomatic protection in the US Embassy in Beijing, thus creating an embarrassing situation for both States' foreign departments […] How could they possibly solve this contentious issue without affecting their already sensitive relationship? Expected learning outcomes Analytical: to be aware of the political nature of the current Chinese Government; to realize the concrete and practical implications of an Embassy's special status; to balance two contradictory objectives, in a specific situation where none of them can be fully discarded; to contrast and try to combine long-term goals (in this case, to maintain a functioning relationship between two main world powers) with short-term objectives (in this case, how to deal with a Chinese activist that required protection against his own country's security forces); to find a modus vivendi (conciliation) between values and interests; to get convinced that certain kinds of negotiations cannot be conceived through a “win or lose” approach: in this case, the only way out must be respectful of the two parties' core interests; and to take into account that image preservation (“face-saving”) must be included within any country's objectives in any situation involving diplomatic means. Conceptual: the purpose is to familiarize the students with specific concepts, such as: best alternative to a negotiated agreement (BATNA), which is to be mentioned as part of the discussion (it is not included in the case study itself); interdependence; (purported) Group of Two; asylum and refuge; Immunity; and sending state/receiving state. Supplementary materials Teaching notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email [email protected] to request teaching notes.

scholarly journals CMHTs for older people: team managers’ views surveyed

2014 ◽  
Vol 22 (5/6) ◽  
pp. 208-219 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michele Abendstern ◽  
Christian Brand ◽  
Val Harrington ◽  
Rowan Jasper ◽  
Sue Tucker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Social Care ◽  
Free Text ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Open Questions ◽  
Key Issues ◽  
Text Information ◽  
High Level

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to identify features of community mental health teams (CMHTs) for older people valued by their managers, and those they would most like to change. Design/methodology/approach – Content analysis was used to analyse “free text” responses to open questions from a national survey about CMHTs’ organisational structures and processes. Responses were sorted into statements which were categorised into content areas and higher level dimensions. Findings – Free text information was provided by 376 teams (an 88 per cent response rate). Eight higher level dimensions were identified. One related specifically to integration with social care services, whilst several more included material about other aspects of intra-team integration (e.g. documentation and location). The largest proportion of statements related to staffing and teamwork. Statements about inter-personal and inter-professional issues were largely positive, whilst statements about resources, bureaucracy and integration with social care services typically detailed desired changes. Practical implications – Four key issues emerged comprising a high level of support from managers to develop integrated practices; a need to define the focus of CMHTs for older people and to be fully resourced; and the importance of a nurturing and supportive team environment. Originality/value – The methodology provides a bridge between qualitative and quantitative research, exploring the volume of statements on particular topics and their meaning.

Do we know what they know? Comparing US and French undergraduate students’ knowledge of core business concepts

2015 ◽  
Vol 34 (8) ◽  
pp. 922-940 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Kate Naatus ◽  
Katia Passerini ◽  
Kevin Pon ◽  
Mark Somers
Keyword(s):  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Computer Software ◽  
Undergraduate Level ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Core Business ◽  
Undergraduate Studies ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Mind Maps ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Business And Management

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to compare knowledge of business concepts acquired at the end of undergraduate studies of management in France and the USA. Design/methodology/approach – Mind maps were used to examine what knowledge students retained toward the end of their undergraduate studies in business and management. Data were collected from two groups of students, one in France and one in the USA and they analyzed on computer software. Findings – The results indicate that the learning process may be influenced not only by the structure and content of the program but also by the environment in which such content is assimilated. This study provides examples of how culture can influence the way we learn and represent core business knowledge. Research limitations/implications – The research was based on a number of undergraduate students and cannot therefore be generalized to other subjects or other levels of studies at the present time. Originality/value – The paper moves away from traditional manners of collecting data through questionnaires and surveys in order to study the impact of management education and what students learn at undergraduate level.

E-book reading among Spanish university students

2014 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 473-492 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Pinto ◽  
Cristina Pouliot ◽  
José Antonio Cordón-García
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Research Tool ◽  
Academic Disciplines ◽  
Book Reading ◽  
Reading Habits ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Reading Frequency ◽  
Print Books ◽  
Students Attitudes ◽  
The University

Purpose – This paper aims to show data about Spanish higher-education students’ usage, habits and perceptions regarding reading on new digital media to show the potential future of electronic books (e-books) and reading mobile devices (e-readers, tablets, cell phones, etc) in academia. It explores whether demographics and academic factors might influence e-book reading habits and attitudes and university students’ opinions about e-books vs print books. REWIL 2.0, a purpose-built research tool, was applied to measure students’ opinions about digital reading in different media and formats, considering their academic context, at the confluence of analog and digital materials and learning. Likewise, REWIL 2.0 detects who are e-book readers (eBR) and who are not and produces a statistics indicator to identify five categories of eBRs by their frequency of e-book reading. This research gathered 745 online surveys between April and July 2010 in 15 degree programs at the University of Granada: Spanish philology, English philology, history, mathematics, chemistry, environmental sciences, education, library and information science, law, medicine, biology, dentistry, computer systems, architecture and civil engineering. Design/methodology/approach – This present study is a transversal applied research, where 745 students were surveyed from 15 different academic disciplines offered at the University of Granada (Spain), representing the five main discipline areas. The survey was carried out by means of a structured online survey, with REWIL 2.0 research tool. To ensure internal consistency of correlation between two different survey items designed to measure e-book reading frequency, Pearson’s r reliability test was applied. Likewise, Persons’ chi-squared statistics were applied to test the hypotheses and to detect if significant correlation existed between academic disciplines and e-book reading frequency measured through a Likert scale. Findings – The present research is motivated by our interest in discovering what effect the current technological maelstrom and the rapid growth of new portable digital reading devices in the Spanish university environment are having on students’ lives, and the extent to which students have adopted new reading technologies. Their first aim is to establish who is reading e-books in the University? A second aim is to answer the following question: is the academic discipline a determinant factor in e-book reading habits and students’ attitudes about it? The authors began by considering the following hypotheses: University students’ attitudes to e-book reading and the way they use them will be determined by the scientific discipline they study. Students of humanities, social sciences and law will prefer to read traditional format books (printed paper), while students of experimental sciences, health and technical courses will prefer reading e-books. Students’ preferences will be determined by their previous reading experiences. Originality/value – The main objective of the present study is to learn whether there are any notable differences among university students from distinct disciplines with regard to their attitude and behavior toward e-books. The authors, therefore, set out to identify the segment of the student population that does not read e-books yet (non-eBRs) from those who have already read at least one (eBRs), and within this segment, the readers that have read e-books recently (recent eBRs); find out how frequently university students are reading in different formats (paper and digital), document types (book, written press, etc.) and languages (textual, multimodal, etc.) identify what channels are used to access e-books; find out university students’ opinions on the advantages and disadvantages of reading e-books as compared to traditional print books; and identify the types of improvements or changes to the design–production–distribution–reception chain that students consider might help extend e-book reading.

scholarly journals Surveillance following Snowden: a major challenge in Spain

2017 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 265-282 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew A. Adams ◽  
Mario Arias-Oliva ◽  
Ana María Lara Palma ◽  
Kiyoshi Murata
Keyword(s):  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
Critical Dimension ◽  
Free Text ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Balanced Development ◽  
State Surveillance ◽  
Students Attitudes ◽  
Spanish Higher Education ◽  
Training Programmes

Purpose This study aims to analyse the impacts of Edward Snowden’s revelations in Spain focusing on issues of privacy and state surveillance. This research takes into consideration the Spanish context from a multidimensional perspective: social, cultural, legal and political. Design/methodology/approach The paper reviews the Spanish privacy and state surveillance situation. Responses to a questionnaire were collected from 207 university students studying at Universitat Rovira i Virgili or Burgos University. The quantitative responses to the survey were statistically analysed as well as qualitative considerations of free-text answers. Findings The survey outcomes demonstrate that a majority of respondents are aware of Snowden’s revelations, but only a few have even considered taking serious actions to improve their online privacy. One of the most relevant findings is that Spanish citizens find it acceptable to lose privacy and be subject to state surveillance if that provides a benefit in security. Practical implications The research points out the importance of privacy in a multicultural environment. A sensitised society is a keystone for the healthy and balanced development of state surveillance policy and practice. Social implications Training programmes are a critical dimension to ensure awareness across society regarding privacy and digital technologies. Suitable educational policies and curricula at all levels should be fostered. Originality/value Privacy and state surveillance based on information and communication technologies is an emerging research topic with important consequences for social values and ethics. This study provides an overview of Spanish higher education students’ attitudes in these areas.

scholarly journals Privacy issues in libraries with online services: attitudes and concerns of academic librarians and university students in Ghana

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bright Kwaku Avuglah ◽  
Christopher M. Owusu-Ansah ◽  
Gloria Tachie-Donkor ◽  
Eugene Baah Yeboah
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Personal Data ◽  
Academic Librarians ◽  
Privacy Rights ◽  
Attitudes And Practices ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Education And Awareness ◽  
Students Attitudes ◽  
Online Library ◽  
Privacy Issues

The study surveyed librarians’ and students’ attitudes, perceptions and concerns on privacy in Ghanaian universities with the aim of seeking a better alignment of their perspectives in the online library context. This study adapted and applied the instrument developed by Zimmer which assessed attitudes and practices of librarians in the USA on privacy rights and protecting patron’s privacy in the library. The study found that between librarians and students in Ghanaian universities, there was a need for greater control over their personal data; and a need for ethical responsibility on the part of data collecting online library agents; both groups expressed dislike for state censorship and corporate monopoly over their personal data. However, despite their positive attitude about the strong role of librarians in guaranteeing their personal data, a significant number of them demonstrate little faith in librarians to actualize the protection of their personal data. Lastly, privacy attitudes and concerns of academic librarians were noted to align with that of university students in Ghana. Among others, it was recommended that Ghanaian academic librarians integrate privacy education and awareness creation in their universities, emphasizing the need to make informed online decisions and exposing potential repercussions of their decisions while using online library and digital resources.

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