Introducing virtue ethics concepts into the decision processes of information systems trusted workers: a Delphi study

Abstract

Human factors affect the incorporation and efficiency of information systems security (ISS). This study examined various factors which affect and shape the ethical perspectives and decision making processes of individuals with access to personal, sensitive, and classified information maintained in information systems. A two-round web-based Delphi survey was completed by a ten member panel of ISS subject matter experts who were convened to identify and establish the key indicators of four virtue ethics based formative constructs for ISS trusted worker decision making and conduct. Consensus was reached on the applicability of a set of indicators for each construct. The high level of agreement among panel members indicates that these constructs can be used to promote conceptual thinking about the influences and implications to the ISS culture in an organisation. The controls lay the foundation for future research as they can be incorporated into a new theoretical model of ISS trusted worker ethical behaviour.