The implementation of social cognitive theory in the understanding of unauthorised copying of software.
| dc.contributor.author | Wentzell, Alethea | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2009-01-28T09:35:25Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2009-01-28T09:35:25Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2009-01-28T09:35:25Z | |
| dc.description.abstract | Bandura s (1986) Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) embraces an interactional model of causation in which environmental events, personal factors and behaviour all operate as interacting determinants of each other. This study aims to develop a model that predicts and explains incidents of unauthorised copying of software using SCT. To do this, the current study explored the relationship between attitudes, self-efficacy and social norms, with an individual s intention to copy software illegally. In addition, moral disengagement was considered as a mediator of the relationship. The study was conducted within one medium-sized South African Information Technology (IT) organisation, and one department of a large South African production organisation, within the surrounding Johannesburg area. In addition, a sample was also collected from four Zambian banking industries. The researcher received responses from 217 participants from across the organisations. Firstly the relationship between attitudes, self-efficacy and social norms with regard to intentions were analysed, by using correlations. The results of the correlation indicated that there is a significant positive relationship between each of the variables and intention to the unauthorised copying of software. The model predicted by the researcher is then tested empirically according to Structural Equation Modelling (SEM). The results of the SEM presented the researcher with four models, which will each be discussed independently, as well as suggesting the model that best fits the data. A discussion of the findings is presented, in addition to the limitations of the study and possible recommendations for improvement. | en |
| dc.identifier.uri | http://hdl.handle.net/10539/5980 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | en |
| dc.subject | Social cognitive theory | en |
| dc.subject | Copying of software | en |
| dc.title | The implementation of social cognitive theory in the understanding of unauthorised copying of software. | en |
| dc.type | Thesis | en |