The role of collectivism, power distance, and neutralization techniques on deviant information security behavior

Insider threats to organizations prompt them to implement security policies and procedures, but cultural dimensions shape employees’ beliefs and behaviors. Employees may justify deviant security behaviors using various neutralization techniques, which can be culturally determined. We present a research model to examine the moderating role of cultural dimensions – power distance and collectivism – on the relationship between neutralization techniques and deviant security behaviors. Based on a scenario-based survey conducted in Ethiopia, our findings indicate that perceived benefits and neutralization techniques are positively associated with the intention to engage in deviant security behavior, while perceived sanction certainty has a negative effect. Our moderation analysis further reveals that power distance and collectivism moderate the relationship between neutralization techniques and the intention to engage in deviant security behaviors. Specifically, higher levels of espoused power distance diminish the impact of “denial of responsibility” and “defense of necessity”, while amplifying the effect of “condemn the condemners” and perceived certainty of sanctions. Similarly, higher levels of espoused collectivism enhance the effect of the “defense of necessity”, while reducing the impact of the “claim of normalcy” on the intention to engage in deviant behavior.