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Mitigating the Impact of Work Overload on Cybersecurity Behavior: The Moderating Influence of Corporate Ethics—A Mediated Moderation Analysis

Author

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  • Yunsook Hong

    (College of Business Administration, University of Ulsan, Ulsan 44610, Republic of Korea)

  • Min-Jik Kim

    (School of Industrial Management, Korea University of Technology and Education, Cheonan 31253, Republic of Korea)

  • Taewoo Roh

    (School of International Studies, Hanyang University, Seoul 04763, Republic of Korea)

Abstract

This present study examines how work overload affects cybersecurity behavior, considering job stress as a mediator and corporate ethics as a moderator. Using a time-lagged survey design, 377 South Korean employees were surveyed. The results of SEM analysis (structural equation model) show that work overload leads to higher job stress, which in turn worsens cybersecurity behavior. High levels of corporate ethics buffer this negative relationship. This research fill gaps in the existing literature by linking work overload, job stress, and corporate ethics to cybersecurity behavior, offering valuable insights for both theory and practice. Future research directions are also discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Yunsook Hong & Min-Jik Kim & Taewoo Roh, 2023. "Mitigating the Impact of Work Overload on Cybersecurity Behavior: The Moderating Influence of Corporate Ethics—A Mediated Moderation Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(19), pages 1-20, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:19:p:14327-:d:1249843
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Amer Morshed & Laith T. Khrais, 2025. "Cybersecurity in Digital Accounting Systems: Challenges and Solutions in the Arab Gulf Region," JRFM, MDPI, vol. 18(1), pages 1-24, January.
    2. Kim, Byung-Jik & Kim, Min-Jik, 2024. "The influence of work overload on cybersecurity behavior: A moderated mediation model of psychological contract breach, burnout, and self-efficacy in AI learning such as ChatGPT," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 77(C).

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