IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/inm/orisre/v36y2025i2p1183-1195.html

Promoting Security Behaviors in Remote Work Environments: Personal Values Shaping Information Security Policy Compliance

Author

Listed:
  • Carlos I. Torres

    (ISBA Department, Hankamer School of Business, Baylor University, Waco, Texas 76798)

  • Robert E. Crossler

    (MISE Department, Carson College of Business, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington 99164)

Abstract

Cybersecurity threats and information security policy (ISP) compliance are critical concerns for organizations. The recent trend of working from home has made individual characteristics more relevant in fostering ISP compliance. Whereas extant research has theorized and offered alternatives to induce ISP compliance, most studies have failed to consider the differences between onsite and remote workers to motivate compliance with ISPs and have instead focused on standard interventions without considering personal characteristics. One of the few models including factors related to individuals’ characteristics is the unified model of information security policy compliance (UMISPC). This paper extends the UMISPC by drawing on Schwartz’s universal theory of personal values. We propose the values construct as a robust representation of an individual’s motivations to comply with an ISP. We confirm that personal values are significant predictors of compliance with ISPs. Furthermore, a comparison between onsite and remote workers suggests that personal values are more relevant in remote work settings. Our findings shed light on the values and individual characteristics that are important motivators for ISP compliance and how they differ for onsite and remote workers. Our results suggest that people’s personal motivations should be considered in promoting organizations’ ISPs and that organizations’ interventions should be tailored by understanding what values motivate or hinder ISP compliance.

Suggested Citation

  • Carlos I. Torres & Robert E. Crossler, 2025. "Promoting Security Behaviors in Remote Work Environments: Personal Values Shaping Information Security Policy Compliance," Information Systems Research, INFORMS, vol. 36(2), pages 1183-1195, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:inm:orisre:v:36:y:2025:i:2:p:1183-1195
    DOI: 10.1287/isre.2021.0563
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1287/isre.2021.0563
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1287/isre.2021.0563?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Paul Benjamin Lowry & Tamara Dinev & Robert Willison, 2017. "Why security and privacy research lies at the centre of the information systems (IS) artefact: proposing a bold research agenda," European Journal of Information Systems, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 26(6), pages 546-563, November.
    2. Sarstedt, Marko & Hair, Joseph F. & Cheah, Jun-Hwa & Becker, Jan-Michael & Ringle, Christian M., 2019. "How to specify, estimate, and validate higher-order constructs in PLS-SEM," Australasian marketing journal, Elsevier, vol. 27(3), pages 197-211.
    3. Gavoille, Nicolas & Hazans, Mihails, 2022. "Personality traits, remote work and productivity," GLO Discussion Paper Series 1145, Global Labor Organization (GLO).
    4. Gandal, Neil & Weinstein, Zohar & Roccas, Sonia, 2020. "Personal Values and Cyber Risk-Taking," CEPR Discussion Papers 15391, Centre for Economic Policy Research.
    5. Weiyin Hong & Frank K. Y. Chan & James Y. L. Thong & Lewis C. Chasalow & Gurpreet Dhillon, 2014. "A Framework and Guidelines for Context-Specific Theorizing in Information Systems Research," Information Systems Research, INFORMS, vol. 25(1), pages 111-136, March.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Nils Koester & Patrick Cichy & David Antons & Torsten Oliver Salge, 2022. "Perceived privacy risk in the Internet of Things: determinants, consequences, and contingencies in the case of connected cars," Electronic Markets, Springer;IIM University of St. Gallen, vol. 32(4), pages 2333-2355, December.
    2. Jeewon Cho & Insu Park, 2024. "The impact of information privacy concerns on information systems use behaviors in non-volitional surveillance contexts: A moderated mediation approach," Information Systems Frontiers, Springer, vol. 26(6), pages 2347-2371, December.
    3. A. J. Burns & Tom L. Roberts & Clay Posey & Paul Benjamin Lowry & Bryan Fuller, 2023. "Going Beyond Deterrence: A Middle-Range Theory of Motives and Controls for Insider Computer Abuse," Information Systems Research, INFORMS, vol. 34(1), pages 342-362, March.
    4. Delgosha, Mohammad Soltani & Hajiheydari, Nastaran, 2020. "On-demand service platforms pro/anti adoption cognition: Examining the context-specific reasons," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 121(C), pages 180-194.
    5. Hamid Reza Nikkhah & Frederic Schlackl & Rajiv Sabherwal, 2025. "Does Culture Affect Post-Adoption Privacy Concerns of Mobile Cloud Computing App Users? Insights from the US, the UK, and India," Information Systems Frontiers, Springer, vol. 27(5), pages 2059-2080, October.
    6. Jiatong Yu & Jiajue Wang & Taesoo Moon, 2022. "Influence of Digital Transformation Capability on Operational Performance," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-20, June.
    7. Qi Ke & Yunhong Gong & Changping Ke, 2025. "Bridging AI literacy and UTAUT constructs: structural equation modeling of AI adoption among Chinese university students," Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 12(1), pages 1-13, December.
    8. Carlos Bazan, 2022. "Effect of the University’s Environment and Support System on Subjective Social Norms as Precursor of the Entrepreneurial Intention of Students," SAGE Open, , vol. 12(4), pages 21582440221, October.
    9. Sahu, Aditya Kumar & Khan, Mohd Ziyauddin & Gupta, Piyush, 2025. "Instant food on your table: The role of logistics service quality dimensions in the adoption of instant online food delivery services," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 200(C).
    10. Zhikun Ding & Xinyue Huang & Xinrui Wang & Qiaohui Chen & Jiasheng Zhang & Zezhou Wu, 2024. "Investigating the Determinants of Construction Stakeholders’ Intention to Use Construction and Demolition Waste Recycling Products Based on the S-O-R Model in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(6), pages 1-17, March.
    11. Febrianur Ibnu Fitroh Sukono Putra & Awanis Linati Haziroh & Risanda Alirastra Budiantoro & Selvia Puji Lestari & Tiara Daffa Arsanda, 2023. "AMOBA: Innovation barriers of the millennial generation," Asian Management and Business Review, Master of Management, Department of Management, Faculty of Business and Economics Universitas Islam Indonesia, vol. 3(1), pages 1-13.
    12. Rahila Huma Anwar & Sajida Zaki & Natasha Memon & Ramayah Thurasamy, 2021. "Exploring the Interplay of Trait Emotional Intelligence and ESL Teacher Effectiveness: Is Self-Efficacy the Mechanism Linking Them?," SAGE Open, , vol. 11(4), pages 21582440211, November.
    13. Tarcia Camily Cavalcante Quezado & Nuno Fortes & William Quezado Figueiredo Cavalcante, 2022. "The Influence of Corporate Social Responsibility and Business Ethics on Brand Fidelity: The Importance of Brand Love and Brand Attitude," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-20, March.
    14. Chen, Hongquan & Zhang, Shuhua & Shao, Bingjia & Zhang, Yong & Zhao, Quanwu, 2026. "Instrumental vs. hedonic Affordances: Examining their impact on repurchase behavior on live commerce platforms through self-determination theory," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 88(C).
    15. Xin Xie & Shaokang Wu & Ghulam Subhani & Sakina, 2025. "Analyzing how digital orientation contributes to organizational innovation and environmental, social and governance performance through digital inclusion and capabilities," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 21(1), pages 1-22, December.
    16. Luther Yuong Qai Chong & Thien Sang Lim, 2022. "Pull and Push Factors of Data Analytics Adoption and Its Mediating Role on Operational Performance," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-19, June.
    17. Connor Agyere AJEAKOH & Figen YESILADA & Japheth Nuhu Ahmed, 2025. "Cross-cultural negotiation styles in Shandong province, China: the role of cultural and emotional intelligence," Future Business Journal, Springer, vol. 11(1), pages 1-16, December.
    18. Meena Madhavan & Mohammed Ali Sharafuddin & Thanapong Chaichana, 2022. "Impact of Business Model Innovation on Sustainable Performance of Processed Marine Food Product SMEs in Thailand—A PLS-SEM Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-33, August.
    19. David Giauque & Frédéric Cornu & Karine Renard & Yves Emery, 2023. "Opportunity to Use New Ways of Working: Do Sectors and Organizational Characteristics Shape Employee Perceptions?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(14), pages 1-21, July.
    20. Baoting Peng & Xin Shen, 2024. "Does Environmental Regulation Affect Circular Economy Performance? Evidence from China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(11), pages 1-19, May.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:inm:orisre:v:36:y:2025:i:2:p:1183-1195. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Chris Asher (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://edirc.repec.org/data/inforea.html .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.