Evaluating a New Model of Software Piracy
E. Vance Wilson, James R. Connolly
This study examines a new modelfor predicting individuals' intentions to pirate software. The model is grounded in social psychology, ethics, and information systems theory. Regression results ofa survey administered to 373 business students show that attitudes about and intentions to pirate are differentially related to respondents' use ofcomputers at home, software purchasing patterns, peer views, and ethical profile. While controversy exists in the literature as to whether or not ethics and piracy are related, this workprovides evidence that ethical constructs do influence software piracy intentions. The study further suggests that respondents' attitudes and intentions are not wholly consistent with respect to the issue. This study enriches the understanding ofoneform ofsoftwarepiracy (softlifiing) and can influence strategies used by software publishers to curb the practice.
Laurie Schatzberg is associate professor of management information systems in the Anderson Schools of Management at the University of New Mexico. Previously, she had been a project manager at Rensselaer's Center for Manufacturing Productivity and Technology Transfer where she earned the PhD degree.
Dr. Schatzberg teaches courses in systems analysis and design, CASE tools, project management, and a variety of end-user software. She has published numerous articles and case studies on the use of information systems in manufacturing and has consulted on a variety of projects with large and small companies.
Dr. Schatzberg is the secretary/treasurer of ACM SIGMIS and department editor for Database.
John D. Schatzberg is associate professor offinance in the Anderson Schools of Management at the University of New Mexico. He has taught numerous courses at both the undergraduate andgraduate levels in corporate financeand investments.
His published work has appeared inmany ofthe leading academic journals in finance; and recently, in journals devoted to interdisciplinary study. A sampling of some current areas of interest include the marginal choice between debt and equity fmancing, the market capitalization offirmintangibles,andcorporate performance as a function of research & development expenditures. Dr. Schatzberg earned his PhD from the University of Michigan.
Richard A. Reid is a professor of operations management in the Anderson Schools of Management at the University ofNewMexico, where he teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in systems thinking and production/operations management. He received his PhD in systems research and an MBA from Ohio State University as well as a BSME from Case Institute of Technology.
Dr. Reid has published over 100 articles in national and international journals and is the co-author of one book entitled: Competitive Hospitals. He has been a consultantto private sector and governmental agencies in the application of analytical models and process improvement tools to production and service delivery systems.
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