Date of Conferral
2018
Degree
Doctor of Business Administration (D.B.A.)
School
Business Administration
Advisor
Patsy Kasen
Abstract
Estimated worldwide losses due to cybercrime are approximately $375-575 billion annually, affecting governments, business organizations, economies, and society. With globalization on the rise, even small businesses conduct transactions worldwide through the use of information technology (IT), leaving these small businesses vulnerable to the intrusion of their networks. The purpose of this multiple case study was to explore the managerial strategies of small manufacturing business owners to protect their financial assets, data, and intellectual property from cybercrime. The conceptual framework was systems thinking and action theory. Participants included 4 small manufacturing business owners in the midwestern region of the United States. Data were collected via face-to-face interviews with owners, company documentation, and observations. Member checking was used to help ensure data reliability and validity. Four themes emerged from the data analysis: organizational policies, IT structure, managerial strategies, and assessment and action. Through effective IT security and protocols, proactive managerial strategies, and continuous evaluation of the organization's system, the small business owner can sustain the business and protect it against potential cyberattacks on the organization's network. The findings of the study have implications for positive social change by informing managers regarding (a) the elimination or reduction of cybercrimes, (b) the protection of customers' information, and (c) the prevention of future breaches by implementing effective managerial strategies to protect individuals in society.
Recommended Citation
Maahs, Doreen Lynn, "Managerial Strategies Small Businesses Use to Prevent Cybercrime" (2018). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 5749.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/5749
Included in
Business Administration, Management, and Operations Commons, Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods Commons, Other Communication Commons