Date of Conferral

2020

Degree

Doctor of Business Administration (D.B.A.)

School

Management

Advisor

Ronald Jones

Abstract

Leaders in the U.S. hospitality industry experience significant losses in profitability, increased mitigation cost, and reduced revenues because of business and consumer identity theft. Grounded in the fraud triangle theory and the fraud diamond theory, the purpose of this qualitative multiple-case study was to explore strategies leaders in the hospitality industry use to mitigate identity theft. A purposeful sample of 5 leaders of 5 different hospitality businesses in Montana participated in the study. Data were collected through semistructured interviews, member checking, and a review of company documents. During data analysis using Yin’s 5-step process, 3 key themes emerged: a new technology strategy, a training and educating strategy, and a vigilance strategy. The findings indicated that leaders in the hospitality industry mitigate the effects of identity theft by implementing strategies to use up-to-date technology, train employees, educate consumers, and improve their vigilance. The implications for positive social change include the potential for leaders in the U.S. hospitality industry to increase consumer confidence, improve security for consumer data, and reduce consumers’ financial losses. Further social change implications include increasing revenues for businesses, decreasing costs to customers, and fostering new job opportunities, all contributing to a healthy, robust growing economy.

Share

 
COinS