Privacy and the use of information systems in the workplace

[Highball]

I'm researching the issue of the creation of activity and performance data through the use of monitoring technologies within workplace information systems. Specifically, I'm focusing on the potential for such data to be processed into biographical information that relates to the performance of an individual - and thus the potential for the breach of privacy outside of the normal legislative concern of 'personal data'. The context of my study lies within the military, who culturally have some interesting perspectives on the concept of privacy. The attached link is to a survey that would take about 4 minutes to complete. If this subject is of interest to you I'd be delighted to receive your completed survey and any additional comment you may have.

 

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=9Eefg06dUMJN1CtqhytyQw_3d_3d

 

Look forward to hearing from you!

[Pangloss]

Sounds interesting. Dissertation research, perhaps, or just a paper? I'm doing pre-dissertation coursework in a related area. I think I've about gone blind from using the ACM Portal. (lol)

 

I took your survey. One question that kinda leaps to my mind is the question on whether the user agrees with the statement that if they have nothing to hide then they shouldn't be concerned about privacy. Is the purpose of that question to determine whether or not users are aware of the consequences of identity theft, e.g. bad credit rating and (potentially) actual debts to pay?

 

Question 4 on page 2 could use a "don't use that service" column for people who selected "never" for those categories on the previous page.

 

Question 5 is *excellent*. I bet that one really points out a gap.

 

Question 6 was also very interesting.

 

With question 7 I think there may be some ambiguity between the first two answer columns (have no choice and happy to share), at least for some question rows. The question that arose in my mind while taking the survey was "which one is worse?"

 

The last question is a little vague, but I think it still works.

 

I'd be interested in reading your paper, if you're able to share it. Good luck!

[Highball]

Thanks very much for taking your time to do the survey, and for the feedback. I indeed producing a masters dissertation, or at least attempting to! You're not wrong about the effect of online research.... scouring through the academic databases for relevant literature is a real art in itself - which I sadly have yet to master!! I'm trying to write up my dissertation so that it attracts no requirement for protective marking, if I succeed I'd be happy to upload it so that you can take a look.