Factors influencing information privacy in Abu Dhabi Emirate

262 Pages·2017·5.53 MB·English

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Factors influencing
information privacy in Abu
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• A Doctoral Thesis. Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements
for the award of Doctor of Philosophy of Loughborough University.
Metadata Record: https://dspace.lboro.ac.uk/2134/22485
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Please cite the published version.
Factors Influencing Information Privacy in
Abu Dhabi Emirate

By

Omar Al-Dhaheri

A Doctoral Thesis Submitted in partial fulfillment of the
requirements for the award of
Doctor of Philosophy of Loughborough University

April, 2016

© Omar Al-Dhaheri 2016
1
Abstract
Individuals in the UAE and Abu Dhabi Emirate, in particular, have become increasingly
concerned about their private information. This is mainly due to the use of technology, which
makes accessing, transmitting and editing personal information faster and easier. Besides the
use of technology, and the awareness and understanding of the privacy of expatriates,
working in Abu Dhabi Emirate has had an impact on UAE citizens in terms of their rights to
privacy. There is a need for organisations to comply with international bodies in protecting
individuals‘ rights to privacy and to increase the exploration of culturally sensitive
information in the media. These issues have all led to the importance of and need to explore
and identify Abu Dhabi Emirate employees‘ perceptions, and the factors influencing their

behaviour, towards privacy.
The aim of this research was to investigate and analyse factors influencing employees
information privacy behaviour and employees‘ perceptions, awareness and behaviour on the
handling of private information in the Abu Dhabi Emirate public sector, ADEC, as well as to
provide practical recommendations to improve the privacy.
The research methods used in this project are based on a mixed-method approach comprising
both quantitative and qualitative strategies. Qualitative data collection in this research
included face-to-face interviews and focus groups with Abu Dhabi Education Council.
Quantitative surveys for all the Abu Dhabi Education Council were also utilised.
The research identified the types of information that were considered private and defined
privacy in the context of UAE culture. The main factors influencing privacy in Abu Dhabi
Emirate employees were identified and analysed such as national culture, organisation culture
and perceived benefits as examples. Following this, practical recommendations for changes
to promote and enhance privacy in Abu Dhabi Emirate were offered. A model has been
developed and designed based on the factors influencing individual information behaviour
regarding private information handling, interrelated and influenced. This is essential to
provide a practical model capable of acting as a guideline to help organisations, decision
makers, and strategic planners in the Abu Dhabi Emirate public sector decide how best to
approach privacy policy.
Acknowledgements
Getting to the end of this journey has made me remember all of the steps and events I have
been through. It's made me appreciate everyone who supported and guided me through this
journey. It‘s time to show my gratitude.
I would like to start with thanks and praise to Allah for giving me the strength and motivation
I needed to complete this thesis.
My sincere gratitude to my supervisor Professor Mark Hepworth for his guidance, advice and
encouragement I received, starting from the initial to the final stages of this research.
The Abu Dhabi Education Council, who sponsored me for this research, they deserve a deep
gratitude because without their support this research would not be impossible. I would like
also to thank the Research Office of Abu Dhabi Education Council for their cooperation and
support.
Thanks to all of my colleagues and the staff in the Information Science Department at
Loughborough University.

II
Dedications

I dedicate this work to my father for the endless encouragement and motivation he has given
me to achieve my goals, and to my mother for her constant prayers. To my brothers and
sisters, and especially to my brother Dr. Abdulla who has been with me through my studies.
To my lovely wife for handling the home while I have been away and her continuous
encouragement and to my adorable children Saeed and Fatima.

III
Table of Contents
Abstract ...................................................................................................................................... I
Acknowledgements ................................................................................................................... II
Dedications .............................................................................................................................. III
Table of Contents ..................................................................................................................... IV
List of Tables ........................................................................................................................... XI
List of Figures ........................................................................................................................ XII
Glossary of Abbreviation ....................................................................................................... XV
Chapter One: Introduction ...................................................................................................... 1
1.0 Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 1
1.1 Background ...................................................................................................................... 1
1.2 Motivation for this Research ............................................................................................ 2
1.3 Scope of the Research ...................................................................................................... 3
1.4 Research Questions .......................................................................................................... 3
1.5 Research Aim and Objectives .......................................................................................... 4
1.5.1 Research Aim ......................................................................................................................... 4
1.5.2 Research Objectives ............................................................................................................... 4
1.6 Significance of the Research ............................................................................................ 5
1.7 Structure of the Thesis ..................................................................................................... 5
Chapter Two: Background ................................................................................................... 8
2.0 Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 8
2.1 United Arab Emirates: ..................................................................................................... 8
2.1.1 UAE Political Map ............................................................................................................... 10
2.2 Abu Dhabi Emirate ........................................................................................................ 13
2.2.1 Abu Dhabi Emirate Economy .............................................................................................. 13
2.2.2 Abu Dhabi Emirate Population ............................................................................................ 13
2.2.3 Citizen versus Non-Citizen Population in Abu Dhabi Emirate............................................ 14
IV
2.2.4 Work Force Population in Abu Dhabi ................................................................................. 15
2.2.5 Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC) ............................................................................... 17
2.2.6 Cultural Background: Abu Dhabi Emirate Culture .............................................................. 17
2.3 Summary ........................................................................................................................ 19
Chapter Three: Literature Review ....................................................................................... 20
3.0 Introduction .................................................................................................................... 20
3.1 Definitions of Privacy .................................................................................................... 21
3.2 Privacy and Security ...................................................................................................... 24
3.3 Privacy and Confidentiality ........................................................................................... 25
3.4 Privacy and Legislation.................................................................................................. 25
3.4.1 Privacy Legislation in the UK .............................................................................................. 27
3.4.2 Privacy Legislation in the UAE ........................................................................................... 31
3.5 Information Privacy Culture .......................................................................................... 32
3.5.1 Organisation Culture ............................................................................................................ 33
3.6 Cultural Barriers to Implementing Privacy in Organisations ........................................ 38
3.7 Behaviour towards Privacy ............................................................................................ 41
3.7.1 Human Behavior Theory ...................................................................................................... 42
3.7.2 Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) ...................................................................................... 42
3.7.3 Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) ................................................................................... 43
3.7.4 Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) ............................................................................... 44
3.7.5 Protection Motivation Theory (PMT) .................................................................................. 45
3.7.6 General Deterrence Theory (GDT) ...................................................................................... 45
3.7.7 Theory of Privacy Calculus .................................................................................................. 46
3.8 Summary ........................................................................................................................ 47
Chapter Four: Methodology ............................................................................................... 48
4.0 Introduction .................................................................................................................... 48
4.1 Research Paradigm and Philosophy ............................................................................... 50
4.2 Research Strategy........................................................................................................... 51
V
4.3 Data Collection .............................................................................................................. 52
4.3.1 Quantitative Data: Questionnaire ......................................................................................... 53
4.3.2 Qualitative Data: Interviews ................................................................................................ 57
4.3.3 Qualitative Data: Focus Groups ........................................................................................... 59
4.4 Research Population and Sample ................................................................................... 60
4.5 Reliability and validity ................................................................................................... 63
4.6 Pilot Study ...................................................................................................................... 64
4.7 Data Analysis ................................................................................................................. 65
4.8 Summary ........................................................................................................................ 66
Chapter Five: Qualitative Data Analysis: Opinions, Perceptions and Attitudes towards
Privacy in the UAE .................................................................................................................. 67
5.0 Introduction .................................................................................................................... 67
5.1 Participants Background ................................................................................................ 67
5.2 Definitions and the Understanding of Privacy from the UAE Perspective ................... 68
5.2.1 Definition of Privacy ............................................................................................................ 68
5.3 Main Issues and Problems of Privacy in the UAE ......................................................... 71
5.4 Employees‘ Perception towards Importance of Privacy ................................................ 83
5.4.1 Importance of Privacy .......................................................................................................... 86
5.4.2 Employee‘s Privacy Rights: Individual Human Rights ....................................................... 88
5.4.3 Information Ownership: Organisation vs. Individual Employees ........................................ 90
5.5 Private Information from UAE Perspective ................................................................... 91
5.6 Role of culture on organisations .................................................................................... 94
5.6.1 Role of Organisation Culture on Privacy ............................................................................. 94
5.6.2 Role of the UAE National Culture on Privacy ..................................................................... 97
5.7 Employees‘ Attitudes towards Privacy ........................................................................ 100
5.7.1 Main Factors that Construct Individuals‘ Attitude ............................................................. 100
5.8 Summary ...................................................................................................................... 106
Chapter Six: Quantitative Data Analysis: ......................................................................... 107
VI
Opinions, Perceptions and Attitudes towards Privacy in the UAE .................................... 107
6.0 Introduction .................................................................................................................. 107
6.1 Survey Respondents Background ................................................................................ 107
6.1.1 Surveyed Regional Offices ................................................................................................ 107
6.1.3 Respondents Nationality .................................................................................................... 108
6.1.4 Respondents Age................................................................................................................ 109
6.1.5 Respondents Working Experience ..................................................................................... 110
6.1.6 Respondents Job role in the Organisation .......................................................................... 111
6.1.2 Respondents Gender .......................................................................................................... 112
6.2 Issues and Problems in Privacy .................................................................................... 112
6.2.1 Information Owner Consent ............................................................................................... 112
6.2.2 Employees‘ Sharing Information Culture .......................................................................... 113
6.2.4 Recording and Storing Private Information ....................................................................... 115
6.2.5 Transmitting/Sending Personal Information ...................................................................... 116
6.2.6 Employees Working Culture .............................................................................................. 117
6. 3 Employees Perception of Privacy ............................................................................... 118
6.3.1 Employee‘s Human Rights towards Protecting their Personal Information ...................... 118
6.3.2 Privacy and the Organisation Image in Society ................................................................. 119
6.3.3 Individual Employees‘ Rights to control his/her Personal Information ............................. 120
6.3.4 Personal Electronic Records Ownership ............................................................................ 121
6.4 Types of Private Information ....................................................................................... 122
6.4.1 Personal Wage ................................................................................................................... 123
6.4.2 Spouse Names .................................................................................................................... 124
6.4.3 Family Females‘ Personal Information .............................................................................. 125
6.4.4 Performance Appraisal ....................................................................................................... 126
6.4.5 Personal Mobile Number ................................................................................................... 127
6.4.6 Family Picture .................................................................................................................... 128
6.5 Role of the Organisation‘s Culture on Privacy ............................................................ 129
6.5.1 Share Information Culture among Employees ................................................................... 129
VII
6.5.2 Printing Information Culture .............................................................................................. 130
6.5.3 Organisation Privacy Policy ............................................................................................... 131
6.5.4 Organisation Value Personal Information .......................................................................... 132
6.5.5 Value of the Organisation Document ................................................................................. 133
6.6 Role of the UAE National Culture on Privacy............................................................. 134
6.6.1 Society Sharing Culture ..................................................................................................... 135
6.6.2 UAE Culture Passing Personal Information ...................................................................... 136
6.7 Perceived Benefits of Disclosing Private Information................................................. 137
6.7.1 Financial Benefit ................................................................................................................ 137
6.7.2 Moral Benefit ..................................................................................................................... 138
6.7.3 Future Benefit .................................................................................................................... 139
6.7.4 Promotion Benefit .............................................................................................................. 140
6.7.5 Publicity in Public Media ................................................................................................... 141
6.8 Role of Subjective Norms ............................................................................................ 142
6.8.1 Sharing Employees Personal Information with Family ..................................................... 142
6.8.2 Sharing Employees‘ Personal Information with Colleagues .............................................. 143
6.8.3 Sharing Employees‘ Personal Information with the Line Manager ................................... 144
6.8.4 Sharing Employees Personal Information with my Tribe/National Member .................... 145
6.9 Employees‘ Attitude and Privacy Behaviour ............................................................... 146
6.9.1 Employees‘ Value of Privacy ............................................................................................ 146
6.9.2 Employees‘ Understanding of Privacy............................................................................... 147
6.9.3 Awareness of the Importance of Private Information on the Organisation‘s Image .......... 148
6.10 Sharing Expectation: Behavioural Intention .............................................................. 149
6.10.1 Intention to Share Personal Information with Family ...................................................... 149
6.10.2 Intention to Share Personal Information with Colleagues ............................................... 150
6.10.3 Intention to Share Personal Information with their Line Manager .................................. 151
6.11 Role of Organisation Culture on Employees‘ Behavioural Intention ........................ 152
6.11.1 Organisation‘s Working Norms ....................................................................................... 152
6.11.2 Organisation Communication System.............................................................................. 153
VIII