Date of Award

2001

Document Type

Thesis

Publisher

Edith Cowan University

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science Honours

Faculty

Faculty of Communications, Health and Science

First Supervisor

Andrew Blades

Abstract

The role of security has evolved beyond a guard standing at a post. Although such activities are still vital, more proactive measures are required to combat increasing incidents of internal theft, workplace violence and fraud. However, the development of pro-active security activities cannot occur in a vacuum, therefore the Security Function must look to other organisational activities for support Socialisation has an important role in assisting individuals to familiarise themselves with their new environment, and develop an understanding of their role within an organisation. Failing to socialise an employee effectively may negatively impact upon individual behaviour, job satisfaction and organisational commitment. This behaviour can then be manifested in incidents of theft, sabotage, workplace violence and absenteeism. The aim of this study is to provide security practitioners with a theoretical framework that assists in identifying a role for the Security Function in the socialisation of new employees. The framework model includes how the Security Function can positively and pro-actively impact upon the likelihood of criminal and unethical behaviour, and facilitate a security conscious and ethical culture. The successful completion of the framework was based upon addressing the study's primary research question - Can the Security Function impact upon the socialisation of new employees entering an organisation? Four subsidiary research questions were defined to ensure this objective was achieved. The research process focused on applying both a structured interview and a Likert test to examine security and human resource managers attitude toward these subsidiary questions, and their associated concepts of socialisation, culture and motivation. The results of the testing process indicated a support for the subsidiary research questions. Furthermore, the study outcomes demonstrated that the socialisation process docs have a significant impact upon the activities of the Security Function, and its ability to manage employee behaviour and promote a security conscious and ethical work environment. In addition, the study results indicated that the socialisation process and subsequent behaviour of new employees are impacted upon by a number of cultural and motivational concepts. An understanding of how these concepts effect the socialisation of new employees enabled selected concept components to be applied to the model. This process ultimately culminated in the development of n comprehensive socialisation and security framework. The socialisation and security framework provides a sufficiently large knowledge base with which to initiate a role for the Security Function in the socialisation process. The application of the framework, whilst considering contextual issues, should result in a positive impact on employee behaviour and the fostering of an ethical work environment.

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