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Unveiling the Ethical Dilemmas of Digital Piracy: A Comprehensive Exploration of Motivations, Attitudes, and Behaviors

Author

Listed:
  • Helena Belchior-Rocha

    (Political Science and Public Policies Department, Iscte-Instituto Universitário de Lisboa, 1649-026 Lisboa, Portugal)

  • Aykut Arslan

    (Department of International Trade and Business, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, Piri Reis University, 34940 Tuzla, Istanbul, Türkiye)

  • Serdar Yener

    (Department of International Business and Trade, Boyabat Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, Sinop University, 57200 Boyabat, Sinop, Türkiye)

Abstract

Driven by several elements, including the unwillingness to pay for material, the spread of subscription services, and the profitability of illegal activity, digital piracy has grown to be a common problem in the contemporary world. Along with financial damages for businesses and content creators, this phenomenon has legal repercussions for individuals involved in piracy and cybersecurity issues. The effective fight against digital piracy depends on an awareness of the drivers and hazards connected with this illegal activity. With an eye towards a thorough knowledge of this intricate problem, in this study, the focus centers on the reasons, attitudes, and actions behind digital piracy. Through examining how people defend their behavior in particular situations, in this study, the aim is to clarify the ethical issues and decision-making procedures related to piracy—even among otherwise law-abiding people. Combining a variety of the relevant literature and ideas, including situation ethics theory, in this study, we seek to provide insights for legislators, business players, and academics eager to meet the difficulties presented by digital piracy. This study adds to the continuous discussion on lessening the detrimental effects of digital piracy on content creators, businesses, and cybersecurity by looking at the underlying reasons for piracy and supporting legal access to material. Along with a dearth of research on the origins and moral questions of digital piracy, there is a lot of contradictory material. By examining the factors behind this unlawful activity, clarifying the complex dynamics involved, and offering understanding of the causes of digital piracy, this study seeks to close a significant void in the knowledge. The findings of this study will enable individuals to develop strategies for handling this prevalent issue in the digital era. Developing successful interventions that can reduce this illegal conduct and safeguard the interests of content producers, businesses, and cybersecurity overall depends on an awareness of the reasons behind digital piracy. This study advances the knowledge of the difficulties presented by this global phenomenon by investigating the ethical issues and decision-making procedures related to digital piracy.

Suggested Citation

  • Helena Belchior-Rocha & Aykut Arslan & Serdar Yener, 2024. "Unveiling the Ethical Dilemmas of Digital Piracy: A Comprehensive Exploration of Motivations, Attitudes, and Behaviors," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-18, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jscscx:v:13:y:2024:i:11:p:579-:d:1507233
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Charlotte Emily De Corte & Patrick Van Kenhove, 2017. "One Sail Fits All? A Psychographic Segmentation of Digital Pirates," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 143(3), pages 441-465, July.
    2. Yam, Kai Chi & Chen, Xiao-Ping & Reynolds, Scott J., 2014. "Ego depletion and its paradoxical effects on ethical decision making," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 124(2), pages 204-214.
    3. Martin Eisend, 2019. "Explaining Digital Piracy: A Meta-Analysis," Information Systems Research, INFORMS, vol. 30(2), pages 636-664, June.
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