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Global Software Piracy: Searching for Further Explanations

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Abstract

This paper identifies that Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has a negative effect on software piracy rates in addition to consolidating prior research that economic development and the cultural dimension of individualism also negatively affect piracy rates. Using data for 59 countries from 2000 to 2005, the findings show that economic well-being, individualism and technology development as measured by ICT expenditures explain between 70% and 82% of the variation in software piracy rates during this period. The research results provide important implications for policy makers and business practitioners to help reduce software piracy.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the Section Editor – Professor D. Mele and the two anonymous referees for their constructive comments that have helped improve the paper.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Bradford University School of Management, Emm Lane, Bradford, BD9 4JL, U.K.

    Deli Yang

  2. The Business School, Loughborough University, Ashby Road, Loughborough, LE11 3TU, U.K.

    Mahmut Sonmez

  3. St. Peter’s College, Oxford University, New Inne Hall Street, Oxford, OX1 2DL, U.K.

    Derek Bosworth

  4. China Europe International Business School, 699 Hongfeng Road, Pudong, Shanghai, 201206, China

    Gerald Fryxell

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  1. Deli Yang
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  2. Mahmut Sonmez
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  3. Derek Bosworth
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  4. Gerald Fryxell
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Correspondence to Mahmut Sonmez.

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Yang, D., Sonmez, M., Bosworth, D. et al. Global Software Piracy: Searching for Further Explanations. J Bus Ethics 87, 269–283 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-008-9884-z

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