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The use of NDAs in the IT service sector

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Abstract

Business people are advised to use contracts for the protection of their assets when entering business transactions with other strategic partners. Non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) are examples of such contracts that limit what those with access to certain knowledge can do with the privileged information. However, knowledge is constantly changing as soon as someone gains knowledge and adds personal knowledge to that knowledge. As such, the NDA may be redundant soon after it is signed. IT service professionals realize the boundless nature of knowledge and regularly work with professional colleagues to provide technical services to their customers. I provide a qualitative analysis of interviews with four IT service professionals on their use of NDAs in formal business transactions and in informal consultative sessions. I find positive attitudes toward the use of NDAs in formal business transactions such as in strategic partnerships but limited use of NDAs in informal consultative sessions.

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  1. Florida Atlantic University, 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton, FL, 33432, USA

    Abiola O. Fanimokun

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  1. Abiola O. Fanimokun
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Correspondence to Abiola O. Fanimokun.

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Fanimokun, A.O. The use of NDAs in the IT service sector. Serv Bus 4, 123–136 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11628-009-0076-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11628-009-0076-4

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