Developing and testing a framework for matching distinct personality types with information security awareness methods

Purpose This study aims to develop and test a framework to associate learning styles and social influencing vulnerabilities with different personality types in the context of tailoring information security awareness (ISA) methods for people with different personality types. Design/methodology/approach The framework was developed following directed content analysis and applied to match distinct personality types with ISA methods identified through a systematic literature search. The directed content analysis was conducted in two parts: a) Describe and identify keywords for the DISC (dominance [D], inducement [I], submission [S] and compliance [C]) personality types, Kolb’s learning styles and Cialdini’s social influencing principles; b) Identify the relationships between personality types, learning styles and social influencing vulnerabilities and create the PLS (i.e. personality types, learning styles and social influencing vulnerabilities) framework. As a result, four relationships are identified for each distinct personality type in the PLS framework. Findings The study has theoretically demonstrated the framework’s feasibility of finding best-matched ISA methods for distinct personality types, considering their linked learning style and social influencing vulnerabilities. Research limitations/implications The study provides two main theoretical contributions: 1) PLS framework: presenting the relationship of personality types with their linked learning style and their social influencing vulnerabilities; 2) Examples of matching distinct personality types with ISA methods, including suggestions for a theoretically best matched ISA method. Therefore, this study contributes to building a sound theoretical ground for tailoring ISA methods for people with different personality types. In addition, the derived keywords are helpful to capture a good understanding of the different dimensions of the selected theories. Furthermore, following the examples provided in this paper, the developed PLS framework can be used as a base for managers to use ISA methods for people with different personality types in organizations. Practical implications Furthermore, following the examples provided in this paper, the developed PLS framework can be used as a base for managers to employ ISA methods for people with different personality types in organizations. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first of its kind in developing and testing a framework for matching distinct personality types with information security awareness methods.