Individual intellectual capital, creative process engagement and information security policy compliance

Purpose Based on the conservation of resources (COR) theory, this study investigates how individual intellectual capital (IIC) influences information security policy compliance (ISPC). Specifically, it examines the mediating roles of creative process engagement (CPE) and compliance knowledge (CKN) in the IIC–ISPC relationship, as well as the moderating effect of perceived job insecurity (JIS). Design/methodology/approach Data were collected via a questionnaire survey of employees in China, yielding 160 valid responses. The hypotheses were tested using partial least squares structural equation modeling. Findings The findings reveal that CPE and CKN significantly mediate the relationship between IIC and ISPC, while JIS negatively moderates the CKN–ISPC linkage. Practical implications This study underscores the importance of IIC in information security management and suggests that organizations should enhance their focus on CKN and CPE. By doing so, employees’ investment and loss awareness can be increased separately, which in turn promotes ISPC. Additionally, the results highlight the necessity of mitigating JIS in practice, especially in the current context where generative AI is widely applied in the workplace. Originality/value This study pioneers the exploration of the relationship between IIC and ISPC. It presents theoretical novelty by integrating the COR theory and the novel consideration of CPE’s mediating role.