Challenges of organizational diversity and interdependence on GDPR compliance behaviour

Abstract

This thesis investigates whether organizational diversity and interdependence lead to symbolic GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) implementation. The difference between symbolic or meaningful (substantive) GDPR implementation within an organization is defined by the behaviour of employees measured by GDPR compliance behaviour assessment.

GDPR compliance behaviour is measured using a self-assessment of four influencing factors: education or training, evaluation, involvement and motivation. Organizational diversity and interdependence are two multidimensional concepts described from an internal market-driven perspective. The reliability and validity of the constructs organizational diversity and interdependence were impacted by extreme values in the data and the need to categorize these constructs. The relationship of organizational diversity and interdependence with GDPR compliance behaviour can be influenced by adaptive governance (an internal organizational capacity that defines the response to change) and the market environment. The adaptive governance and the market environment are moderating variables.

The relationship between organizational diversity and interdependence with GDPR compliance behaviour was not significant while the moderating variable adaptive governance made the regression significant. Additional analyses showed that a higher organizational adaptive governance relates to a better GDPR compliance behaviour.

Date of Award	9 Nov 2021
Original language	English
Supervisor	Laury Bollen (Examiner) & Rachelle Bosua (Co-assessor)