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Conceptual Framework

Conceptual Framework
According to Creswell (2014), the conceptual framework does create a logical chain of evidence through which the researcher does test and verify conclusions. The conceptual framework is usually developed so as to generate a comprehensive understanding of the applicability of employee involvement in project management. Involvement in decision-making is the independent variable while the goal achievement is the dependent variable.

Goal Setting Theory
The identified conceptual framework for this study is based on Goal Setting Theory. The goal setting theory normally assumes that a direct relationship does exist between the definition of the measurable and specific goals and the performance. The researcher, Edwin Locke primarily developed the theory when he started the goal setting research in 1960s (Locke & Latham 1979). Goal setting theory does involve the process of establishing levels of performance so as to obtain the desired outcomes. Based on the theory, it purport that the source of motivation involves the desire and the intention to reach a particular goal. According to Armstrong (2013), when managers know what they aim at achieving, they are motivated to put more effort that increases performance. The goal setting theory was advanced by Armstrong (2013), who emphasize on goal setting and encouragement of decision rights as the basis for employee performance. When the management allows the employees to get involved in decision-making on matters concerning them and the organization, it tends to increase the employee’s commitment. Employee involvement in decision-making wins the commitment of employees and when the management can win the employee’s commitment; it does increase job satisfaction and motivate employees to work hard.

Taking responsibility for the results requires that the members of the organization receive a chance to influence their results favorably and have freedom of taking action. Based on the theory, the decision rights tend to allow greater involvement of employees in deciding issues that do affect their work Armstrong (2013), He argues that employees are likely to meet their performance goals when they are empowered with authority to make decisions and also solve problems that relate to the results that they are accountable. The goals of an organization represent a shared responsibility among all its employees each of whom has a role in the success of the organization. The contribution of the employees tends to be a starting point for enumerating the results of which they are accountable. Thus, the goal setting theory is used in developing the study’s conceptual framework.

The employee can contribute significantly towards achieving the objectives and the goals of the organization. Hence, it is essential that the organization should have knowledge of the various factors that affect the behavior of their staff so as to bring out the best in these employees. Because of this, the researcher selects the goal setting theory as the conceptual framework for the study. The goal setting theory tends to be one of the most practical and influential theories of motivation. Several studies have been conducted to support the theory, and there tends to be a strong support that is setting goals related to performance improvement. The aim of the study is to examine how employee involvement in decision-making predicts goal achievement. Locke suggests that goals normally tell an employee what they need to do and how much effort should be expended (Latham, 2004). The theory does suggest that specific goals tend to increase performance and that the difficult goals when they are accepted do lead to higher performance.

From the theory, it suggests the significance of setting difficult goals as it leads to the increase in the likelihood of goal achievement. Locke postulated that through employee involvement and participation in goal setting, the employees are likely to participating in the goals and increasing performance; thus, enhancing the job satisfaction (Latham & Locke 2006). Goal setting tends to be an effective strategy of affecting performance through employee involvement, participation, and providing feedback. The involvement of the employee in setting goal tends to direct the behavior of the employee, and it contributes to higher performance than the absence of feedback and the lack of involvement. Latham, (2004) claims that difficult goals normally lead to participation through involvement employees in decision making and setting goals, enhanced employee-employer relations and also improved performance through producing high levels of planning and effort. Hence, goal setting may be an effective strategy for influence performance through enhances the initiatives of employee involvement by providing regular feedback and appropriate communication (Locke et al. 2010).

According to Latham & Locke (2006), the employee involvement in decision-making does include the process that results in some degree of transfer of then decision control and the responsibility from the superior to his subordinates. The participation in the setting of the work goals tends to fall in this definition as employee’s determination of goals is the transfer of the decision control and the responsibilities from the superior to the subordinates. Locke et al. (2010) conclude that participation in goal setting leads to increased performance. Erez et al. (1985) conducted a study to investigate the impact that participation in goal setting has on goal acceptance and the performance of the American college students. The researchers hypothesized that the level of the goal acceptance would increase as participation increased and participation influence performance through influence on acceptance. The study by Erez et al. (1985) revealed that the participative and representative goal setting increased the individual goal acceptance and the goal acceptance contributed to the performance. Locke et al. (2010) state that the involvement of employees in decision-making may contribute to the development of an effective strategy for attaining the goals that in turn increase the self-efficacy of the participant that the goal is attainable.

An examination of the goal setting theory, purport that the participation of the employee in setting the goal makes the goals to be more acceptable and it also leads to more involvement. With regards to involvement in setting the goals, the employees need to ensure that they have the necessary skills, abilities, and knowledge for reaching the goals. When the employees do not have the necessary skills, setting the outcome goals, have indicated to result in a lower level of performance (Seijts & Latham, 2005). Seijts & Latham (2005) state that people are more likely to feel helpless when they do not have the ability to reach the goals and making it difficult to achieve the goals.

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Analysis of the global risks and threats to today’s businesses

Introduction
The present business world has many underlying risks and threats that require practical risk management strategies to handle. Businesses have a major role in ensuring that their operations are not under threat from the increasing risks. The hackers, cyber criminals, and other fraudsters are persistently looking for ways of stealing the corporate data for ulterior motives. Corporate organizations have the different genre of information including personal data for their clients and customers, their health care data, financial records, and other sensitive information. As such, the increased data breaches, cyber security risks, and vulnerability make business have determination in developing countermeasures to protect their valuable assets. The business has an objective of minimizing the impact of both the known and the unknown threats. The paper provides an analysis of the risks and threats faced by businesses today and also the effective strategies for handling them.

Common Risks and Threats
A Risk is a likelihood of an attack being successful due to exposure to a given threat. Risk analysis focuses on determining the most important potential security breaches and addressing them. Risk analysis for business helps to establish the appropriate security budgeting to address the issues.

Threats are the source and means of attack. An assessment of the threats helps to determine the best approaches to securing a system from attack. The major focus of threat analysis is to assess the attacker’s resources. It is different to risk assessment in which it focuses on analyzing the potential of an organization’s resources falling prey to attacks.

The span of the period between 2013 and 2014 saw a rise in data breaches targeting global companies. IT security is no longer a mere concern but a global news story. There are numerous data leaks, corporate espionage, and cyber crimes that negatively impact the face of IT security in the organizations. The cyber risks are evolving rapidly and in many areas. The targets of the cyber-criminals continue to increase with the latest being governments and big companies. The main focus of targeting the governments is to undermine the national security and infrastructure. Many businesses have challenges in maintaining their reputation online following the many data breaches. The impact of risks and threats facing organizations and governments lies in the economy in which there is a likelihood of digital disintegration. Cyberspace has immense potential if well utilized, but the strengthening of the attacks will undermine the underlying potential.

Most of the risks and threats target the security of the information stored in the databases. It calls for new regulatory requirements in changing how to handle the security functions. The confidentiality, integrity, and reliability of data are an important aspect that every business should uphold. The exposure of data and sensitive information to fraudsters renders the organization vulnerable to data breaches. It is necessary to comply with the emerging regulations on data privacy and other controls that ensure that organizations maintain data security. Threats are difficult to control, but businesses can minimize their impact by working on particular effective strategies. On the contrary, businesses can manage the risks to reduce their vulnerability and the overall impact (Viney, 2011).

The common high-risk security threats to businesses are network norms that attack through phishing emails and some downloads. The business can be liable to data sniffing from its network if it’s open. The internet hackers and other cyber criminals attack the networks that lack proper security measures (Jahankhani, Fernando & Nkhoma, 2009).

Businesses face increased risks to data security due to the proliferation of their networks by widespread use of mobile devices in handling business operations. At present, many organizations have the BYOD policy. The policy allows the staff to carry their devices to work and access the company data on them. As such, the security of the data remains at stake since the company cannot control the device. Many fraudsters and hackers understand the potential that the devices have in cyberspace and thus device dubious ways of attacking them. The risks and threats that face businesses require practical risk management strategies to handle (Axelrod, Bayuk & Schutzer, 2009).

Strategies to deal with the evolving business threats
The presence of disgruntled employees in the IT department is likely to cause internal attacks to the data and the system. Most of the rogue employees can have access to the network, data centers, and the administrator accounts and cause serious damage. The mitigation to the issue is identifying all the liable accounts and credentials that are under threat and terminate them. Internal attacks from employees are the major threats that affect organizations since the employees have access to sensitive details about the organization. Thus, the termination of their privileged credentials of the internal staff helps to prevent attacks (Cole & Ring, 2006).

Data thefts is a high vulnerability issue when employees use their mobile devices to share data, access the company information, and fail to change their passwords. Many companies that allow BYOD face the risk of exposure on the corporate network if a malware application or software installs on the devices. The solution to the problem has policies that address the BYOD issue. The BYOD policy allows the employees to acquire knowledge on the proper management of their devices and also the company expectations (Partow-Navid & Slusky, 2008). The policy also allows monitoring of the emails and documents downloaded to the company through the devices. The monitoring measures in place provide the companies with visibility in mobile related data loss risks (Axelrod, Bayuk & Schutzer, 2009).

The other strategy is patching applications. Most of the applications used on the core operating system have unique patching methods and requirements. It is essential to have them on a single process. Many cyber intrusions occur through applications. However, many organizations do not patch the common applications in use rendering them liable to attack (Viney, 2011). The scenario increases the attack surface of the system and other systems sharing the network due to un-patching the applications. The malicious network attackers often take advantage of the vulnerabilities in the applications for them to gain easy access to the network. The organizations should use updated software that has increased protection against the malicious attacks.

Another strategy involves securing a network and accounts with strong and encrypted passwords that are difficult to encode by an attacker. The method ensures that any malicious activities on a network do not lead to a successful attack. The passwords should also have a review and update within scheduled periods. Encryption is a safe way of minimizing the effects of a risk and threat since the hackers do not have access to the vital data and information.

Conclusion
Businesses are under threat and also face many risks in conducting their operations effectively. They face threats in data security that renders them vulnerable to attack by fraudsters, hackers, and cybercriminals. The hackers and cyber criminals devise different methods of ensuring that they have access to the vital corporate information. However, a business with proper strategies in handling the risks and threats reduces the underlying negative impacts. The effective and practical strategies discussed include encryption, use of patch management on the applications, and avoiding internal attacks by rogue employees

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