title: Determinants of unlawful file sharing: a scoping review.
abstract: We employ a scoping review methodology to consider and assess the existing evidence on the determinants of unlawful file sharing (UFS) transparently and systematically. Based on the evidence, we build a simple conceptual framework to model the psychological decision to engage in UFS, purchase legally or do nothing. We identify social, moral, experiential, technical, legal and financial utility sources of the decision to purchase or to file share. They interact in complex ways. We consider the strength of evidence within these areas and note patterns of results. There is good evidence for influences on UFS within each of the identified determinants, particularly for self-reported measures, with more behavioral research needed. There are also indications that the reasons for UFS differ across media; more studies exploring media other than music are required.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Lancaster University, Lancaster, Lancashire, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Steven James
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Watson
authors.affiliation: BENC and Newcastle University Business School, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Daniel John
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Zizzo
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, University of East Anglia, Norwich, Norfolk, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Piers
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Fleming
mesh_terms: D003219:Confidentiality; D030881:Disclosure; D033181:Information Dissemination / Q000379:methods*; D016247:Information Storage and Retrieval / Q000379:methods*