A Framework for Identity Fraud Management in Mobile Commerce: A case of online retail organisations in the UK

Abstract

Mobile commerce (m-commerce) provides remarkable opportunities for online retail organisations, but also poses the risk of identity-related frauds. Due to the propensity of these frauds through mobile devices, approaches used by retail organisations are ineffective for management of identity frauds in m-commerce. Online retail organisations need a guiding framework for the evaluation of approaches used for identity fraud management. In addition, very little research has been conducted on identity frauds and methods of evaluation of the approaches to combat it in m-commerce. To better understand these issues and address the missing link, this study explores the types and possible methods of identity-related frauds in m-commerce and evaluates approaches.
The fraud management lifecycle framework Wilhelm (2004) has been extended to include the evaluation of identity fraud management approaches. A qualitative approach to data collection was adopted and case study research methods were applied. Three large online retail organisations based in the UK were selected for data collection. In all, 36 semi-structured interviews were conducted from staff involved in online business management, information security, and related areas. Where possible, internal documents were also collected. Wilhelm’s (2004) framework was adopted to underpin this research. The reliability of the questionnaire was tested through a pilot study.
The results were analysed using a thematic approach. Both inductive and deductive approaches were used to explore themes at each stage of the framework. The cross-case analysis approach adopted to compare the results of the three case studies was also reflected through extant literature. This study found that most of the identity frauds are committed through mobile devices while online organisations are using traditional e-commerce approaches, which are not equally effective in m-commerce. Furthermore, these approaches have never been evaluated in m-commerce, which is a major cause of increasing identity fraud.
This is the first study to evaluate the existing identity fraud management approaches in m-commerce. This research has identified the weaknesses and limitations in the approaches used in identity fraud management. The study also suggests guidelines to improve existing approaches and some new approaches. Finally, the Wilhelm (2004) framework has been extended to evaluate identity fraud management approaches in m-commerce.
The study provides in-depth understanding about the process of identity fraud management, which consists of the methods, approaches, and strategies that online organisations have adopted. In this research, guidelines are suggested to evaluate the identity fraud management approached in m-commerce. This will help online organisations to understand the weaknesses in existing approaches and improve the performance in m-commerce identity fraud management. This study will also help online organisations to control the fraud losses and could provide them with a competitive edge in the industry.