Social capital influence on cyber security initiative: case study rural maritime in east coast peninsular Malaysia
Marhaini Mohd Noor, Azizan Zainuddin, Nor Aziah Alias, Nor Hafizah Mohamed Harith · Australian Journal of Maritime & Ocean Affairs · 2025
In the context of social capital on rural maritime community development, previous studies show that social capital strongly affects internet use in the maritime area. In particular, the study’s main objective was to determine how social capital affects cyber security initiatives: a case of rural maritime in East Coast Peninsular Malaysia. The study employed a mixed-method design, combining survey responses from 425 participants (out of 450 targeted) with qualitative insights from interviews with 12 local officials and community members. Key findings showed that civic engagement scored 0.689 and social networks had a statistical impact score of 0.877, highlighting their significance in influencing cybersecurity practices. This study makes three significant contributions: (1) expanding our understanding of how social capital and cybersecurity interact in rural maritime environments; (2) offering practical advice on how to improve the well-being of rural communities by encouraging better internet adoption and safe practices; and (3) highlighting the importance of a mixed-method approach for a thorough comprehension of this intricate problem. The results open the door for more research on integrated frameworks that connect cybersecurity and social capital.