We're Leaking, and Everything's Fine: How and Why Companies Deliberately Leak Secrets

Posted: 8 Dec 2015

See all articles by David R. Hannah

David R. Hannah

Simon Fraser University - Management and Organizational Studies Area

Ian P. McCarthy

Simon Fraser University (SFU) - Beedie School of Business

Jan Kietzmann

Segal Graduate School of Business

Multiple version iconThere are 2 versions of this paper

Date Written: December 6, 2015

Abstract

Although the protection of secrets is often vital to the survival of organizations, at other times organizations can benefit by deliberately leaking secrets to outsiders. We explore how and why this is the case. We identify two dimensions of leaks: (1) whether the information in the leak is factual or concocted and (2) whether leaks are conducted overtly or covertly. Using these two dimensions, we identify four types of leaks: informing, dissembling, misdirecting, and provoking. We also provide a framework to help managers decide whether or not they should leak secrets.

Suggested Citation

Hannah, David R. and McCarthy, Ian P. and Kietzmann, Jan, We're Leaking, and Everything's Fine: How and Why Companies Deliberately Leak Secrets (December 6, 2015). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2699947

David R. Hannah (Contact Author)

Simon Fraser University - Management and Organizational Studies Area ( email )

8888 University Drive
Burnaby, British Colombia V5A 1S6
Canada

Ian P. McCarthy

Simon Fraser University (SFU) - Beedie School of Business ( email )

8888 University Drive
Burnaby, British Columbia V5A 1S6
Canada

Jan Kietzmann

Segal Graduate School of Business ( email )

500 Granville Street
Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 1W6
Canada
7787825187 (Phone)

HOME PAGE: http://beedie.sfu.ca/profiles/JanKietzmann

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