The social contract theory meets cybersecurity : systematic
literature review

J 2025

The social contract theory meets cybersecurity : systematic literature review

KLEINER, Jan

Základní údaje

Originální název

The social contract theory meets cybersecurity : systematic literature review

Autoři

KLEINER, Jan

Vydání

Digital Policy, Regulation and Governance, Leeds, Emerald, 2025, 2398-5038

Další údaje

Jazyk

angličtina

Typ výsledku

Článek v odborném periodiku

Obor

50601 Political science

Stát vydavatele

Velká Británie a Severní Irsko

Utajení

není předmětem státního či obchodního tajemství

Odkazy

Odkaz na článek

Impakt faktor

Impact factor: 2.700 v roce 2024

Označené pro přenos do RIV

Ano

Organizační jednotka

Fakulta sociálních studií

Klíčová slova anglicky

social contract theory; governance; cybersecurity; privacy; artificial intelligence; society-in-the-loop; integrative social contract theory

Štítky

rivok

Příznaky

Mezinárodní význam, Recenzováno

Změněno: 25. 3. 2026 14:04, Mgr. Blanka Farkašová

Anotace

V originále

Purpose This study aims to provide a comprehensive overview of social contract theory (SCT) utilization in cybersecurity literature, elucidating the current state of research, identifying major applications and themes and highlighting gaps, particularly in empirical studies, and the integration of emerging technologies. The study also maps the contractual parties and governance tools discussed in SCT and cyberspace interactions. Design/methodology/approach This study uses a systematic literature review to investigate the application of SCT within the cybersecurity domain. Using a mixed-methods approach that combines quantitative and qualitative content analysis with the Grounded Theory strategy, over 30,000 documents were initially screened. The final data set comprised 873 peer-reviewed papers from multiple databases. MAXQDA software facilitated coding and thematic analysis to identify key SCT applications, governance tools and research gaps. Findings The review revealed the following: emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain are sparsely researched within the SCT-cyberspace intersection, yet they offer solutions to various SCT-related issues; empirical studies are underrepresented, with theoretical explorations dominating the discourse; there is a notable gap in integrating emerging technologies such as AI within SCT frameworks; governance tools discussed are varied, including economic incentives, regulatory measures and informational strategies. Originality/value This study synthesizes SCT applications in cybersecurity, highlighting the interdisciplinary nature and potential for richer theoretical integration. By systematically mapping the literature, it identifies crucial gaps and offers a foundation for future empirical and theoretical research. The findings emphasize the importance of considering traditional SCT themes and contemporary technological contexts, contributing to the development of more robust frameworks for cyberspace governance.

Návaznosti

MUNI/A/1550/2024, interní kód MU

Název: Aktuální problémy politologického výzkumu XI.

Investor: Masarykova univerzita, Aktuální problémy politologického výzkumu XI.

Citovat

KLEINER, Jan. The social contract theory meets cybersecurity : systematic literature review. Digital Policy, Regulation and Governance. Leeds: Emerald, 2025, roč. 27, č. 4, s. 446-465. ISSN 2398-5038. Dostupné z: https://doi.org/10.1108/DPRG-06-2024-0118.

@article{2438862,
   author = {Kleiner, Jan},
   article_location = {Leeds},
   article_number = {4},
   doi = {https://doi.org/10.1108/DPRG-06-2024-0118},
   keywords = {social contract theory; governance; cybersecurity; privacy; artificial intelligence; society-in-the-loop; integrative social contract theory},
   language = {eng},
   issn = {2398-5038},
   journal = {Digital Policy, Regulation and Governance},
   title = {The social contract theory meets cybersecurity : systematic literature review},
   url = {https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/DPRG-06-2024-0118/full/html},
   volume = {27},
   year = {2025}
}

TY  - JOUR
ID  - 2438862
AU  - Kleiner, Jan
PY  - 2025
TI  - The social contract theory meets cybersecurity : systematic literature review
JF  - Digital Policy, Regulation and Governance
VL  - 27
IS  - 4
SP  - 446-465
EP  - 446-465
PB  - Emerald
SN  - 23985038
KW  - social contract theory
KW  - governance
KW  - cybersecurity
KW  - privacy
KW  - artificial intelligence
KW  - society-in-the-loop
KW  - integrative social contract theory
UR  - https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/DPRG-06-2024-0118/full/html
N2  - Purpose This study aims to provide a comprehensive overview of social contract theory (SCT) utilization in cybersecurity literature, elucidating the current state of research, identifying major applications and themes and highlighting gaps, particularly in empirical studies, and the integration of emerging technologies. The study also maps the contractual parties and governance tools discussed in SCT and cyberspace interactions. Design/methodology/approach This study uses a systematic literature review to investigate the application of SCT within the cybersecurity domain. Using a mixed-methods approach that combines quantitative and qualitative content analysis with the Grounded Theory strategy, over 30,000 documents were initially screened. The final data set comprised 873 peer-reviewed papers from multiple databases. MAXQDA software facilitated coding and thematic analysis to identify key SCT applications, governance tools and research gaps. Findings The review revealed the following: emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain are sparsely researched within the SCT-cyberspace intersection, yet they offer solutions to various SCT-related issues; empirical studies are underrepresented, with theoretical explorations dominating the discourse; there is a notable gap in integrating emerging technologies such as AI within SCT frameworks; governance tools discussed are varied, including economic incentives, regulatory measures and informational strategies. Originality/value This study synthesizes SCT applications in cybersecurity, highlighting the interdisciplinary nature and potential for richer theoretical integration. By systematically mapping the literature, it identifies crucial gaps and offers a foundation for future empirical and theoretical research. The findings emphasize the importance of considering traditional SCT themes and contemporary technological contexts, contributing to the development of more robust frameworks for cyberspace governance.
ER  -

KLEINER, Jan. The social contract theory meets cybersecurity : systematic literature review. \textit{Digital Policy, Regulation and Governance}. Leeds: Emerald, 2025, roč.~27, č.~4, s.~446-465. ISSN~2398-5038. Dostupné z: https://doi.org/10.1108/DPRG-06-2024-0118.

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