Subjective norm and the privacy calculus: Explaining self-disclosure on social networking sites

Wirth J, Maier C, Laumer S (2019)

Publication Language: English

Publication Type: Conference contribution, Conference Contribution

Publication year: 2019

Conference Proceedings Title: Proceedings of the 2019 European Conference on Information Systems

Event location: Stockholm, Sweden SE

Abstract

The privacy calculus postulates that individuals disclose information when benefits outweigh privacy risks. Despite its wide applicability, research has also challenged the privacy calculus. It was shown that individuals disclose information even if benefits do not outweigh privacy risks. Two explanations have been provided: On the one hand, perceptions might lead to a miscalculation of benefits and privacy risks. On the other hand, additional concepts might alter the effect of benefits and privacy risks on disclosure. In this research study we provide a third explanation: We suggest subjective norm to be a factor which overlies the effect of benefits and privacy risk. Subjective norm is the perceived social pressure of individuals that other important referents around expect the individual to undertake a certain behavior. To integrate subjective norm into the privacy calculus, we use the theory of reasoned action as our theoretical lens. Based on a survey with 1,466 participants and a covariance-based structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis, we can conclude that subjective norm has the strongest effect on disclosure. The results contribute to theory in the privacy domain, by questioning in how far the privacy calculus can be considered, without taking the environment into consideration. 

 

Authors with CRIS profile

Sven Laumer Schöller Endowed Chair for Information Systems (Digitalization in Business and Society)

Involved external institutions

Otto-Friedrich-Universität Bamberg DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Wirth, J., Maier, C., & Laumer, S. (2019). Subjective norm and the privacy calculus: Explaining self-disclosure on social networking sites. In European Conference on Information Systems (ECIS) (Eds.), Proceedings of the 2019 European Conference on Information Systems. Stockholm, Sweden, SE.

MLA:

Wirth, Jakob, Christian Maier, and Sven Laumer. "Subjective norm and the privacy calculus: Explaining self-disclosure on social networking sites." Proceedings of the Proceedings of the 2019 European Conference on Information Systems, Stockholm, Sweden Ed. European Conference on Information Systems (ECIS), 2019.

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