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The business value of privacy-preserving technologies: the case of multiparty computation in the telecom industry

Hosea Ofe (Department of Engineering, Systems and Services, Faculty of Technology, Policy and Management Delft University of Technology Delft, The Netherlands)
Harm Minnema (Department of Engineering, Systems and Services, Faculty of Technology, Policy and Management Delft University of Technology Delft, The Netherlands)
Mark de Reuver (Department of Engineering, Systems and Services, Faculty of Technology, Policy and Management Delft University of Technology Delft, The Netherlands)

Digital Policy, Regulation and Governance

ISSN: 2398-5038

Article publication date: 14 October 2022

Issue publication date: 7 December 2022

190

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to propose a framework for how privacy-preserving technologies (PETs) create business value for organizations. The framework was developed by examining the literature on privacy and information technology’s impact (symbolic and function). The authors evaluate the framework’s applicability using multiparty computation (MPC) as an instance of PETs, with expert interviews in the telecommunication industry.

Design/methodology/approach

In an illustrative case of four telecommunication companies, the authors conducted semi-structured interviews with experts and used MPC as an instance of PET.

Findings

The evaluation of the framework indicates that PETs create business value for organizations: enhancing customer interactions, sales, personalized services, predicting market trends and collaboration among organizations. The findings show that business value of PETs is mainly driven by consumers and organizations willing to share data and collaborate.

Research limitations/implications

This study was limited to the telecom sector and focused on MPC as an instance of PET. Further studies should be conducted to explore the benefits of other PETs and MPC. Future research could find out if this framework is also helpful for implementing other PETs or even other types of technology. The authors’ framework provides factors that future studies can use to quantify the impact of PETs. The authors hope that this framework provides an overarching reference for organizations considering the adoption of PETs.

Practical implications

The authors’ findings inform managers in exploring the business value of PETs for organizations. This study also provides insights into which costs and risks to consider when implementing PETs.

Originality/value

This study is one of the few to propose a framework on how PETs create business value for organizations. Future research can use factors in the framework (e.g. customer interactions, sales, personalized services and market trend prediction) to conduct a quantitative study on PETs’ business value. Managers adopting PETs can use the framework to identify areas where PETs impact their organization.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The research leading to these results was supported by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme, under Grant Agreement no 825225–Safe Data-Enabled Economic Development (Safe-DEED). The work was also supported by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme, under Grant Agreement no 871481–Trusted Secure Data Sharing Space (TRUSTS).

Citation

Ofe, H., Minnema, H. and de Reuver, M. (2022), "The business value of privacy-preserving technologies: the case of multiparty computation in the telecom industry", Digital Policy, Regulation and Governance, Vol. 24 No. 6, pp. 541-557. https://doi.org/10.1108/DPRG-10-2021-0132

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2022, Emerald Publishing Limited

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