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Extended model of online privacy concern: what drives consumers’ decisions?

Ivan-Damir Anic (Department for Innovation, Business Economics and Business Sectors, Institute of Economics, Zagreb, Croatia)
Jelena Budak (Department for Innovation, Business Economics and Business Sectors, Institute of Economics, Zagreb, Croatia)
Edo Rajh (Department for Innovation, Business Economics and Business Sectors, Institute of Economics, Zagreb, Croatia)
Vedran Recher (Department for Innovation, Business Economics and Business Sectors, Institute of Economics, Zagreb, Croatia)
Vatroslav Skare (Department for Innovation, Business Economics and Business Sectors, Institute of Economics, Zagreb, Croatia)
Bruno Skrinjaric (Department for Innovation, Business Economics and Business Sectors, Institute of Economics, Zagreb, Croatia)

Online Information Review

ISSN: 1468-4527

Article publication date: 11 October 2018

Issue publication date: 3 September 2019

2148

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between individual and societal determinants of online privacy concern (OPC) and behavioral intention of internet users. The study also aims to assess the degree of reciprocity between consumers’ perceived benefits of using the internet and their OPC in the context of their decision-making process in the online environment.

Design/methodology/approach

The study proposes comprehensive model for analysis of antecedents and consequences of OPC. Empirical analysis is performed using the PLS–SEM approach on a representative sample of 2,060 internet users.

Findings

The findings show that computer anxiety and perceived quality of regulatory framework are significant antecedents of OPC, while traditional values and inclinations toward security, family and social order; and social trust are not. Furthermore, the study reveals that perceived benefits of using the internet are the predominant factor explaining the intention to share personal information and adopt new technologies, while OPC dominates in explanation of protective behavior.

Research limitations/implications

Although the authors tested an extended model, there might be other individual characteristics driving the level of OPC. This research covers just one country and further replications should be conducted to confirm findings in diverse socio-economic contexts. It is impossible to capture the real behavior with survey data, and experimental studies may be needed to verify the research model.

Practical implications

Managers should work toward maximizing perceived benefits of consumers’ online interaction with the company, while at the same time being transparent about the gathered data and their intended purpose. Considering the latter, companies should clearly communicate their compliance with the emerging new data protection regulation.

Originality/value

New extended model is developed and empirically tested, consolidating current different streams of research into one conceptual model.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by Croatian Science Foundation under the Project 7913.

Citation

Anic, I.-D., Budak, J., Rajh, E., Recher, V., Skare, V. and Skrinjaric, B. (2019), "Extended model of online privacy concern: what drives consumers’ decisions?", Online Information Review, Vol. 43 No. 5, pp. 799-817. https://doi.org/10.1108/OIR-10-2017-0281

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited

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