Social Networking Sites Providers Research Articles

Self-Disclosure on Professional Social Networking Sites: A Privacy Calculus Perspective

The prevalence of social networking sites (SNS) raises questions about what information is private and what is not. Some users willingly share information on the site expecting some benefits, but others may be reluctant to do so due to fear of losing control of the shared information. To better understand the delicate relationship between privacy, perceived benefits, and self-disclosure, this study examines the antecedents of self-disclosure behavior on professional SNS (i.e., LinkedIn). A model contextualizing privacy calculus theory combined with the trust factor was developed and evaluated using 661 quantitative data collected through a questionnaire. Then, the data was analyzed using covariance-based structural equation modeling method. The results show that perceived benefit (e.g., self-presentation, career advancement, professional network development, learning, and information exchange), privacy concerns, and perceived control are the factors that directly influence LinkedIn users to disclose personal information. These factors become significant predictors of self-disclosure behavior. Meanwhile, trust in LinkedIn members, perceived severity, and perceived likelihood indirectly influence self-disclosure through privacy concerns. Finally, perceived control directly influences trust in LinkedIn members and trust in the LinkedIn provider. The findings of this study help to understand SNS users' behavior, particularly self-disclosure behavior. SNS users can become more aware of the benefits and risks of their disclosure behavior, allowing them to make more informed decisions. These findings can also be helpful for SNS providers to improve product experience and strategy by effectively encouraging and facilitating self-disclosure practices.

Effects of social networking site overloads on discontinuous intentions of users: a moderated mediation analysis

ABSTRACT Pervasive social networking sites (SNSs) access has forced people to pay continuous attention to the overwhelming volume of information which ultimately increases their usage. The extensive use of SNSs has contributed to the overuse of technology and that can lead to overload which may produce negative behavioural consequences. This study used cognitive load theory as foundation of the model to examine the effect of overloads and discontinuous intentions incorporating SNS addiction, social media self-efficacy and SNS fatigue. To test the proposed model and hypothesis, a total of 371 Chinese university students participated in the study. Findings reveal that information and communication overload exert a direct impact on SNS addiction, and the relationship between SNS addiction and discontinuous intentions amongst users is negatively significant. The moderated mediation analysis result indicates that social media self-efficacy moderates the mediating effect of SNS addiction between overloads (information and communication) and discontinuous intentions. Moreover, the relationship between SNS addiction and discontinuous intentions is partially mediated by SNS fatigue. Implications emphasise that SNS providers should effectively prevent the negative behavioural response of SNS users by providing training on the effective use of SNSs.

Forming digital identities in social networks: the role of privacy concerns and self-esteem

Purpose This paper aims to identify the data elements that social network sites (SNS) users consider important for shaping their digital identity and explore how users’ privacy concerns, self-esteem and the chosen SNS shape this process. Design/methodology/approach This study conducted an online survey with the participation of 759 individuals, to examine the influence of privacy concerns, self-esteem and the chosen SNS platform, on the shaping of the digital identity, through a classification of identity elements that users disclose when using a SNS, the Rosenberg self-esteem scale and relevant constructs from the literature. Findings Findings reveal that users consider the name, gender, picture, interests and job as most important elements for shaping their digital identity. They also demonstrate that privacy concerns do not seem to affect the amount of information users choose to publish when shaping their digital identity. Specific characteristics of SNS platforms are found to affect the way that users shape their digital identity and their privacy behavior. Finally, self-esteem was found to affect privacy concerns and digital identity formation. Research limitations/implications To avoid a lengthy questionnaire and the risk of low participation, the respondents answered the questions for one SNS of their choice instead of answering the full questionnaire for each SNS that they use. The survey included the most popular SNSs at the time of the survey in terms of popularity. Practical implications The results contribute to the theory by furthering our knowledge on the elements that shape digital identity and by providing evidence with regard to the role of privacy and self-esteem within social networking. In practice, they can be useful for SNS providers, as well as for entities that design security and privacy awareness campaigns. Originality/value This paper identifies novel factors that influence digital identity formation, including the specific SNS used with its particular characteristics in combination with privacy concerns and self-esteem of the user.

Investigating Brand Page Engagement in the SNS Marketing Context

Customer engagement has been the main objective of brand companies in their marketing through social networking sites (SNS). Facebook is the most popular platform for SNS marketing, especially for companies that try to engage with their customers by providing various values through their brand pages (i.e., brand communities). The management of brand pages, therefore, becomes “the means” by which to achieve the result (“the end”) of SNS marketing, and visitors to the brand pages (i.e., brand communities) then come to have a favorable attitude toward the brand. Based on a “means–ends” framework, this study examines the development of engagement between customers and brands in terms of brand page engagement as the means objective and brand attitude as the ends objective in the context of Facebook. This study further examines the antecedents and consequences of brand page engagement based on the customer value theory with two-stage data collection. This study contributes to the literature by explaining the roles and effects of brand page engagement in SNS marketing. This study further provides guidance to SNS providers and practitioners on SNS marketing strategies.

User self-disclosure on social network sites: A cross-cultural study on Facebook’s privacy concepts

This study investigates a cross-cultural comparison between Germany and Norway regarding users’ self-disclosure of personal information on social network sites (SNSs). More specifically, the study considers three antecedents of privacy, namely concerns, attitudes, and intentions, and evaluates their potential effects on self-disclosure, considering Facebook as the SNS of choice. The study employs a deductive research approach and develops a conceptual model based on the theoretical analysis. Data is collected via an online survey of users in Germany and Norway. The results show that privacy intention is the only antecedent that has a significant direct influence on users' self-disclosure of information. By contrast, neither privacy concerns nor privacy attitude have a statistically significant influence on self-disclosure. Additionally, there are statistically significant differences between the German and Norwegian samples in privacy concepts and reported self-disclosure. The results support the creation of more transparent privacy policies by SNS providers to improve targeted marketing.

Context and Privacy Concerns in Friend Request Decisions

Friend request acceptance and information disclosure constitute 2 important privacy decisions for users to control the flow of their personal information in social network sites (SNSs). These decisions are greatly influenced by contextual characteristics of the request. However, the contextual influence may not be uniform among users with different levels of privacy concerns. In this study, we hypothesize that users with higher privacy concerns may consider contextual factors differently from those with lower privacy concerns. By conducting a scenario‐based survey study and structural equation modeling, we verify the interaction effects between privacy concerns and contextual factors. We additionally find that users' perceived risk towards the requester mediates the effect of context and privacy concerns. These results extend our understanding about the cognitive process behind privacy decision making in SNSs. The interaction effects suggest strategies for SNS providers to predict user's friend request acceptance and to customize context‐aware privacy decision support based on users' different privacy attitudes.

An empirical study of purchase behaviour on social platforms

Purpose Social media users’ purchasing behaviour is yet to be fully understood by research. The purpose of this paper is to investigate how purchase intention is affected by social media user traits, cognitive factors (such as perceived control and trust) and individual beliefs, such as risk propensity and trustworthiness. Design/methodology/approach The authors propose and empirically test a model of purchase intention on social platforms. The study of over 500 active social media users finds the links between risk propensity, trust, technical efficacy and perceived control and explores the moderating effect of age and gender. Findings Purchase intention on social platforms is influenced by demographic factors, cognitive factors and beliefs. Both age and gender moderate the effects of beliefs and cognitive factors: age is a determinant of purchase intention for men, while beliefs are significant for younger women and cognitive factors are significant for older women. Research limitations/implications This study involved a cross-sectional design via online survey of social networking users. Gender differences in purchase intentions are found which are, in turn, influenced by age. Further empirical testing of social purchase intention could include less experienced users or non-users. Practical implications The results of this study provide guidance for SNS providers and technology developers in social networking commerce in terms of the different drivers of purchase intention. Originality/value Social media users’ purchasing behaviour is yet to be fully understood. The study shows that purchase intention antecedents vary between genders and age groups of users. The identified connection between users’ perceptions of social networking sites (SNS) usage of personal information and purchase behaviour has an impact on the likelihood of user engagement in social transactions.

Investigating the influences of social overload and task complexity on user engagement decrease

Based on cognitive load theory, social overload and task complexity could decrease users’ participation and interaction in social networking sites (SNSs), which might place a psychological burden on them and further influence user engagement. However, study of user engagement decrease in SNSs is lacking. Investigating the mechanism of user engagement decrease is the main purpose of this study, as user engagement is very important for the development of SNSs. Besides, the roles of social network fatigue and perceived risk are also taken into consideration, in order to analyse user engagement decrease more comprehensively. The results show that social overload and task complexity can significantly influence user engagement decrease; perceived risk also has a moderating role in these relationships. This study could help SNS providers to understand social network fatigue and user engagement decrease better, in order to help increase user engagement and create an excellent experience for SNS users.

How digital natives make their self-disclosure decisions: a cross-cultural comparison

PurposeDigital natives have become significant users of social network sites (SNSs); therefore, their disclosed personal information can be misused by SNS providers and/or other users. The purpose of this paper is to understand how digital natives make their self-disclosure decisions on SNSs, as well as whether the concept of culture can still be relevant to digital natives.Design/methodology/approachThe hypotheses were tested with survey data collected from the USA and China.FindingsThe results show that trust in SNSs and trust in SNS users are positively related to social rewards. Social rewards are positively related to intention to self-disclose, while privacy risk is positively related to privacy concerns. Further, culture significantly moderates the relationship between trust and social rewards.Research limitations/implicationsThe study clarifies the effects of different types of trust on privacy in the context of SNSs. Further, the study shows the effects of culture when digital natives make self-disclosure decisions.Practical implicationsSNS providers also need to focus on different types of trust when operating in different cultural contexts. Further, SNS providers expanding their markets should emphasize social rewards to increase the likelihood of self-disclosure.Originality/valueThe results show that while culture can still be helpful to explain digital natives’ trust beliefs, digital natives have started to converge regarding their perceptions about privacy concerns and self-disclosure.

Safe sonet: a framework for building trustworthy relationships

The advent of easy to use services and the ability to bridge boundaries in space and time has increasingly changed our social lives and com-munication habits. Being unaware of their audience people on social networks inconsiderately share many personal items. Generally Social Networking Sites (SNS) users depend on the SNS platform for managing their social identities. Although SNS providers have introduced privacy settings to protect users against threats, these are insufficient and the access control models are difficult to be understood by novice users [1]. Unexpectedly, even those who are aware of the security and privacy threats and the preventive tools that combat those threats, lack the motivation to utilize security features to protect themselves. The paper discusses a frame-work (Safe SoNet) that aims to provide a plat-form for secure sharing of posts. The objective of this framework is twofold. Firstly, to analyze user behavior by retrieving user information from various social networking sites, addressing transliteration issues. Secondly, apply the user behavior to quantify the trust score of a connect, which would in turn form a decision making parameter to decide on the peer with whom the information can be securely shared.

Understanding the determinants and dynamic process of user exodus in social networking sites: Evidence from Kaixin001

Understanding the factors and mechanism that affect the users’ abandon behaviors is necessary for the sustained use of Social Networking Sites (SNSs). This study focuses on a special SNS discontinuance phenomenon—user exodus. Compared to individual discontinuance behavior studied in prior research, the SNS user exodus possesses its own characteristics: a huge magnitude of users abandon a given SNS product in a very short time. Given the fatal blow of exodus to SNS providers, this exploratory research seeks to unravel why and how the SNS user exodus occurs. Specifically, we conducted a mixed‐method research combining laddering interview and network analysis. Drawing on the means‐end chain theory, laddering interviews were first used to collect data from discontinuers of a Chinese SNS, Kaixin001, which has experienced a severe user dropout. Then we identified various factors triggering user exodus by content analysis. Last, network analysis was employed to establish the connections between various attributes, consequences, and values. The results showed that user exodus in SNS is strongly related to three types of value: functional, affective, and social value. More important, we also emphasized the dynamics process of exodus by highlighting the role of lurking. Possible contributions and implications of our findings are discussed.

Understanding the Role of Conscious and Automatic Mechanisms in Social Networking Services: A Longitudinal Study

ABSTRACTGiven the proliferation of social networking sites (SNSs), it has become important to understand users’ continued attraction and usage of them. Previous works on information systems (IS) and marketing have paid little attention to the role of automatic mechanisms in frequently used IS such as mobile applications and SNSs. We develop an integrated framework to examine the effects of conscious and automatic mechanisms on SNS users’ postadoption behaviors. Considering the unique characteristics of SNSs, we posit user satisfaction, trust in an SNS provider, and prior SNS use as key drivers accelerating the development of SNS habitual use. Longitudinal data collected from 250 Facebook users were tested against the research model using partial least squares. The findings showed that SNS continuance usage is shaped by automatic factor as well as by reasoned conscious factor. In particular, SNS continuance usage is largely explained by SNS habit. User satisfaction, trust in an SNS provider, and prior SNS use were found to be the key enablers of developing SNS habit. Moreover, the analysis results clarify the exact role of relationship management, self-presentation, perceived enjoyment, and trust in an SNS provider in users’ decision-making processes. Implications for research and practice are described.

How does social presence influence SNS addiction? A belongingness theory perspective

This study draws on belongingness theory to explore the impact of social presence on addiction to social networking sites (SNSs). A conceptual framework was developed and empirically tested based on data collected from 278 SNS users in China. The results demonstrate that social presence is positively related to sense of belonging and enjoyment. Sense of belonging has a positive effect on enjoyment, including escapism, pleasure and arousal, but has no effect on SNS addiction. Escapism and pleasure can result in SNS addiction, but arousal has no significant influence. Drawing on a new perspective of belongingness theory, this study makes theoretical contributions related to social presence and SNS addiction, and the findings have managerial implications for SNS providers and users.

Understanding users’ switching intentions and switching behavior on social networking sites

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between social networking sites (SNSs) users’ switching intentions and switching behavior. With regard to the former, the authors focus on three factors (perceived value, trust, and perceived risk), and investigate whether and to what extent habit moderates the relationship between SNS-switching intention and actual switching behavior.Design/methodology/approachData collection for this study was carried out using an anonymous survey. The questionnaire was devised based on the literature review. It consisted of a total of 34 items, all of which used the seven-point Likert scale, and was divided into nine sections. Data collection lasted for approximately three months from March to May 2015. Data analysis used SPSS and SmartPLS statistical software packages. First, the descriptive statistics were computed. Next, reliability as a measure of internal consistency was calculated. Then, the relations between all factors were explored.FindingsBefore they switch, users usually evaluate the perceived values and risks of the SNSs they might join, as well as establish the degrees of trust with respect to those networks. Hence, this study is potentially useful to SNS providers planning their business strategies, and/or seeking to optimize their services based on a detailed understanding of the concerns of users and potential users.Originality/valueThis study is of considerable importance to the future development of research on switching intention behavior theory and practice, adding to the body of work on specific frameworks that explain the SNS-switching intention and behavior. The main theoretical implication is that the epistemic value component of the perceived value may not significantly affect switching intentions, at least in the SNS context. In addition, the results regarding the moderating effects of habits are a useful confirmation, in the SNS context, of the findings of a small but important body of prior studies.

Why men and women continue to use social networking sites: The role of gender differences

Organizations increasingly use social media and especially social networking sites (SNS) to support their marketing agenda, enhance collaboration, and develop new capabilities. However, the success of SNS initiatives is largely dependent on sustainable user participation. In this study, we argue that the continuance intentions of users may be gender-sensitive. To theorize and investigate gender differences in the determinants of continuance intentions, this study draws on the expectation-confirmation model, the uses and gratification theory, as well as the self-construal theory and its extensions. Our survey of 488 users shows that while both men and women are motivated by the ability to self-enhance, there are some gender differences. Specifically, while women are mainly driven by relational uses, such as maintaining close ties and getting access to social information on close and distant networks, men base their continuance intentions on their ability to gain information of a general nature. Our research makes several contributions to the discourse in strategic information systems literature concerning the use of social media by individuals and organizations. Theoretically, it expands the understanding of the phenomenon of continuance intentions and specifically the role of the gender differences in its determinants. On a practical level, it delivers insights for SNS providers and marketers into how satisfaction and continuance intentions of male and female SNS users can be differentially promoted. Furthermore, as organizations increasingly rely on corporate social networks to foster collaboration and innovation, our insights deliver initial recommendations on how organizational social media initiatives can be supported with regard to gender-based differences.

Empirical investigation of Facebook discontinues usage intentions based on SOR paradigm

The use of social media can have positive effects on users, but it may also bring about negative perceptions in varying degrees of enormity. This study investigates the negative consequences of high Facebook usage for different purposes. It focuses on how the social, cognitive, and hedonic uses of Facebook induce stress and exhaustion, thereby influencing an individual’s intention to voluntary quit from using Facebook. The stimulus–organism–response paradigm is used in this study to examine the antecedents of intentions to discontinue the use of Facebook. The distinctive stimuli, organisms, and response in the proposed research model are empirically investigated through a sample of 360 Facebook users. Findings indicate that psychological and behavioral consequences compel users to discontinue or reduce the use of Facebook due to exhaustion and technostress caused by social networking sites (SNS). The excessive social, hedonic, and cognitive uses of Facebook are also sources of technostress, and the subsequent SNS exhaustion results in the decision to quit Facebook. This study draws theoretical implications for future SNS research as well as practical implications for organizations and SNS providers and users.

Information Re-Sharing on Social Network Sites in the Age of Fake News

Aim/Purpose: In the light of the recent attention to the role of social media in the dissemination of fake news, it is important to understand the relationship between the characteristics of the social media content and re-sharing behavior. This study seeks to examine individual level antecedents of information re-sharing behavior including individual beliefs about the quality of information available on social network sites (SNSs), attitude towards SNS use and risk perceptions and attitudes. Methodology: Testing the research model by data collected through surveys that were adminis-tered to test the research model. Data was collected from undergraduate students in a public university in the US. Contribution: This study contributes to theory in Information Systems by addressing the issue of information quality in the context of information re-sharing on social media. This study has important practical implications for SNS users and providers alike. Ensuring that information available on SNS is of high quality is critical to maintaining a healthy user base. Findings: Results indicate that attitude toward using SNSs and intention to re-share infor-mation on SNSs is influenced by perceived information quality (enjoyment, rele-vance, and reliability). Also, risk-taking propensity and enjoyment influence the intention to re-share information on SNSs in a positive direction. Future Research: In the dynamic context of SNSs, the role played by quality of information is changing. Understanding changes in quality of information by conducting longitudinal studies and experiments and including the role of habits is necessary.

Understanding factors affecting users’ social networking site continuance: A gender difference perspective

Social networking sites (SNSs) have attracted more and more people to interact on line. Because of their popularity, firms and organizations are now marketing their business on SNS pages. It is essential for both SNS providers and firms to retain their current members. Consequently, use continuity of SNSs has gained the attention of both practitioners and researchers. However, few studies have systematically examined gender differences in such a context. To address this gap, we have developed an advanced framework to explain and analyze gender differences in users’ SNS continuance decisions. We propose an SNS continuance model by integrating SNS-oriented constructs (perceived privacy risk, perceived enjoyment, perceived reputation, and community identification) into the established ECM-ISC model and introduce gender as a key moderator. Our research results indicate that all the added SNS-oriented constructs influence users’ SNS continuance directly and indirectly. Furthermore, the impact of each factor on SNS continuance varies by gender. Each gender bases SNS continuance decisions on a different set of factors and/or different weights of the same factors. This study provides evidence that gender effects should be considered in understanding the continued usage of SNSs. It also provides an opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of gender differences in SNS continuance and fills the research gap regarding this. The theoretical and practical implications of these results are discussed.

Help, I Am Losing Control! Examining the Reporting of Sexual Harassment by Adolescents to Social Networking Sites.

Sexual harassment is often encountered by adolescents on social networking sites (SNS). One option to cope with a situation of harassment on SNS is to alarm the provider by reporting the transgressive content. It is yet unclear what the determinants of reporting a sexual harassment situation on SNS are, as well as the subsequent actions to these reports from the part of the SNS provider. In this article, we seek to address these gaps, and in particular examine whether control-by-the-self over the situation and negative emotions play a role in the reporting of sexual harassment on SNS. Findings indicate that a low situational control-by-the-self, indirectly (namely through a higher experience of negative emotions such as anger and shame) increases the reporting of sexual harassment by the victim. Public visibility of the incident and the impossibility to remove the content reduce the situational control-by-the-self. Results further suggest that SNS providers often ignore reported situations of sexual harassment. The study concludes with suggestions for responses to reported harassment on SNS, which should be directed toward increasing behavioral control and thereby alleviating negative emotions.

Severe Sexual Harassment on Social Networking Sites: Belgian Adolescents’ Views

Online sexual harassment is increasingly encountered by adolescents and is associated with various negative psychosocial outcomes. In particular, social networking sites (SNSs) may facilitate sexual harassment. This study used focus groups to examine sexual harassment on SNSs from adolescents’ (aged 12–18 years) point of view: what do they perceive as severe cases and who do they think should play a role in addressing them. The qualitative data suggested that sexual harassment was appraised as more severe when it concerned personally targeted gender harassment, situations with restricted escape possibilities, the use of insulting words, the non-consensual use of pictures for sex-related purposes, or frequent adult-initiated sexual attention. Adolescents think that educating potential victims and harassers is important. In addition, SNS providers can play a crucial role in decreasing the impact of sexual harassment by providing a safe environment and by warning or sanctioning harassers.