Research Note---Effects of Individual Self-Protection, Industry Self-Regulation, and Government Regulation on Privacy Concerns: A Study of Location-Based Services

  • Authors:

  • Heng Xu;Hock-Hai Teo;Bernard C. Y. Tan;Ritu Agarwal

  • Affiliations:

  • College of Information Sciences and Technology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802;Department of Information Systems, National University of Singapore, School of Computing, Singapore 117418;Department of Information Systems, National University of Singapore, School of Computing, Singapore 117418;Robert H. Smith School of Business, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742

  • Venue:
  • Information Systems Research
  • Year:
  • 2012

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Abstract

This study seeks to clarify the nature of control in the context of information privacy to generate insights into the effects of different privacy assurance approaches on context-specific concerns for information privacy. We theorize that such effects are exhibited through mediation by perceived control over personal information and develop arguments in support of the interaction effects involving different privacy assurance approaches (individual self-protection, industry self-regulation, and government legislation). We test the research model in the context of location-based services using data obtained from 178 individuals in Singapore. In general, the results support our core assertion that perceived control over personal information is a key factor affecting context-specific concerns for information privacy. In addition to enhancing our theoretical understanding of the link between control and privacy concerns, these findings have important implications for service providers and consumers as well as for regulatory bodies and technology developers.