Examining factors that influence information disclosure on social network sites from the perspective of network externalities
Industrial Management & Data Systems
ISSN: 0263-5577
Article publication date: 27 March 2019
Issue publication date: 1 May 2019
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to develop a research framework by drawing on the network externalities research and previous literature on information systems to understand the antecedents of information disclosure. The framework postulates that the following network externalities are important factors affecting social network sites (SNS) perceived usefulness (PU): perceived external prestige, referent network size and perceived complementarity. In addition, the paper proposes that PU, habit and subjective norms significantly affect information disclosure of SNS among Chinese users.
Design/methodology/approach
Data are collected from 251 Chinese university students who use SNS. Structural equation modeling was applied to test the hypotheses presented in the model.
Findings
The findings provide support for all the hypotheses, with the exception of the influence of referent network size on PU and the influence of subjective norms on information disclosure. Both perceived external prestige and perceived complementarity have reported positive effect on PU of SNS. In turn, the authors have found that PU and habit have positive effects on information disclosure.
Originality/value
SNS encourage users to reveal personal information by allowing them to post photos and videos and share their interests and feelings on the site. Yet, limited empirical research has investigated the concept of self-disclosure of personal information particularly among Chinese users of SNS. To fill this research gap, the authors have developed a research framework by drawing on the network externalities research and previous literature on information systems to understand the antecedents of information disclosure.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This research is supported by the Contemporary Business and Trade Research Center, and the Collaborative Innovation Center of Contemporary Business and Trade Circulation System Construction of Zhejiang Gongshang University (16YXYP01), Special Funds Project for Promoting the Level of Running Local Colleges and Universities in Zhejiang Province (Interdisciplinary Innovation Team Building of Internet and Management Change), the Teaching Project from Zhejiang Gongshang University (1010XJ0513021) and the Higher Education Institute Research Grant from Zhejiang Gongshang University (Xgy15014).
Citation
Mouakket, S. and Sun, Y. (2019), "Examining factors that influence information disclosure on social network sites from the perspective of network externalities", Industrial Management & Data Systems, Vol. 119 No. 4, pp. 774-791. https://doi.org/10.1108/IMDS-02-2018-0060
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited