Yuanyuan Guo, Xin Wang and Chaoyou Wang
This study examines how the different dimensions of a privacy policy separately influence perceived effectiveness of privacy policy, as well as the mediating mechanisms behind…
Abstract
Purpose
This study examines how the different dimensions of a privacy policy separately influence perceived effectiveness of privacy policy, as well as the mediating mechanisms behind these effects (i.e. vulnerability, benevolence). In addition, this study considers privacy concern as a significant moderator in the research model, to examine if the relative influences of privacy policy content are contingent upon levels of users' privacy concern.
Design/methodology/approach
The survey experiment was conducted to empirically validate the model. Specifically, three survey experiments and six scenarios were designed to manipulate high and low levels of the three privacy policy dimensions (i.e. transparency, control and protection). The authors totally distributed 450 copies of the questionnaire, of which 407 were valid.
Findings
This paper found that (1) all the three privacy policy dimensions directly influence perceived effectiveness of privacy policy; (2) all the three privacy policy dimensions indirectly influence perceived effectiveness of privacy policy by enhancing perceived corporate benevolence, whereas control also affects perceived effectiveness of privacy policy by reducing perceived vulnerability; and (3) individuals with high-privacy concern are much more impacted by privacy policy contents than individuals with low-privacy concern.
Practical implications
The findings could provide website managers with guidelines on how to design privacy policy contents by reducing user perceptions of vulnerability and enhancing user perceptions of corporate benevolence. The managers need to focus on customers' perceived vulnerability and corporate benevolence when launching or updating privacy policies. Furthermore, the managers also need to attend to users' privacy concerns, especially for multinational companies or companies with specific consumer groups.
Originality/value
This study extends the current privacy policy literature by articulating the separate influences of the three privacy policy dimensions and their impact mechanisms on perceived effectiveness of privacy policy. It also uncovers privacy concerns as a boundary condition that influence the effects of privacy policy contents on users' privacy perceptions.
Details
Keywords
Yuanyuan Guo, Chaoyou Wang and Xiaoting Chen
This study aims to examine the relative effectiveness of functional and financial remedies in influencing customers' negative coping responses in the event of a data breach. It…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine the relative effectiveness of functional and financial remedies in influencing customers' negative coping responses in the event of a data breach. It also uncovers the different mediating roles played by customers' feelings of anger and fear in the process of data breach recovery. This study thus differs from the literature, which has primarily focused on the impact of financial compensation and apologies for service failures in face-to-face environments.
Design/methodology/approach
Two scenario-based experiments were conducted to empirically validate the model. The authors received 302 copies of the questionnaire, of which 269 were valid.
Findings
This study finds that functional remedies are more effective than financial remedies when sensitive information has been compromised, but there is no significant difference between the effectiveness of the two remedies when nonsensitive information has been compromised. In addition, functional remedies influence negative coping behaviors directly and indirectly; the indirect effect is achieved through the reduction of fear and anger. Contrary to the authors' expectation, financial remedies do not have a direct effect on negative coping behaviors; they can indirectly affect negative coping behaviors by reducing anger but do not affect negative coping behaviors by reducing fear.
Practical implications
This study provides key insights into how to manage customer reactions in the event of a data breach, suggesting the use of carefully designed recovery strategies. Companies must attend to customers' specific emotional responses to manage their negative coping behaviors.
Originality/value
This study extends the limited literature on data breach recovery actions by investigating the different effectiveness of functional and financial remedies in the event of a data breach. It also uncovers how functional and financial recovery strategies affect customers' negative coping behaviors by revealing the different mediating effects of fear and anger.
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Luonan Li, Wangyue Zhou and Yuangao Chen
This study explores the effects of virtual streamer characteristics, virtual scene characteristics and streamer image-scene fit on users’ watching intention from the perspective…
Abstract
Purpose
This study explores the effects of virtual streamer characteristics, virtual scene characteristics and streamer image-scene fit on users’ watching intention from the perspective of flow experience.
Design/methodology/approach
The survey data for this study were collected from the QQ fan group of virtual streamers between November 26th 2022 and December 5th 2022. The authors survey 274 viewers who have experience of watching virtual streaming and employ the partial least squares structural equation model to test the research hypotheses.
Findings
Among the characteristics of virtual streamers, interactivity significantly influences users’ perceived enjoyment and concentration, while vividness only affects perceived enjoyment. In addition, the novelty of the virtual scene has a notable impact on users’ perceived enjoyment and concentration, whereas aesthetic appeal serves as an important indicator solely for concentration. Furthermore, the virtual streamer image-scene fit also affects users’ perceived enjoyment and concentration. Finally, perceived enjoyment and concentration equally contribute to users' watching intention.
Originality/value
This study explores the impact of virtual streamer characteristics, virtual scene characteristics and streamer image-scene fit on users’ watching intention, which enriches the research on user behavioral intention in virtual streaming. Additionally, this study attempts to combine the stimulus-organism-response (S-O-R) model and flow theory in the field of virtual streaming, expanding the research areas. Finally, this study also provides valuable insights for virtual streamers and virtual streaming platforms. By enhancing their virtual personas and optimizing their streaming strategies, virtual streamers can more effectively retain users and maintain audience engagement. Meanwhile, virtual streaming platforms can gain a deeper understanding of user preferences, enabling them to launch high-quality events that sustain user popularity. These efforts collectively contribute to the advancement of the virtual streaming industry.