Information self-disclosure on mobile instant messaging applications

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to develop a conceptual framework, which identifies intrinsic, social and extrinsic gratification factors as essential individual factors influencing users’ disclosure of personal information via mobile instant messaging (MIM) applications (apps). In addition, the author has examined whether gender affects those different factors of gratification. Design/methodology/approach Data are collected via paper-based survey from university students who use MIM in the United Arab Emirates. Structural equation modeling is used to test the hypotheses that are presented in the model. Findings The findings show that intrinsic gratifications (entertainment and escapism) and social gratifications (social interaction) have positive effects on the depth and breadth of self-disclosure via MIM apps. Additionally, women’s self-disclosure of personal information is positively affected by social influence, while men are not influenced by this type of gratification. Originality/value The study aims to enhance the current understanding of the limited research on the uses and gratifications approach within the context of MIM apps to identify the gratifications that motivate MIM apps users to disclose personal information.

Will robo-advisors continue? Roles of task-technology fit, network externalities, gratifications and flow experience in facilitating continuance intention

“…Psychological factor. U&G theory, which originated in the 1940s, is a well-known theory that attempts to explain why and how users actively seek the use of a specific medium to best gratify their psychological needs (Katz et al, 1974;Ko et al, 2005;Mouakket, 2019); thus, users select different media based on how well each choice helps them meet their specific needs (Katz et al, 1973;Ku et al, 2013). In this regard, U&G theory has been used to explain the psychological needs of users' media selection processes (Ko et al, 2005;Hsu et al, 2015).…”

“…internet, online social media, etc. ), more recently, it has been applied in a variety of innovative IS/IT adoption contexts (Ko et al, 2005;Hsu et al, 2015;Mouakket, 2019;Ray et al, 2019) and has been used to identify the factors affecting users' continuance intention toward the IS/IT (Guo et al, 2016;Lee and Kim, 2017;Ghazali et al, 2019). U&G theory is usually suitable for examining users' motivations in the voluntary adoption of the IS/IT Mouakket, 2019).…”

“…), more recently, it has been applied in a variety of innovative IS/IT adoption contexts (Ko et al, 2005;Hsu et al, 2015;Mouakket, 2019;Ray et al, 2019) and has been used to identify the factors affecting users' continuance intention toward the IS/IT (Guo et al, 2016;Lee and Kim, 2017;Ghazali et al, 2019). U&G theory is usually suitable for examining users' motivations in the voluntary adoption of the IS/IT Mouakket, 2019). Based on U&G theory, prior research has identified two main psychological needs for users' media usage, namely, hedonic and utilitarian needs (Hsu et al, 2015), besides, social motivation may be a key human factor affecting individuals' IS/IT usage Mouakket, 2019).…”

“…U&G theory is usually suitable for examining users' motivations in the voluntary adoption of the IS/IT Mouakket, 2019). Based on U&G theory, prior research has identified two main psychological needs for users' media usage, namely, hedonic and utilitarian needs (Hsu et al, 2015), besides, social motivation may be a key human factor affecting individuals' IS/IT usage Mouakket, 2019). Thus, gratifications can be divided into three categories as follows: utilitarian gratification, hedonic gratification and social gratification (Chiang, 2013;Chang, 2018;Ma et al, 2019;Mouakket, 2019;Ray et al, 2019).…”

Personal Information Disclosure via Voice Assistants: The Personalization–Privacy Paradox

“…The issue of trust and privacy is a long-discussed topic that has been covered by existing research, both in the physical [5,6] and the virtual world [7][8][9][10]. The users are concerned with the inappropriate ways of data collection without their consent, sharing of sensitive personal information with third parties, running analytics on their personal data for unintended marketing purpose and creation of user profiles [11].…”