Internet Users' Information Privacy Concerns (IUIPC): The Construct, the Scale, and a Causal Model

Abstract

T he lack of consumer confidence in information privacy has been identified as a major problem hampering the growth of e-commerce. Despite the importance of understanding the nature of online consumers' concerns for information privacy, this topic has received little attention in the information systems community. To fill the gap in the literature, this article focuses on three distinct, yet closely related, issues. First, drawing on social contract theory, we offer a theoretical framework on the dimensionality of Internet users' information privacy concerns (IUIPC). Second, we attempt to operationalize the multidimensional notion of IUIPC using a secondorder construct, and we develop a scale for it. Third, we propose and test a causal model on the relationship between IUIPC and behavioral intention toward releasing personal information at the request of a marketer. We conducted two separate field surveys and collected data from 742 household respondents in one-on-one, face-to-face interviews. The results of this study indicate that the second-order IUIPC factor, which consists of three first-order dimensions-namely, collection, control, and awareness-exhibited desirable psychometric properties in the context of online privacy. In addition, we found that the causal model centering on IUIPC fits the data satisfactorily and explains a large amount of variance in behavioral intention, suggesting that the proposed model will serve as a useful tool for analyzing online consumers' reactions to various privacy threats on the Internet.

Is It Harmful? Re-examining Privacy Concerns

“…For instance an improper access and secondary use of data, the two of four dimensions defined by CFIP [47]. Similarly, our findings relate to the factors identified by IUIPC: collection (interrogation and insecurity) and control (exposure, distortion) [32]. The seven dimensions of PHC add to the previous scales by identification of wider range of concerns.…”

“…Thus it carries a negative weight and should result in preventive or protective actions. As defined by Campbell, the information privacy concern is a subjective notation concentrated around the input, use and control of data [32]. Therefore, the information concern is related to the flow of data between the user and involved data processors.…”

“…The study identified four dimensions of privacy concerns: improper access, unauthorized secondary use, error, and collection. Malhotra et al developed Internet Users Information Privacy Concern (IUIPC) scale identifying three dimensions: collection, control, and awareness of privacy practices [32]. According to their research consumers perceive as the most important awareness and control over their data stored by online companies.…”

A Three-way Interaction Model of Information Withholding: Investigating the Role of Information Sensitivity, Prevention Focus, and Interdependent Self-Construal

“…In other words, the former types of information are considered as more sensitive information than the latter types. In addition, compared with less sensitive information, more sensitive information will have a more negative impact on users' willingness to reveal their personal information (Malhotra, Kim, & Agarwal, 2004).…”

An initial categorization of foundational research in complex technical systems

“…The objective of research ranges from the philosophical foundations (O'Donnell and Henriksen, 2002) and influences on organizations (Sviokla, 1990), through the effects of connectivity (Kraut et al, 1998) and information sharing (Griffiths and Parke, 2002), to security (Whitman, 2003) and privacy (Malhotra et al, 2004). The methods and measures of assessing social impacts have turned up frequently as research interests, in various contexts, for a long time (Wolf, 1983).…”