Exploring the influence of privacy management tools on online information sharing decisions

• Main Author: Aleem, Muhammad Usman
• Language: English
• Published: University of British Columbia 2012
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/2429/43340

We explore the role of privacy management tools in online social networks and their influence on user’s information sharing behavior. Using privacy regulation theory and social capital theory, we first develop a model that characterizes how and why individuals share their private information. Next, we use inclusive and exclusive modes of decision making to develop two tools for sharing information. Subsequently, we test our theoretical model through these tools in the context of online privacy. We find that privacy management tools not only influence sharing decisions when information sensitivity varies, but the tools also influence how individuals interpret their tie strength with their friends. === Business, Sauder School of === Graduate