Abstract

This paper describes the development of an instrument to measure the perception of privacy breaches. Perceived Privacy Breaches are divided into three dimensions: Dispersion, Fairness and Impact. These dimensions were derived using exploratory factor analysis on data gathered from 197 subjects. The instrument was utilized as part of a model to test the focal construct’s relationships with its antecedents. A multiple regression was performed on a sample constituting 70% randomly selected cases. A cross-validation of the regression equation was performed using the remaining cases. Results indicate that the level of privacy concern an individual possesses has a positive impact on the severity of perceived privacy breaches. It was also found that personal experience of privacy invasions had a negative impact on the severity of perceived privacy breaches.

Share

COinS
 

Perceived Privacy Breach – the Construct, the Scale, and its Antecedents

This paper describes the development of an instrument to measure the perception of privacy breaches. Perceived Privacy Breaches are divided into three dimensions: Dispersion, Fairness and Impact. These dimensions were derived using exploratory factor analysis on data gathered from 197 subjects. The instrument was utilized as part of a model to test the focal construct’s relationships with its antecedents. A multiple regression was performed on a sample constituting 70% randomly selected cases. A cross-validation of the regression equation was performed using the remaining cases. Results indicate that the level of privacy concern an individual possesses has a positive impact on the severity of perceived privacy breaches. It was also found that personal experience of privacy invasions had a negative impact on the severity of perceived privacy breaches.