Start Date

11-8-2016

Description

Smart meters are digital electrical meters that offer “two-way, near real time communication” between homes and utilities. While smart meters have the potential to solve our current energy problems, they have also brought new problems regarding the consumers’ privacy. We first develop a measurement model to measure the consumers’ concerns about information privacy in adopting smart meters. Then, we propose a conceptual model to examine the relationship between privacy concerns, trusting beliefs, risk beliefs, and intentions to adopt smart meters. Empirical data were collected from 103 survey respondents and analyzed using CFA and PLS regression techniques. Results show that consumers’ information privacy concerns about adopting smart meters can be measured in three dimensions: collection, secondary use, and improper access. In addition, the effect of information privacy concerns about intentions is fully mediated by risk beliefs. Among the control variables, privacy experiences have a significantly negative effect on intentions.

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Aug 11th, 12:00 AM

Consumers’ Privacy Concerns about Smart Meters

Smart meters are digital electrical meters that offer “two-way, near real time communication” between homes and utilities. While smart meters have the potential to solve our current energy problems, they have also brought new problems regarding the consumers’ privacy. We first develop a measurement model to measure the consumers’ concerns about information privacy in adopting smart meters. Then, we propose a conceptual model to examine the relationship between privacy concerns, trusting beliefs, risk beliefs, and intentions to adopt smart meters. Empirical data were collected from 103 survey respondents and analyzed using CFA and PLS regression techniques. Results show that consumers’ information privacy concerns about adopting smart meters can be measured in three dimensions: collection, secondary use, and improper access. In addition, the effect of information privacy concerns about intentions is fully mediated by risk beliefs. Among the control variables, privacy experiences have a significantly negative effect on intentions.