Paper Type

Short

Paper Number

PACIS2025-1218

Description

The proliferation of the internet has significantly transformed the business landscape, prompting firms to pay closer attention to electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM) and online reviews. However, the internet has also become an avenue for cyberbullying, which can lead to severe mental health issues among individuals. Despite extensive research on the effects of cyberbullying on personal well-being, its impact on businesses remains underexplored. This paper documents an ongoing case study on the Farm House Restaurant in Hong Kong, owned by Hing-To Chan, who has faced cyberbullying since the early 2020s. The study examines how cyberbullying has damaged the restaurant's eWOM and affected Chan's mental health. We aim to shed light on the broader implications of cyberbullying for businesses and their owners, ultimately contributing to strategies for mitigating these negative effects.

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Jul 6th, 12:00 AM

The Impact of Cyberbullying on Businesses: An Affordance and Constraint Perspective

The proliferation of the internet has significantly transformed the business landscape, prompting firms to pay closer attention to electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM) and online reviews. However, the internet has also become an avenue for cyberbullying, which can lead to severe mental health issues among individuals. Despite extensive research on the effects of cyberbullying on personal well-being, its impact on businesses remains underexplored. This paper documents an ongoing case study on the Farm House Restaurant in Hong Kong, owned by Hing-To Chan, who has faced cyberbullying since the early 2020s. The study examines how cyberbullying has damaged the restaurant's eWOM and affected Chan's mental health. We aim to shed light on the broader implications of cyberbullying for businesses and their owners, ultimately contributing to strategies for mitigating these negative effects.