Title: Examining mobile SNS continuance from a dual perspective of social support and privacy concern

Authors: Tao Zhou; Zuoning Xu

Addresses: School of Management, Hangzhou Dianzi University, Hangzhou, 310018, China ' School of Management, Hangzhou Dianzi University, Hangzhou, 310018, China

Abstract: Mobile SNS enable users to conduct ubiquitous interactions with their peers and exchange social support conveniently. This may strengthen social relationships and facilitate their continuance. At the same time, users are concerned with their personal information disclosed to the service providers. Integrating both perspectives of social support and privacy concern, this research examined mobile SNS continuance usage. The results indicated that social support, which includes informational support and emotional support, has significant effects on flow and trust. Privacy concern affects privacy risk. Flow, trust and privacy risk determine continuance usage. The results imply that service providers need to build a supportive climate and alleviate privacy concern in order to facilitate users' continuance.

Keywords: mobile SNS; social support; privacy concern; flow.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSTM.2020.109423

International Journal of Services Technology and Management, 2020 Vol.26 No.5, pp.357 - 372

Received: 28 Nov 2016
Accepted: 18 Nov 2017
Published online: 09 Sep 2020 *

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