Title: What matters most? Investigating the role of perceived risk and trust in the acceptance of social networks for political communication

Authors: Tobias Kollmann; Ina Kayser; Christoph Stöckmann

Addresses: E-Business and E-Entrepreneurship Research Group, University of Duisburg-Essen, Universitaetsstr. 9, 45141 Essen, Germany ' VDI, The Association of German Engineers, VDI-Platz 1, 40468 Düsseldorf, Universitaetsstr. 9, 45141 Essen, Germany ' E-Business and E-Entrepreneurship Research Group, University of Duisburg-Essen, Universitaetsstr. 9, 45141 Essen, Germany

Abstract: The use of social networks for political purposes has attracted much academic attention. The aim of this research is to discover the role of perceived risk and trust in the acceptance of social networks for e-participation. We use the established technology acceptance model (TAM), but also build on social exchange theory to incorporate the interpersonal effects perceived risk and trust. These interpersonal effects come into play in the context of the social web and are not considered in TAM. First, we test a model that incorporates perceived risk, and second, we add trust to the risk considerations to reveal whether one of these two has a greater influence on acceptance. We thereby reveal the multiple facets of trust and risk that significantly influence usage behaviour. Our study adds to the multi-disciplinary nature of the field of electronic government research by merging research on IS acceptance, social networks, and political participation.

Keywords: e-participation; perceived risk; trust; social networks; TAM; technology acceptance model; electronic government; e-democracy; Facebook; political communication; electronic participation; online participation; e-government; electronic democracy; social exchange theory; interpersonal effects; usage behaviour; political participation.

DOI: 10.1504/EG.2015.071410

Electronic Government, an International Journal, 2015 Vol.11 No.4, pp.306 - 321

Received: 25 Oct 2014
Accepted: 21 Mar 2015
Published online: 25 Aug 2015 *

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