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Does role conflict influence discontinuous usage intentions? Privacy concerns, social media fatigue and self-esteem

Xiaojun Fan (School of Management, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China)
Xinyu Jiang (School of Management, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China)
Nianqi Deng (School of Management, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China)
Xuebing Dong (School of Management, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China)
Yangxi Lin (School of Management, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China)

Information Technology & People

ISSN: 0959-3845

Article publication date: 11 September 2020

Issue publication date: 24 May 2021

2549

Abstract

Purpose

Using WeChat moments as an example, this article explores the impact of user role conflict on privacy concerns, social media fatigue and the three dimensions of discontinuous usage intention: control activities, short breaks and suspend usage intentions. Moreover, the moderating function of self-esteem in this process is examined.

Design/methodology/approach

The conceptual model includes role conflict, privacy concerns, social media fatigue, discontinuous usage intention and self-esteem. Three hundred and thirty-one questionnaires were collected using an online survey, and the data were analyzed with structural equation and hierarchical regression modeling.

Findings

The results show that (1) role conflict positively affects privacy concerns and social media fatigue; (2) privacy concerns also positively affect social media fatigue; (3) privacy concerns positively affect control activities intentions, although their impact on short breaks and suspend usage intentions is not significant, whereas social media fatigue significantly influences control activities, short breaks and suspend usage intentions; and (4) self-esteem negatively moderates the influence of role conflict on privacy concerns.

Research limitations/implications

A key limitation of this research is that it is designed for WeChat. Therefore, the question of whether other social media platforms face role conflict or discontinuous usage problems should be explored in the future.

Originality/value

The article is interesting in that it focuses on the discontinuous usage of social media and identifies factors that contribute to the discontinuous usage of social media. The findings make some theoretical contributions to, and have practical implications for, research into social media usage.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

Funding: This research was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (71702097, 71772115).Conflicts of interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Citation

Fan, X., Jiang, X., Deng, N., Dong, X. and Lin, Y. (2021), "Does role conflict influence discontinuous usage intentions? Privacy concerns, social media fatigue and self-esteem", Information Technology & People, Vol. 34 No. 3, pp. 1152-1174. https://doi.org/10.1108/ITP-08-2019-0416

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited

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