Website Information Security and Privacy Concerns in 4IR: The Moderating Role of Trust in B2C e-Commerce

Abstract

The technology devices introduced in recent years are not only vulnerable to Internet risks but are also unable to elevate the growth of B2C e-commerce. These concerns are particularly relevant today, as the world transitions into the Fourth Industrial Revolution. To date, existing research has largely focused on obstacles to customer loyalty. Studies have tested e-commerce models guided by the establishment of trusting, satisfied and loyal consumers in various international contexts. In South Africa, however, as an emerging market, there has been limited research on the success factors of online shopping. This study examines the influence of security and privacy on trust, seen as a moderator of customer satisfaction, which in turn, has an effect on loyalty towards websites. Based on an exhaustive review of literature, a conceptual model is proposed on the relationships between security and privacy on the one hand, and customer trust, satisfaction and loyalty on the other. A total of 250 structured, self-administered questionnaires was distributed to a purposively selected sample of respondents using face-to-face surveys in Johannesburg, South Africa. A multivariate data analysis technique was used to draw inferences from the data. With an 80.1% response rate, the findings showed that privacy and security do influence customer trust; security strongly influences customer trust and weakly influences satisfaction. In South Africa, customer loyalty towards websites is strongly determined by satisfaction and weakly determined by trust. Trust significantly moderates the effect of customer satisfaction on loyalty. The study implications and limitations are presented and future research directions are suggested.

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