Privacy Concerns towards Information Privacy in Hybrid Teams: A Mauritian Context

Innovative technology has revolutionized the future of work and will continue to play a vital role in hybrid working arrangements. Technology brings forward the introduction of new threats which increases privacy concerns amongst users. Research around privacy concerns has been explored using different lenses with variance in findings. The Privacy paradox theory has been put forward in various studies as an explanation for inconsistencies where users report having worries about their online privacy but have irresponsible online behavior. This study will examine the privacy paradox theory in the hybrid working environment. A quantitative methodology on a sample population working in hybrid mode (N=204) was followed by using an adaptation of the Concern for Information Privacy scale. The key findings of this study conclude a correlation between behavior and privacy concerns with a p-value of 0.012 but however having a weak relationship. It was also found that there is a disparity of behavior in the working generation with baby boomers showing more concerns and having positive behavior than Gen Z. Gender also influences behavior and concerns, with females exhibiting different behaviors as compared to males. There is a strong positive correlation between privacy awareness and concerns and between privacy awareness and behavior.