Online targeting allows websites to selectively display advertisements to its surfers based on their online user profiles. This approach is supposed to make advertisements more relevant to consumers and thus more effective. Therefore, it is becoming an increasingly important source of revenue for websites. However, many consumers view the practice of collecting usually anonymous surfer information for advertising purposes with skepticism. In this context, the doctoral dissertation studies consumer privacy concerns regarding targeted advertising. Building on findings from economics, social psychology, and business ethics, it develops tangible, managerially operational mechanisms that websites can apply to increase consumers’ acceptance of targeting. The mechanisms are tested in a laboratory and a large-scale field experiment. The results are particularly relevant for advertising supported websites offering free content to consumers.
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Online targeting allows websites to selectively display advertisements to its surfers based on their online user profiles. This approach is supposed to make advertisements more relevant to consumers and thus more effective. Therefore, it is becoming an increasingly important source of revenue for websites. However, many consumers view the practice of collecting usually anonymous surfer information for advertising purposes with skepticism. In this context, the doctoral dissertation studies consum...
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