Evaluating the barriers affecting cybersecurity behavior in the Metaverse using PLS-SEM and fuzzy sets (fsQCA)
While offering novel user experiences, the Metaverse introduces complex cybersecurity challenges due to the sophisticated interaction of augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and web technologies. Addressing the barriers to cybersecurity behavior is essential to protect users against risks s...
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2025
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my.uniten.dspace-363332025-03-03T15:41:58Z Evaluating the barriers affecting cybersecurity behavior in the Metaverse using PLS-SEM and fuzzy sets (fsQCA) Al-Emran M. Al-Sharafi M.A. Foroughi B. Iranmanesh M. Alsharida R.A. Al-Qaysi N. Ali N. 56593108000 57196477711 56266779100 55226710300 57217735651 57205206257 54985243500 Augmented reality Cybersecurity Fuzzy sets Virtual reality Barrier Cyber security Cybersecurity behavior Fuzzy Set Qualitative Comparative Analysis Metaverses Partial least square-structural equation modeling Partial least-squares Structural equation models Technology threat avoidance theory Threat-avoidance theory article augmented reality avoidance behavior computer security controlled study conversation human identity theft partial least squares regression privacy signal transduction structural equation modeling theoretical model virtual reality Least squares approximations While offering novel user experiences, the Metaverse introduces complex cybersecurity challenges due to the sophisticated interaction of augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and web technologies. Addressing the barriers to cybersecurity behavior is essential to protect users against risks such as identity theft and loss of digital assets. Therefore, this research aims to investigate these barriers by developing a theoretical model that draws factors from the Technology Threat Avoidance Theory (TTAT) and considers variables such as privacy concerns, perceived risks, and response costs. The data were collected from 395 Metaverse users and were analyzed using the Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) and fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA). The PLS-SEM findings showed that perceived threats, privacy concerns, and response costs have a significant negative impact on cybersecurity behavior, while perceived risks have an insignificant negative influence. The fsQCA results revealed that there is not a single pathway leading to robust cybersecurity behavior. Instead, eight configurations that include the presence and absence of certain conditions can lead to this desirable outcome. The findings not only advance the academic conversation on Metaverse security but also offer actionable strategies for stakeholders to reinforce user protection in this dynamic virtual environment. ? 2024 Elsevier Ltd Final 2025-03-03T07:41:58Z 2025-03-03T07:41:58Z 2024 Article 10.1016/j.chb.2024.108315 2-s2.0-85195105429 https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85195105429&doi=10.1016%2fj.chb.2024.108315&partnerID=40&md5=2fa2fabb148e290d314b101fa6660304 https://irepository.uniten.edu.my/handle/123456789/36333 159 108315 Elsevier Ltd Scopus |
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Augmented reality Cybersecurity Fuzzy sets Virtual reality Barrier Cyber security Cybersecurity behavior Fuzzy Set Qualitative Comparative Analysis Metaverses Partial least square-structural equation modeling Partial least-squares Structural equation models Technology threat avoidance theory Threat-avoidance theory article augmented reality avoidance behavior computer security controlled study conversation human identity theft partial least squares regression privacy signal transduction structural equation modeling theoretical model virtual reality Least squares approximations |
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Augmented reality Cybersecurity Fuzzy sets Virtual reality Barrier Cyber security Cybersecurity behavior Fuzzy Set Qualitative Comparative Analysis Metaverses Partial least square-structural equation modeling Partial least-squares Structural equation models Technology threat avoidance theory Threat-avoidance theory article augmented reality avoidance behavior computer security controlled study conversation human identity theft partial least squares regression privacy signal transduction structural equation modeling theoretical model virtual reality Least squares approximations Al-Emran M. Al-Sharafi M.A. Foroughi B. Iranmanesh M. Alsharida R.A. Al-Qaysi N. Ali N. Evaluating the barriers affecting cybersecurity behavior in the Metaverse using PLS-SEM and fuzzy sets (fsQCA) |
| description |
While offering novel user experiences, the Metaverse introduces complex cybersecurity challenges due to the sophisticated interaction of augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and web technologies. Addressing the barriers to cybersecurity behavior is essential to protect users against risks such as identity theft and loss of digital assets. Therefore, this research aims to investigate these barriers by developing a theoretical model that draws factors from the Technology Threat Avoidance Theory (TTAT) and considers variables such as privacy concerns, perceived risks, and response costs. The data were collected from 395 Metaverse users and were analyzed using the Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) and fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA). The PLS-SEM findings showed that perceived threats, privacy concerns, and response costs have a significant negative impact on cybersecurity behavior, while perceived risks have an insignificant negative influence. The fsQCA results revealed that there is not a single pathway leading to robust cybersecurity behavior. Instead, eight configurations that include the presence and absence of certain conditions can lead to this desirable outcome. The findings not only advance the academic conversation on Metaverse security but also offer actionable strategies for stakeholders to reinforce user protection in this dynamic virtual environment. ? 2024 Elsevier Ltd |
| author2 |
56593108000 |
| author_facet |
56593108000 Al-Emran M. Al-Sharafi M.A. Foroughi B. Iranmanesh M. Alsharida R.A. Al-Qaysi N. Ali N. |
| format |
Article |
| author |
Al-Emran M. Al-Sharafi M.A. Foroughi B. Iranmanesh M. Alsharida R.A. Al-Qaysi N. Ali N. |
| author_sort |
Al-Emran M. |
| title |
Evaluating the barriers affecting cybersecurity behavior in the Metaverse using PLS-SEM and fuzzy sets (fsQCA) |
| title_short |
Evaluating the barriers affecting cybersecurity behavior in the Metaverse using PLS-SEM and fuzzy sets (fsQCA) |
| title_full |
Evaluating the barriers affecting cybersecurity behavior in the Metaverse using PLS-SEM and fuzzy sets (fsQCA) |
| title_fullStr |
Evaluating the barriers affecting cybersecurity behavior in the Metaverse using PLS-SEM and fuzzy sets (fsQCA) |
| title_full_unstemmed |
Evaluating the barriers affecting cybersecurity behavior in the Metaverse using PLS-SEM and fuzzy sets (fsQCA) |
| title_sort |
evaluating the barriers affecting cybersecurity behavior in the metaverse using pls-sem and fuzzy sets (fsqca) |
| publisher |
Elsevier Ltd |
| publishDate |
2025 |
| _version_ |
1825816019535396864 |
| score |
13.244413 |