Rethinking the Trade-Off: A Systematic Review of Current Research on the Privacy Calculus Model

As one of the most popular theoretical models explaining mechanisms of information disclosure behavior, the Privacy Calculus Model (PCM) has received significant academic interest and criticism. While numerous studies have offered explanations countering criticism of the privacy calculus model, none have synthesized existing findings on benefit and cost variables or systematically reviewed moderators and other factors to address the model's limitations. Drawing on the principle of compatibility and the Privacy Process Model's four-dimensional framework of privacy context, this study conducted a systematic review of 119 PCM studies published between 2018 and 2023. Results revealed that among studies reporting non-significant cost-disclosure relationships, 66% exhibited dimensional misalignment between cost and disclosure variables, compared to only 32% among studies with significant results. Additionally, we identified inconsistencies in how disclosure behaviors, perceived risks, and privacy concerns are conceptualized and operationalized, along with an underutilization of moderating variables. Based on these findings, we propose an integrated framework recommending that future PCM research align the dimensions of costs, benefits, and disclosure variables within their specific privacy contexts to improve predictive validity.