Private Eyes Are Watching You: Reactions to Location Sensing Technologies

Purpose: This study explored reactions to location sensing technologies (LSTs) which enable organizations to track the location and movements of employees, even off-site. In particular, we examined the relationships among two monitoring characteristics (i. e., purpose and control), perceptions of privacy invasion, and monitoring fairness. Design/Methodology/Approach: This study employed a 2 (purpose) × 2 (control) factorial design using 208 college students. Study hypotheses were tested using hierarchical regression. Findings: The ability to control the location sensing device was related to monitoring fairness via privacy invasion, but no support was found for monitoring purpose. Implications: The results underscore the importance of giving employees a sense of control over monitoring and providing them with "protected spaces" where monitoring can be avoided. Originality/Value: This study offers the first examination of attitudes toward location sensing technologies.