Chair: Professor Majid Yar: Professor of Sociology, University of Hull, UK
This session addresses consumer perspectives on filesharing, and aims to demonstrate the utility of consumer behaviour research in informing an evidence-based approach to policy-making. Two presentations will outline key theoretical approaches, results and recommendations from recent cross-cultural academic research in this area. Invited discussants will provide feedback on the presented research, its implications for their organisations and policy-making at the national and European level.
COUNTER: Consumer Attitudes, Behaviours and Perceptions of Filesharing, Dr Elizabeth Meehan: CRU, School of Psychology, University of Central Lancashire, UK
Understanding consumer attitudes and behaviour is of central importance in developing effective education, business, legal and regulatory strategies for reducing levels of filesharing. The COUNTER Project developed a comprehensive model of consumer attitudes and behaviour based on a critical review of existing literature and research. A series of 40 focus groups and a paper-based questionnaire study were conducted across the five partner countries (Austria, Italy, Slovenia, Sweden and the UK) in order to collect data to test this model. This presentation outlines qualitative and quantitative results from the first phase of data collection, and concludes with a series of associated stakeholder recommendations.
A Cross-Cultural Perspective on Consumer Theft of Intellectual Property, Professor James Reardon: Monfort College of Business, University of Northern Colorado, USA
This research integrates current knowledge and theory to develop a model to explain the consumer decision with regard to the effect of culture on the theft of intellectual property. Specifically, over 15 countries are compared to examine the effect of Uncertainty Avoidance on the propensity to illegally download music. The countries include ten language groups, developed and transitional economies, and across all continents. The model itself examines the effect of culture (uncertainty avoidance and collectivism) on intellectual property theft through the moderating variables of personal risk and ethical perceptions. The results suggest that cultural dimension have a significant indirect impact on downloading by affecting individual level risk perceptions as well as ethical frameworks.
Discussants:
- Helen Saunders: Head of Internet Investigations, BPI, UK
- Katrine Thomsen: Policy Officer, Unit B6: Policy Analysis and Development, Relations with Consumer Organisations and International Relations, DG SANCO, European Commission
- Kostas Rossoglou: Legal Officer, The European Consumers’ Organisation (BEUC)
