CYBERSECURITY, DATA PRIVACY, AND HUMAN PSYCHOLOGY IN THE DIGITAL ECONOMY: PUBLIC PERCEPTIONS AND PATHWAYS TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Keywords:
Digital economy, perceptions, attitudes, survey, qualitative analysis, quantitative analysis, convenience, privacy, cybersecurity, inclusivity.Abstract
This research explores the attitudes of the general population towards the concept of the digital economy to evaluate the impact that this phenomenon has on economic processes, consumer ehaviour, and legislation. In the current research, a mixed-methods approach was applied, meaning that qualitative data were collected via interviews and focus groups, while quantitative data were obtained via a Likert-scale survey. There were 100 participants in the study, allowing the attitudes and behaviour concerning the digital economy to be concluded.
As it appears from the results, people have diverse perceptions of the digital economy phenomenon, and they may be negative or positive. While a considerable number of people know about the advantages of digital technologies regarding greater convenience and efficiency, others expressed some worries about data security, cybersecurity, and digital literacy.
The main limitation of this study is that there is only a limited number of participants in the study, which limits the application of the results. Moreover, the use of a Likert scale to gather quantitative data could not have allowed for an analysis of all possible nuances. Although the present study has certain limitations, it is of great importance since it reveals the public perception regarding the digital economy, which could serve as a basis for further research. By developing a deeper knowledge about the public perception, policymakers and companies will be able to develop policies related to the sustainable development of the digital economy.
