Understanding user resistance to participation in multihop communications

Abstract

Multihop communications will be a key element and will play an important role in 4G wireless networks. To deliver multihop functionality successfully, user participation is imperative. Unfortunately, users of a network may not wish to forward data for others and consume their own scarce resources without rewards. There is an inherent tension between an individual's rationality and whole network welfare, reducing the viability of multihop communications. To understand better why users may be resistant to multihop communications and the sources of such resistance, we propose 4 types of perceived risk that generate such resistance. Based on an online survey, this study found new theoretical links among perceived risk, resistance and participation intention. Copyright © 2009 International Communication Association.