With rapid digital innovation, social support strategies are increasingly embedded in Academic Social Networking Sites (ASNSs) to shape user perceptions and behaviors. However, limited empirical research has examined how these strategies influence users’ credibility perceptions and behavioral intentions. Credibility, a key factor driving participation on ASNSs, remains underexplored in this context. This study investigates the role of seven social support strategies within the Persuasive System Design (PSD) framework. It examines their effect on credibility perceptions, as well as the effects of credibility on perceived persuasiveness and continuous use intentions. Using data from 255 ASNS users and Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM), results show that several social support strategies significantly shape perceived social learning, which strongly influences credibility perceptions. Additionally, perceived persuasiveness mediates the relationship between perceived credibility and continuous use intention. The findings offer practical insights for designing ASNSs that enhance credibility, persuasiveness, and sustained engagement.

The role of credibility in persuasive systems is undoubted. It is therefore important that the determinants of credibility are clearly understood. Studies have asserted that personalizing persuasive principles, for instance, based on users’ personality, age, or gender is more effective in influencing behavior. However, there is little knowledge on how credibility determinants can be adapted to increase a system's credibility and system persuasiveness for specific users. This paper describes ongoing research that attempts to categorize credibility determinants based on their effectiveness for different users and contexts. The paper presents the research plan and findings from three initial studies.

With technology being ubiquitous in our daily lives, it is crucial to understand the factors that influence their perceived credibility. In the current research, we focus on the design of Academic Social Networking Sites (ASNSs). In order to facilitate continuous adoption and use of ASNSs, it is important to understand the factors that determine their Perceived Credibility. Using the Persuasive System Design (PSD) framework as a foundation, the study investigated which of these four key constructs (i.e. Perceived Aesthetics, Perceived Usability, Perceived Usefulness and Perceived Primary Task Support) are the most relevant determinants of the Perceived Credibility of ASNSs. In an online survey, the current research assessed this research model. The results of Partial Least Square analyses confirmed that Perceived Aesthetics, Perceived Usefulness and Perceived Primary Task Support are determinants of Perceived Credibility but provided no evidence for Perceived Usability as a determinant. Moreover, the results showed that Perceived Primary Task Support was the most relevant determinant of Perceived Credibility. Implications of these findings are discussed.

Social networking sites enable people to connect, communicate and share ideas. These sites have therefore become key for information sharing. Particularly, academics and researchers have adopted them for networking and collaborations. This study seeks to investigate how embedded persuasive features on social networking sites designed for academics and researchers affect continuous use intention. The study adopted an existing model for assessing the effectiveness of persuasive features on systems and sampled 416 participants who are engaged in academic research and analyzed their responses. The results indicate that Social Support, Computer–Human Dialogue Support and Primary Task Support significantly impact how users perceive social networking sites designed for effective academic work. Contrary to existing knowledge that Perceived Credibility, Perceived Effectiveness, Perceived Effort and Perceived Social Support all impact an individual’s Intention to Continuous Use of a system, only Perceived Credibility was observed to impact Intention to Use continuously. The findings also proved that affective ties and mutual support on academic social networking sites influence behaviour.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to determine which factors influence information system security policy compliance. It examines how different norms influence compliance intention. Design/methodology/approach Based on relevant literature on information system security policy compliance, a research model was developed and validated. An online questionnaire was used to gather data from respondents and partial least square structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) was used to analyse 432 responses received. Findings The results indicated that attitude towards information security compliance mediates the effects of personal norms on compliance intention. In addition, descriptive and subjective norms are significant predictors of personal norms. Originality/value Though advancement in technology has reached significant heights, it is still inadequate to guaranteed information systems’ security. Researchers have identified humans to be central in ensuring information security. To this effect, this study provides empirical evidence of the role of norms in influence information security behaviour.