International Journal of Business and Management Investigating the User Behavior of Peer-to-Peer File Sharing Software
Abstract
In recent years, peer-to-peer file sharing has been a hotly debated topic in the fields of computer science, the
music industry, and the movie industry. The purpose of this research was to examine the user behavior of
peer-to-peer file-sharing software. A methodology of naturalistic inquiry that involved qualitative interviews was
used to collect data from 21 university students in Taiwan.
The results of the study revealed that a substantial amount of P2P file-sharing software is available to users. The
main reasons for using P2P file-sharing software are to save money, save time, and to access files that are no
longer available in stores. A majority of respondents use P2P file-sharing software to download music, movies,
and software, and the respondents generally perceive the use of such software as neither illegal nor unethical.
Furthermore, most users are free-riders, which means that they do not contribute files to the sharing process.
music industry, and the movie industry. The purpose of this research was to examine the user behavior of
peer-to-peer file-sharing software. A methodology of naturalistic inquiry that involved qualitative interviews was
used to collect data from 21 university students in Taiwan.
The results of the study revealed that a substantial amount of P2P file-sharing software is available to users. The
main reasons for using P2P file-sharing software are to save money, save time, and to access files that are no
longer available in stores. A majority of respondents use P2P file-sharing software to download music, movies,
and software, and the respondents generally perceive the use of such software as neither illegal nor unethical.
Furthermore, most users are free-riders, which means that they do not contribute files to the sharing process.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
International Journal of Business and Management ISSN 1833-3850 (Print) ISSN 1833-8119 (Online)
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