Why future friends matter: impact of expectancy of relational growth on online gamer loyalty

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (5) ◽  
pp. 1479-1501
Author(s):  
Gen-Yih Liao ◽  
Tzu-Ling Huang ◽  
T.C.E. Cheng ◽  
Ching-I Teng
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Online Communication ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Strong Impact ◽  
Online Relationships ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Current State ◽  
Future State ◽  
Norm Compliance ◽  
Cohesion Theory

PurposeRelational cohesion theory posits that relational cohesion helps build relationships among communication partners, implying that users would expect a growth in relations or making more friends in the future. However, little is known about expectancy of a better future state of relations, i.e. expectancy of relational growth, and its impact on users' continued engagement in online communication. Our study extends relational cohesion theory to explain how expectancy of relational growth impacts online gamer loyalty.Design/methodology/approachWe test the framework using structural equation modeling to analyze a large sample of 1,429 responses from online gamers.FindingsWe find that expectancy of relational growth is positively related to norm compliance and relational cohesion, which are further related to network convergence and interdependence, fostering online gamer loyalty.Originality/valueThe findings contribute to relational cohesion theory by identifying novel sources of relational cohesion, i.e. expectancy of relational growth and norm compliance. Hence, game providers should create gamers' expectancy of growth in online relationships. Such expectancy could motivate continued gaming communication, even when gamers are not satisfied with the current state of online relationships. Moreover, we propose the new concept of expectancy of relational growth, which should have a strong impact on online communication in various areas.

Cyber incivility and knowledge hoarding: Does interactional justice matter?

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nader Mohammad Aljawarneh ◽  
Khaled Abd kader Alomari ◽  
Ziyad Saleh Alomari ◽  
Omar Taha
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation Modeling ◽  
Social Exchange ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Interactional Justice ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Telecommunication Service ◽  
Strong Impact ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Knowledge Hoarding

Purpose The current explanations in the cyber incivility and knowledge hoarding literature suffer from two problems. The first is a lack of cogent explanation of cyber incivility and knowledge hoarding from social exchange theory (SET) perspective. The second is the unexplained attenuating propensity of justice on the connection between cyber incivility and knowledge hoarding, more specifically, interactional justice. Design/methodology/approach This paper uses a simple random sampling method to obtain cross-sectional data from 223 employees working in IT and telecommunication service companies in Jordan. The obtained data were analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) technique also known as variance-based structural equation modeling. Findings By applying SET theoretical lens and PLS-SEM, the authors show that cyber incivility exerts strong impact on knowledge hoarding, and interactional justice may not always function as a buffer. That is, the association between cyber incivility and knowledge hoarding is not impacted by interactional justice levels. Originality/value The contribution of this paper builds on the lack of practical comprehension on the association between cyber incivility and knowledge hoarding and the role played by interactional justice. Implications for theory and practice are discussed.

scholarly journals Structural equation modeling in cloud computing studies: a systematic literature review

Kybernetes ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 49 (3) ◽  
pp. 982-1019
Author(s):  
Erhan Pişirir ◽  
Erkan Uçar ◽  
Oumout Chouseinoglou ◽  
Cüneyt Sevgi
Keyword(s):  
Cloud Computing ◽  
Structural Equation Modeling ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Systematic Literature Review ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Security And Privacy ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Current State ◽  
Sem Studies

Purpose This study aims to examine the current state of literature on structural equation modeling (SEM) studies in “cloud computing” domain with respect to study domains of research studies, theories and frameworks they use and SEM models they design. Design/methodology/approach Systematic literature review (SLR) protocol is followed. In total, 96 cloud computing studies from 2009 to June 2018 that used SEM obtained from four databases are selected, and relevant data are extracted to answer the research questions. Findings A trend of increasing SEM usage over years in cloud studies is observed, where technology adoption studies are found to be more common than the use studies. Articles appear under four main domains, namely, business, personal use, education and health care. Technology acceptance model (TAM) is found to be the most commonly used theory. Adoption, intention to use and actual usage are the most common selections for dependent variables in SEM models, whereas security and privacy concerns, costs, ease of use, risks and usefulness are the most common selections for causal factors. Originality/value Previous cloud computing SLR studies did not focus on statistical analysis method used in primary studies. This review will display the current state of SEM studies in cloud domain for all future academics and practical professionals.

How does greenwashing affect green branding equity and purchase intention? An empirical research

2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (7) ◽  
pp. 809-824 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ulun Akturan
Keyword(s):  
Brand Equity ◽  
Purchase Intention ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Strong Impact ◽  
Brand Associations ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Brand Credibility ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship among greenwashing, green brand equity, brand credibility, green brand associations and purchase intention. Design/methodology/approach As an object to study, two brands were chosen: a high-involved brand and a low-involved brand. Data were collected from 500 consumers by survey method, and structural equation modeling was run to test the research hypotheses. Findings As a result, it was found that green brand associations and brand credibility positively affect green brand equity, and green brand equity has a positive and strong impact on purchase intention of consumers. In addition to that greenwashing negatively affects green brand associations and brand credibility, and therefore, indirectly influence green brand equity and purchase intention. Research limitations/implications Previous studies conceptualize greenwashing and examine its effects on company performance and skepticism. This study is a first attempt to explore the effects of greenwashing on green branding strategies. Practical implications Managers should be aware of that greenwashing not only negatively affects purchase intention but also generates negative outcomes for the relationship with the brands. Originality/value There is no other study, at least to the author’s knowledge, testing the effects of greenwashing on green brand perceptions and green purchase intention.

The environment-strategy-structure fit and performance of industrial servitized SMEs

2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 301-328 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laure Ambroise ◽  
Isabelle Prim-Allaz ◽  
Christine Teyssier ◽  
Sophie Peillon
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Financial Performance ◽  
Business Model ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Organizational Design ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Strong Impact ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the environment-strategy-structure fit in the context of industrial servitization and its impact on the profitability of manufacturing SMEs. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected from face-to-face interviews with the CEOs of 184 French manufacturing SMEs. These primary data were complemented by the indicators extracted from a financial database to ensure objective measures of financial performance. Analyses were conducted by means of partial least squares structural equation modeling. Findings The research tests the impact of the organizational design (customer interface, service delivery system and service culture (SC)) on financial performance. It also tests the moderating effect on this relationship of servitization strategies adopted by the firm (added services (AS), activities reconfiguration (AR) and business model reconfiguration (BMR)) and the environment in which the firm is situated (industry dynamism, competitive intensity and industry munificence). Research limitations/implications This study considers the coalescence of the environment-strategy-structure to be a driver of firm performance in the context of industrial firms’ servitization. Three specific servitization strategies (AS, AR and BMR) are suggested based on the service offering’s impact on the customer’s activity chain or business model. Practical implications The research proposes some optimal organizational design depending on servitization strategy and environmental factors; for example, SC has a strong impact on financial performance when BMR is adopted. Originality/value This empirical study is based on an extended sample of 184 SMEs and provides quantitative support for the claim that good alignment between strategy and organizational design based on environmental factors increases profitability.

scholarly journals Entrepreneurial orientation and international performance of born global firms: the mediating role of entrepreneurial competencies

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nida Gull ◽  
Muhammad Asghar ◽  
Qader Aleem Ahmed ◽  
Asim Rafique Muhammad ◽  
Ahmed Syed Jameel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Entrepreneurial Orientation ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Organizational Capabilities ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Strong Impact ◽  
Born Global ◽  
Content Type ◽  
International Performance ◽  
Entrepreneurial Competencies ◽  
Born Global Firms

Purpose This study aims to extend the understanding of entrepreneurial orientation (EO) by investigating the international EO (IEO) from the perspective of the international performance of born global firms. The born global firm's EOs toward global firms led to innovation and dynamic organizational capabilities and to improve the firms' international performance and development. Design/methodology/approach It is a hypothesis that IEO predicted that utilization of export promotion programs (EPPs) would be positively associated with international performance. The samples of 405 respondents were collected from born global firms to acquire higher international performance of firms in China. Structural equation modeling (SEM) and mediation analysis are processed to test the proposed hypotheses empirically. Findings The results from the SEM test revealed that the network relationships and utilization of EPPs fully mediate the effect of IEO on international performance. These results indicate that not only IEO is an important factor of network relationships but also the utilization of EPPs and international performance for born global firms. IEO can motivate managers to find the right network relationships and ultimately improve company performance. The IEO of the initiative has strong impact on the performance of international firms. Originality/value There is a comprehensive view among the relationships of IEO, entrepreneurial competencies and the network utilization of government EPPs, international performance in the context of born global firms. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed in detail.

Teenagers’ eWOM intentions: a nature vs nurture perspective

2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 470-483 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anubhav Mishra ◽  
Satish S. Maheswarappa ◽  
Moutusy Maity ◽  
Sridhar Samu
Keyword(s):  
Family Communication ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Online Communication ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Moderating Effect ◽  
Internet Usage ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Nature Vs Nurture

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of parents (via family communication patterns) on teenagers’ electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM) intentions, via a serial mediation by internet usage and self-esteem, along with the moderating effect of online impression. Design/methodology/approach A conceptual model was developed based on the nature vs nurture perspective and theory of consumer socialization. Structural equation modeling was applied to investigate the interplay among proposed variables, using a sample of 797 teenage respondents in India. Findings The findings indicate that family communication, internet usage, and self-esteem are significant antecedents to eWOM intents of teenagers. Also, online impression is a strong moderator which influences whether teenagers would engage in eWOM activities or not. Research limitations/implications This study presents actionable items for marketers interested in teenage consumers in an emerging economy. Marketers can benefit by tailoring their online communication to influence parent’s attitude toward the internet and to enhance online impression of teenagers to substantially increase eWOM dispersion. Originality/value This study provides original insights about how parents and individual characteristics act as antecedents and impact teenagers’ eWOM intentions including the moderating effect of online impression.

What drives people to participate in online firestorms?

2020 ◽  
Vol 44 (3) ◽  
pp. 563-581
Author(s):  
Maria Gruber ◽  
Christiane Mayer ◽  
Sabine A. Einwiller
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Online Communication ◽  
Ordinary Least Squares ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Least Squares Regression ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Collective Actors ◽  
Communication Environments

PurposeSocial media empower individuals to voice their opinions about issues that they perceive to be unacceptable. When many others add their opinions and large quantities of messages containing negative word-of-mouth suddenly spread online, an online firestorm occurs. By extending the situational theory of problem solving (Kim and Grunig, 2011) into the domain of online communication, this study aims to identify the drivers for participating in online firestorms.Design/methodology/approachWith reference to a fictitious online firestorm trigger (i.e. perceived moral misconduct) posted on Facebook, a qualitative pre-study and quantitative online survey were conducted. Based on the responses of 410 participants, an ordinary least squares regression was modeled to examine the factors of participating in the online firestorm. Later, structural equation modeling was applied to test the model and gauge its fit with the data.FindingsParticipants' involvement recognition, perception of being collective actors and approval of slacktivism behaviors positively predicted their participation in the online firestorm, whereas non-anonymity hampered it.Originality/valueThe study's findings not only contribute to the current understandings of online firestorms but are also valuable for developing theory and forms of professional crisis management. Moreover, they offer insights into the factors of online communication environments that encourage users to voice their opinions.

B2B brand equity: investigating the effects of human capital and relational trust

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Galina Biedenbach ◽  
Peter Hultén ◽  
Veronika Tarnovskaya
Keyword(s):  
Human Capital ◽  
Brand Equity ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Relational Trust ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Strong Impact ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Positive Effects

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of human capital and relational trust on business-to-business (B2B) brand equity.Design/methodology/approachData collection was conducted among the clients of one of the Big Four auditing firms in Sweden. Structural equation modeling was used to test the hypothesized effects.FindingsThe results demonstrate positive effects of human capital and relational trust on the core dimensions of brand equity. In the context of the professional services, human capital was found to have a stronger direct impact than relational trust on brand associations, perceived quality and brand loyalty.Practical implicationsThe study provides practical recommendations for marketing managers on how to consider the nature of B2B brand equity and its determinants in developing successful branding strategies. The findings indicate that although relational trust has a positive impact on brand equity, it draws on the clients’ positive perceptions of the service providers’ human capital. Thus, investments that generate positive perceptions of a service provider’s human capital will strengthen its competitive position. Leading to the creation of relational trust and having a strong impact on the dimensions of brand equity, human capital is a strategic asset that needs careful management.Originality/valueThe study advances extant knowledge on B2B brand equity by examining contextual conditions and factors that are critical for building strong brands in industrial markets. The study demonstrates that clients’ perceptions about the knowledge, skills and abilities of service providers are more important than relational trust for enhancing B2B brand equity.

scholarly journals Relational cohesion between users and smart voice assistants

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Blanca Hernández-Ortega ◽  
Joaquin Aldas-Manzano ◽  
Ivani Ferreira
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Positive Emotions ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
User Engagement ◽  
Measurement Scales ◽  
Frequent User ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Brand Engagement ◽  
Cohesion Theory ◽  
Smart Technologies

Purpose This study aims to examine users’ affective relationships with smart voice assistants (SVAs) and aims to analyze how these relationships explain user engagement behaviors toward the brands of SVAs. Drawing on relational cohesion theory, it proposes that cohesion between users and SVAs influences brand engagement behaviors, that is, continuing purchasing other products of the brand, providing knowledge to the brand and referring the brand. Design/methodology/approach Data from a survey of 717 US regular SVA users confirm the validity of the measurement scales and provide the input for the covariance-based structural equation modeling. Findings The results demonstrate that frequent user-SVA interactions evoke positive emotions, which encourage cohesive relationships. Pleasured-satisfaction and interest emerge as strong emotions. Moreover, relational cohesion between users and SVAs promotes engagement with the brand of the assistant. Originality/value This paper applies an interpersonal approach in a context that, to date, has been examined from a predominantly technological perspective. It shows that users develop positive emotions toward smart technologies through their interactions, and establishes the importance of building affective relationships. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to analyze cohesion between users and smart technologies and to examine the effect of this cohesion on user engagement with the brand.

How Communication in Organizations Is Related to Foci of Commitment and Turnover Intentions

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Sebastian Holzwarth ◽  
George Gunnesch-Luca ◽  
Roman Soucek ◽  
Klaus Moser
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Communication ◽  
Turnover Intention ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Affective Commitment ◽  
Turnover Intentions ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Confirmatory Factor ◽  
Communication In Organizations ◽  
Cohesion Theory

Abstract. The current study analyzes how two components of perceived organizational communication (vertical and horizontal) are related to employee turnover intentions via three types of affective commitment foci (organization, supervisor, and team). Using second-order confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling techniques with a large cross-sectional dataset ( n = 3,317), our results show that, in line with social cohesion theory, vertical communication (e.g., supportiveness from the organization) is strongly related to affective organizational commitment, whereas horizontal communication (e.g., supportiveness from colleagues) is primarily related to affective team commitment. Additionally, both communication dimensions are related to affective supervisory commitment. Finally, these three foci of affective commitment incrementally explain and differentially mediate the relationship between perceived organizational communication and turnover intention.

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