The effects of innovative, consumer and social characteristics on willingness to try nano-foods

2017 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 653-690 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hsin Hsin Chang ◽  
Ching Ying Huang ◽  
Chen Su Fu ◽  
Ming Tse Hsu
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Social Capital Theory ◽  
Relative Advantage ◽  
Social Characteristics ◽  
Capital Theory ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Technology Application ◽  
Subjective Perceptions ◽  
Perceived Benefit ◽  
The Social

Purpose By integrating the diffusion of innovation (DOI) theory, technology acceptance model (TAM), and social capital theory, the purpose of this paper is to: develop a model of consumer behavior and trial willingness toward nano-foods from product, consumer, and social perspectives; examine the effects of innovative features, consumer characteristics, and trust in authority on subjective perceptions (perceived trustworthiness and perceived benefit) as well as the social influence on attitudes toward nano-foods and trial willingness; examine the moderating role of product uncertainty on the relationship between these characteristics and subjective perceptions; and examine the effect of perceived benefit on perceived trustworthiness. Design/methodology/approach The results of the structural equation model (SEM), with nano-food knowledge data collected from 431 respondents, supported the research model and revealed the main effects hypothesized in this study and the moderating effect of product uncertainty. Simple slope analysis was further adopted to test the significant moderating effects. Findings The SEM results indicated that innovative characteristics (relative advantage, lack of observability, and novelty), consumer characteristics (perceived technology application), and social characteristics (trust in authority) affect perceived trustworthiness or perceived benefit. Social influence also has a direct effect on attitude toward nano-foods and trial willingness. Product uncertainty significantly moderates the relationship between characteristics (relative advantage and perceived technology application) and subjective perceptions (perceived trustworthiness and perceived benefit). Research limitations/implications With increasing numbers and kinds of nanotechnology products now being developed and sold, it is important to go further to determine consumer perceptions and attitudes toward these. This study, thus, applied the DOI, TAM, and social capital theory to examine this issue. However, other theories might also be used to carry out research from other perspectives. This study should, thus, be seen as preliminary, and it is hoped that more works will discuss consumer attitudes toward nanotechnology products in the future. Practical implications When a new nano-food is introduced, the current study suggests that food manufacturers use the description on the package as a communicative tool. Detailing the advantages of nano-foods on food packages might be a useful way to enhance trial willingness and to reduce the fears and insecurities related to the use of nano-related products. In addition, if food manufacturers could cooperate with organizations or individuals seen as having some authority in this area (e.g. nanotechnology researchers) in order to disseminate accurate information about nanotechnology and related food products, this might be an effective way to increase sales and profits. Originality/value This is the first paper integrating the DOI, the social capital theory and the TAM to empirically investigate consumer willingness to try nano-food products.

Understanding users’ contribution in open innovation communities: a social capital perspective

Kybernetes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tao Zhou
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Open Innovation ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Social Capital Theory ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Capital Theory ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Social ◽  
Social Capital Perspective ◽  
Innovation Community

Purpose As users often lack the motivation to contribute their ideas and knowledge in open innovation communities, it is necessary to identify the determinants of users’ contribution. This paper aims to examine users’ contribution in open innovation communities based on the social capital theory. Design/methodology/approach The authors collected 474 valid responses from a survey and adopted structural equation modeling (SEM) to conduct data analysis. Findings The results indicated that social interaction, which includes informational and emotional interaction, has a significant effect on social capital, which in turn affects users’ contribution. Research limitations/implications The results imply that companies need to facilitate users’ interactions and develop social capital to promote their contribution in open innovation communities. Originality/value Although previous research has found the effect of individual motivations such as perceived benefits and behavioural control on innovation community users’ behaviour, it has seldom considered the effect of social capital embedded within the social relationship networking. This research tries to fill the gap and the results disclosed the mechanism underlying open innovation community users’ contribution.

scholarly journals Social capital stories behind young women’s drinking practices

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 294-314 ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan Godwin ◽  
Judy Drennan ◽  
Josephine Previte
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Social Marketing ◽  
Social Capital Theory ◽  
Capital Theory ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Moderate Drinking ◽  
Meso Level ◽  
Friendship Groups ◽  
The Social

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the meso-level social forces that influence moderate drinking in young women’s friendship groups through the application of social capital theory. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative inquiry was undertaken utilising peer-paired and small focus groups to explore young women’s drinking choices within their existing friendship groups. Guided by emic and etic perspectives, friendship groups were analysed to inform archetypical representations that illustrate group-level social capital exchanges. Findings The approach led to identifying four social capital and drinking archetypes. These archetypes indicate social capital-led “influencers” and “followers” and highlight the displays of capital practised by young women in alcohol consumption contexts. Research limitations/implications The social marketing insight drawn from this study of young women’s drinking behaviours will inform social marketers on future strategic directions about how they can use alternative methods to segment the social market of young female drinkers and develop value propositions that will motivate them towards adopting or maintaining moderate drinking practices. Originality/value This study contributes to social marketing theory by demonstrating the worth of social capital theory as an alternative lens for social marketers to apply in explorations of group influences that shape behaviour. The research findings in the paper demonstrate how deeper theorisation provides rich insight into the meso-level, complex behavioural influence which effect young women’s alcohol consumption.

Relative advantage of interactive electronic banking adoption by premium customers

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 357-379 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chun Kwong Chan ◽  
Yulin Fang ◽  
Huifang Li
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Financial Services ◽  
Information Acquisition ◽  
Choice Theory ◽  
Social Capital Theory ◽  
Relative Advantage ◽  
Capital Theory ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Customer Segment ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to develop a nuanced understanding of premium customers’ intent to adopt an interactive electronic channel (IEC) and the moderating role of social capital on perceived relative advantage (RA) in adoption. Design/methodology/approach Study findings are based on a field survey that investigates the launching of an IEC by a leading international bank in Hong Kong. Findings Among social capital dimensions, cognitive capital significantly weakens the relationship between efficacy of information acquisition and IEC adoption, while relational capital enhances the relationship between trust and adoption. Research limitations/implications This paper provides a theoretical lens based on social capital theory for evaluating the moderating effects of social capital on the relationship between RA and IEC adoption by premium customers in the banking industry. Practical implications Findings provide insights for the practice of banks when trying to deliver financial services via an IEC to the premium customer segment. Originality/value This research extends the channel choice theory to the context of banking channel adoption of premium customers; provides a better understanding of the IEC and its adoption in the more complex setting of financial consultation services; and offers insights for a better understanding of fragmented findings on the relationships between adoption intention and its antecedents in response to calls for studies on contingent factors.

Social capital and the learning organization

2015 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 208-219
Author(s):  
Wan Idros Wan Sulaiman ◽  
Maizatul Haizan Mahbob ◽  
Shahrul Nazmi Sannusi
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Organizational Communication ◽  
Learning Organization ◽  
Social Trust ◽  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
Social Capital Theory ◽  
Capital Theory ◽  
The Public ◽  
The Social ◽  
Pearson Correlation Test

Department of Information of Malaysia is one of the public organizations directly involved in the provision of information to the public. To ensure that all services rendered acceptable, organizational communication in the Department of Information should be given serious consideration so that each activity can be transformed properly. Therefore, this study was undertaken to assess organizational communication in a learning organization in order to see the extent to which employees have a description of social capital and support to the organization of learning activities. The main purpose of this study is to examine the relationship that is formed through the social interactions between workers and management by integrating the four aspects of social capital, namely social trust, institutional trust, social norms and networking. For this purpose, a total of 190 respondents from the Information Department headquarters staff in Putrajaya was selected for this study. The study uses questionnaires as research tool and analyses key findings using the Pearson correlation test to examine relationships between various aspects. The study also applied social capital theory as the basis of research framework the when analyzing findings. The results showed that staff describe positive social capital within the organization and consider organizational learning as a strategy to improve the performance of the department in the future.

scholarly journals Alternative approaches in the conceptualization of social capital

2007 ◽  
Vol 52 (174-175) ◽  
pp. 152-167
Author(s):  
Natasa Golubovic ◽  
Srdjan Golubovic
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Social Processes ◽  
Social Capital Theory ◽  
Consistent Theory ◽  
Capital Theory ◽  
Theoretical Position ◽  
The Social ◽  
Alternative Approaches ◽  
The Subject ◽  
Definition Of

Despite the great interest for the concept and a considerable number of papers that deal with the subject of social capital, yet there is no unique and consistent definition of social capital. Forming a consistent theory of social capital is hindered by the presence of several different approaches in the analysis of this phenomenon. Depending on the author?s theoretical position in the definition of social capital or the analysis of its sources, components and outcomes, the emphasis rests on different social processes and relationships. The aim of this paper is to analyze alternative approaches in the conceptualization of social capital, their advantages and shortfalls, and their implications for the development of the social capital theory.

scholarly journals The Relationship between Social Capital and Soft Skills among University Students

2021 ◽  
pp. 40-46
Author(s):  
Mohd Mahzan Awang ◽  
Jalal Deen Careemdeen
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
University Students ◽  
Soft Skills ◽  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
Social Capital Theory ◽  
Male Students ◽  
Soft Skill ◽  
Capital Theory ◽  
The Social ◽  
Significant Difference

This study aims at identifying the level of social capital to improve soft skills among university students in Malaysia. Social capital construct based on Putnam's [1] social capital theory. Social capital in this research refers to students' participation in community-based activities and university's clubs. Soft skills construct included university students' communication, leadership, teamwork, continuous learning, critical thinking, ethics and professionalism, and entrepreneurship skills. This study is a survey research design using a questionnaire instrument for data collection. The sample was chosen randomly, participating in a total of 264 university students in Malaysia. The study used descriptive analyses such as mean, standard deviation, t-test, and Pearson Correlation to analyze the data. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 23 was used for the data analysis The findings of study demonstrated that the majority of university students had moderate levels of both constructs, namely social capital and soft skills. Results from this study revealed that there was no significant difference in social capital based on Gender. However, the results of the study found there is a significant difference in soft skills based on Gender. Accordingly,' it has been found that male students had a higher soft skill compared to female students. Correlation analysis demonstrated that there was a significant positive relationship between social capital and soft skills. Overall, this study suggests the importance of social capital towards soft skills development.

scholarly journals tugas review artikel

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arlika Anindya Putri
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Firm Performance ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Social Capital Theory ◽  
Capital Theory ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
The Social

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to develop a structural equation model to explain the complexrelationship between social network and firm performance by introducing the mediating role of trust, sellingcapability and pricing capability.Design/methodology/approach – The research model with hypothesis development was derived basedon the literature. To provide empirical evidence, this study carried out a survey in which the data wereequated with a list of questionnaires with a random survey of 380 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) inthe Indonesian context.Findings – This study indicates that the use of social media in management process will not affect theincreasing firm performance, unless the firms build trust upon social networks. The social network with trustallows the firms to gain a pricing capability and a selling capability, which brings a positive impact on firmperformance. The results also show that the selling and the pricing capabilities become essential following theutilizing the social media, which concerns on trust building.Research limitations/implications – This study focused on the small-to-medium context, which hasconventionally provided an exemplary site for the development of social capital theory but raises issues ofgeneralizability across different contexts.Practical implications – To the managers, it is advisable to encourage their employees to consciouslyexploit the selling capability by enhancing the business networks via social media to achieve the firmperformance.Originality/value – This paper contributes to the social capital theory by explaining the mediating role oftrust in the complex relationship between social network and firm performance. This study provides evidencethat trust plays a pivotal role in social networks, which enable the observed firms to achieve the performance.

The impact of relationship between IT staff and users on employee outcomes of IT users

2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (5) ◽  
pp. 986-1007 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lin Jia ◽  
Dianne Hall ◽  
Zhijun Yan ◽  
Junjiang Liu ◽  
Terry Byrd
Keyword(s):  
Job Satisfaction ◽  
Social Capital ◽  
Job Performance ◽  
Social Capital Theory ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
Research Model ◽  
Employee Outcomes ◽  
Capital Theory ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Poor Relationship

Purpose Firms invest much money in information technology (IT) since IT support has been recognized as a critical enabler of employee outcomes. However, the value obtained by organizations and their employees is not always as much as they anticipated because of, at least partly, a poor relationship between IT staff and users. The purpose of this paper is to apply the social capital theory to examine relationship management between IT and business and explores mechanisms through which social capital between IT staff and users affect users’ employee outcomes, including job satisfaction and job performance. Design/methodology/approach Based on social capital theory and past literature, the researchers propose a research model and explore the effect of social capital on knowledge sharing, IT users’ perceived service quality, job satisfaction and ultimately job performance. Based on a survey of 289 respondents, this study applies the partial least square technique to test the research model. Findings Mediation test was performed to explore the effect mechanisms of social capital on employee outcomes, and the results indicate that three dimensions of social capital affect IT users’ job satisfaction and job performance in different approaches. Originality/value This study uses social capital theory to direct how to improve the poor relationship between IT staff and users and provides a useful insight into the mechanisms through which three dimensions of social capital improve users’ job satisfaction and job performance.

Social Capital of Youth in a Modern City: Opportunities for Empirical Research

2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 130-140
Author(s):  
Anna Vladimirovna Shentyakova
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Social Capital Theory ◽  
High Population Density ◽  
Behavioral Models ◽  
Capital Theory ◽  
Large Cities ◽  
Institutional Approach ◽  
The Social ◽  
Behavior Motivation ◽  
Network Component

Modern megalopolis concentrates all groups of resources including economic, political, cultural, information, human resources, etc. The high population density, economic and geographic situation, complex multiethnic and multicultural structure of large cities contribute to certain types of values and behavioral models in the younger generation. The neo-institutional approach and social capital theory were chosen as a methodological basis. The article examines a number of methodological works devoted to various aspects of the social capital and explores the opportunity for this concept application for analysis of the protest behavior motivation and assessment of the protest potential of young people. Combination of the economic model of multilevel analysis for measuring social capital by S.А. Sysoev and socio-political parameters for the empirical part allowed to clearly defining the main categories and indicators of analysis. Measuring the levels of social capital of a megalopolis with the inclusion a network component expands the range of opportunities for assessing and identifying the protest potential of large Russian cities residents.

Social capital affects job performance through social media

2020 ◽  
Vol 120 (5) ◽  
pp. 903-922
Author(s):  
Yung-Shen Yen ◽  
Mei-Chun Chen ◽  
Chun-Hsiung Su
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Job Performance ◽  
Social Capital Theory ◽  
Capital Theory ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Bonding Social Capital ◽  
Bridging Social Capital ◽  
Female Workers ◽  
Male Workers

PurposeThis study aims to explore the impact of social capital on job performance when workers interact with coworkers through social media in organizations.Design/methodology/approachStructural equation modeling was conducted, and a sample of 230 workers in Taiwan was investigated.FindingsThis study found that bonding social capital has a greater impact on job performance than bridging social capital for interactions among coworkers through social media in organizations. Moreover, bridging social capital affects job performance more strongly for male workers than for female workers, but bonding social capital affects job performance more strongly for female workers than for male workers.Research limitations/implicationsThis study extended social capital theory by adding the mediating effects of job satisfaction and relational satisfaction and the moderating effect of gender into the model.Practical implicationsThis study suggests that company managers need to train workers how to use social media to appropriate their affordances and consider the work team relationship to position adequate strategies for male and female workers.Originality/valueThis study advances the previous knowledge of social capital theory for workers interacting with coworkers through social media in organizations.

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