How does Weibo keep users hooked? A Weibo addictive behavior study based on netnography

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 176-195
Author(s):  
Heping He ◽  
Yanni Liu ◽  
Zhimin Zhou
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Rapid Development ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Addictive Behavior ◽  
Social Needs ◽  
Self Control ◽  
Marketing Ethics ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Social Media Service

Purpose With the rapid development of social media in the past few years, some dark aspects of usage have appeared, e.g., Weibo addiction. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to address the question of how Weibo keeps users hooked. Design/methodology/approach The study utilizes the netnography method to explore the symptoms of Weibo addiction and how it is formed. Findings First, some Weibo users have typical symptoms of addictive behavior, such as withdrawal, loss of control and general living problems; second, narcissism plays an important role in the process of Weibo addiction and has a stronger effect on content generation than content consumption; third, some users use Weibo as a means to alleviate anxiety, but they can then become more anxious owing to addiction; and fourth, the effect of comments has two sides – on the one hand, comments are one kind of feedback to posts, satisfying posters’ social needs, while on the other hand, a storytelling system consists of one post and its comments, upon which some Weibo users become more dependent. Research limitations/implications This research is only a preliminary, exploratory study. Therefore, care should be taken when interpreting these findings. Practical implications This study should help social media service providers and users to pay attention to the risk of social media addiction. Social media service providers should take social responsibility, design more user-oriented guidelines for marketing ethics and launch more responsible marketing activities. Users should enhance self-control and better balance social media use and offline real life. Originality/value Netnography has not been widely used as an addictive behavior research technique. This study is further bolstered because it has also noticed the difference of addiction mechanisms between addictive micro-bloggers and their followers.

Measuring personal and academic differences in students’ perceived social media credibility

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Iqra Bashir ◽  
Amara Malik ◽  
Khalid Mahmood
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
University Students ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Literacy Programs ◽  
Academic Disciplines ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Media Credibility ◽  
Social Media Service ◽  
Programs Of Study

Purpose Social media is a popular source for information sharing in the contemporary world. Social media allow individuals to create, publish and diffuse contents directly. This openness has increased the risk of running into misinformation and raised questions about credibility of information shared. This study aims to examine the credibility of social media through the perceptions of university students. It also intends to see the difference in opinions based on their gender, academic disciplines and programs of study. Design/methodology/approach The study was based on a cross-sectional survey; a structured questionnaire was developed by consulting the relevant literature. Students were selected on convenient basis from all the programs of four universities of Faisalabad, Pakistan. Four hundred students were selected randomly from each university. Findings The findings indicated that students considered social media partially credible. Currency, community wellness, understandability and completeness of information were the highly rated facets, while factual and unbiased information was the low rated aspects. The perceived credibility of social media among the university students was the same across genders, programs of study and academic disciplines. Research limitations/implications The study may be helpful for social media service providers to address the concerns that students had in their perception regarding its credibility. Originality/value This study may likely benefit faculty members, researchers, librarians/information professionals and digital libraries to understand the students’ concerns about social media credibility from a developing country’s perspective. Such understanding will enable them to better address, educate and train university students at how to evaluate the quality of information on social media by offering information literacy programs. It is direly needed that university libraries should train the students to be proficient in assessing the quality of information by offering information or digital literacy programs. Moreover, the study may be helpful for social media service providers to address the concerns that students had in their perception regarding its credibility.

Self-disclosure of social media users in Indonesia: the influence of personal and social media factors

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mona Natasha Siahaan ◽  
Putu Wuri Handayani ◽  
Fatimah Azzahro
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Emotional Needs ◽  
Self Disclosure ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Social And Emotional ◽  
Equation Modelling ◽  
Group Data

PurposeIn the context of social media (SM) use, self-disclosure (SD) behaviour meets users' social and emotional needs, but it is also accompanied by risks that can harm users. This paper aims to identify the factors that influence users' SD behaviour on SM in Indonesia, using a comparative analysis based on age groups.Design/methodology/approachA survey was conducted on 2,210 respondents who were active SM users in Indonesia. Data were processed and analysed using covariance-based structural equation modelling with AMOS 24.0 software.FindingsResults indicate that, in the overall age group data, factors such as use of information (UI), trust, privacy control (PC), interactivity, perceived benefits (PB) and perceived risks (PR) influence users' SD behaviour. This research also found differences in the characteristics of SD behaviour between age groups.Originality/valueFindings from this study can help SM service providers to evaluate the credibility and reliability of their platforms to encourage user retention.

New Indian online rules risk state overreach and abuse

2021 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
News Media ◽  
Public Discourse ◽  
Hate Speech ◽  
Central Government ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Online News ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Digital Service ◽  
The Government

Significance The new rules follow a stand-off between Twitter and the central government last month over some posts and accounts. The government has used this stand-off as an opportunity not only to tighten rules governing social media, including Twitter, WhatsApp, Facebook and LinkedIn, but also those for other digital service providers including news publishers and entertainment streaming companies. Impacts Government moves against dominant social media platforms will boost the appeal of smaller platforms with light or no content moderation. Hate speech and harmful disinformation are especially hard to control and curb on smaller platforms. The new rules will have a chilling effect on online public discourse, increasing self-censorship (at the very least). Government action against online news media would undercut fundamental democratic freedoms and the right to dissent. Since US-based companies dominate key segments of the Indian digital market, India’s restrictive rules could mar India-US ties.

To pay or not to pay: understanding mobile game app users' unwillingness to pay for in-app purchases

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Imam Salehudin ◽  
Frank Alpert
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Self Control ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mobile Game ◽  
Alternative Framework ◽  
Novel Concept ◽  
Perceived Unfairness ◽  
User Review

PurposeWorldwide In-app Purchase (IAP) revenues reached almost US$37 billion in 2017 and doubled that in 2020. Although the revenue from IAPs exceeds those from paid apps, only 5% of total app users make any IAPs. This paper investigates why some users will not make IAPs and develop a novel concept of users' Perceived Aggressive Monetization of IAPs as an alternative framework to explain IAP behavior.Design/methodology/approachGiven the newness of IAPs, this study uses qualitative research to understand the phenomenon and develop a model to explain the decision to spend on IAPs. In total, this study collected 4,092 unique user-generated comments from app user review sites and social media webpages where users discuss in-app purchasing.FindingsThe analysis reveals recurring themes that explain user unwillingness to make in-app purchases, such as conflicting meanings of free-to-play, perceived unfairness and aggressive monetization of IAP by app publishers, and self-control issues. Subsequent user interviews support the themes and suggest that IAP spending might be more impulsive.Originality/valueThe paper develops a new concept of perceived aggressive monetization. Additionally, it proposes a novel theoretical framework that future researchers can use to understand why some mobile game users are unwilling to pay for IAPs.

What to say on social media and how

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (5/6) ◽  
pp. 691-707 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jintao Wu ◽  
Junsong Chen ◽  
Honghui Chen ◽  
Wenyu Dou ◽  
Dan Shao
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Online Communication ◽  
Communication Style ◽  
Customer Engagement ◽  
Communication Styles ◽  
Message Content ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Moderating Factors ◽  
Building Community

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate how nonprofit service providers can better engage their customers through online communication. It identifies two communication styles and three communication functions, and examines their impact on customer commenting, customer liking and customer sharing. Design/methodology/approach Similar to Python for Facebook, a software package for the automatic retrieval of web page content was developed specifically for this study to extract data from the microblog Sina Weibo. Following the successful retrieval of 1,500 randomly selected messages from 34 universities in China, a two-level regression was performed using Mplus 7 to examine the association between the proposed relationships. Findings The findings reveal that messages with a friendly communication style increase both the number of comments and their positive tone; an authoritative style has no effect on customer engagement. The functions associated with message content (spreading information, building community or promoting action) influence customer liking and sharing. Building community tends to engage more customers than spreading information; promoting action often generates the least customer engagement in social media settings. Originality/value The study fills an important research gap in the service marketing literature as it pertains to nonprofit service organizations (i.e. universities) by identifying two types of online identities based on the communication style and the messages posted on social media. This study is the first to investigate the relationship between identity type and audience engagement, and to analyze the moderating factors of this relationship.

The role of social media during the pre-purchasing stage

2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 84-99 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sujin Song ◽  
Myongjee Yoo
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Survey Design ◽  
Rapid Development ◽  
Purchase Decision ◽  
Large Set ◽  
Psychological Benefits ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Price Discounts

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine whether social media may impact a customer’s purchasing decision during the pre-purchase stage of service consumption. Design/methodology/approach – This study implemented a primary field survey design and developed an online self-administered questionnaire. A total of 285 usable questionnaires were collected. Factor analysis was performed to condense the large set of independent variables, and multiple regression analysis was performed to test the study hypotheses. Findings – The results indicate that the benefits of social media do have a positive relation with customers purchase decision, but not all items are crucial to a similar extent. Functional (convenience, efficiency, information, sharing experiences) and monetary (free coupons, price discounts, special deals) benefits from social media were found to have a positive impact on customers’ purchase decision (H1, H2), while socio-psychological benefits were found to have no relationship with customers’ decision (H4). Still, hedonic benefits (amusement, enjoyment, entertainment, fun) were found to have a relationship with purchase decision (H3). Originality/value – While social media received much attention in research due to its rapid development and its popularity, there are still limited studies that investigated the effect of social media during the pre-purchasing stage. Findings of this study are expected to contribute to the growing body of hospitality research on social media. Additionally, this research is expected to assist hospitality businesses to understand customers’ behavior regards to social media and develop appropriate marketing strategies.

scholarly journals Using e-wallet for business process development: challenges and prospects in Malaysia

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Md. Mahmudul Alam ◽  
Ala Eldin Awawdeh ◽  
Azim Izzuddin Bin Muhamad
Keyword(s):  
Customer Service ◽  
Service Management ◽  
Swot Analysis ◽  
Process Development ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Rapid Development ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The World Bank ◽  
Market Opportunities

PurposeThis study aims to explore the challenges and prospects of using e-wallets in Malaysia, and what it means for businesses and customers. Suggested here are strategies to leverage the strengths and opportunities as well as overcome the weaknesses and threats. Suggested here are strategies to leverage the strengths and opportunities as well as overcome the weaknesses and threats.Design/methodology/approachThis study analyses the e-wallet phenomenon using a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analysis to assess Malaysian business development. It is supported with findings from the literature and secondary data. The relevant secondary data were collected from Bank Negara Malaysia and the World Bank.FindingsThis study shows that e-wallets in Malaysia have still not achieved their purpose but there is huge potential to do so. The SWOT analysis identified several strengths (e.g. financial incorporation, easy to access, protection and safety, simple for other accounts to connect to, product and consumer service management, quick to implement/administer), weaknesses (e.g. lack of infrastructure and the “tapping” of devices already cornered by the mobile phone market, opportunities (e.g. eliminating fraud, better customer service, promotion/loyalty that can be built into customer experience) and threats (e.g. attacks from viruses, frequent inquiries whether multiple wallets can be used by clients, the concerns of reckless spending behaviour of the e-wallet users).Research limitations/implicationsThis study is crucial for assessing the current situation and the prospects of e-wallets in Malaysia. This study also offers significant insights for policymakers and e-wallet service providers to develop appropriate strategies to enhance e-wallet services in Malaysia.Originality/valueThis paper is the first of its kind to integrate a SWOT analysis and the rapid development of the e-wallet market in Malaysia. Hence, the findings could broaden our knowledge on the fintech industry and enable firms to participate in the e-wallet market.

Are you traveling alone or with your device? The impact of connected mobile device usage on the travel experience

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alinda Kokkinou ◽  
Emma Tremiliti ◽  
Marc van Iwaarden ◽  
Ondrej Mitas ◽  
Sebastiaan Straatman
Keyword(s):  
Mobile Devices ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Ecological Validity ◽  
Field Research ◽  
Social Needs ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Tourist Experience ◽  
The Impact

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to explore how tourists use connected mobile devices such as smartphones to manage their tourist experience.Design/methodology/approachA multi-method, cross-sectional approach was used consisting of questionnaires about tourists self-reported use of connected mobile devices and recorded observations of tourists' interaction with their devices.FindingsRespondents who reported a more intense use of their connected mobile devices also reported a heightened tourist experience. Specifically, high users reported more intense emotions and expressed the belief that using their device improved the quality of their vacation. More extensive use of connected mobile devices was also linked to the perception that waits for attractions and restaurants were shorter.Research limitations/implicationsWhile the data and methods employed do not allow for testing of causality, the field research approach provides the benefit of high ecological validity, complementing previous studies on this topic.Practical implicationsCommercial service providers should explore ways to stimulate the use of devices, for instance by offering information about the attraction, or by providing an attractive setting for tourists taking photos. This contributes to shorter time perception and improved visitor evaluations.Originality/valueTourists' use of connected mobile devices to manage their tourist experience varies in terms of quality and intensity. Findings show that travelers know how to use their smartphones in a way that best suit their information and social needs.

Social media use for supporting mental health (SMILE)

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gill Brown ◽  
Amy Leigh Rathbone ◽  
Julie Prescott
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Personal Control ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Support Mechanism ◽  
Mental Health Issues

Purpose The SMILE study (social media as informal support for people with mental illness: an exploratory study) aimed to explore how people with mental health issues use and value social media as a support mechanism. Design/methodology/approach A systematic search of Facebook and Twitter identified groups and pages relating to mental health issues. In total, 203 users over the age of 18 were recruited via Facebook and Twitter. Any user who considered themselves to experience mental health problems could opt to participate and no exclusion criteria were applied. A mixed-methods online survey retrieved demographic and qualitative data by asking users to describe their personal experiences when using social media for mental health support. Findings Users perceive Facebook and Twitter as useful online resources to gain informational and emotional support and to share experiences. The benefits were; ease of access, anonymity and personal control over engagement levels. Users had subjective experiences of engagement, however, overall these were deemed positive. Using Facebook and Twitter for mental health provided users with a sense of connectedness and reduced feelings of isolation. Originality/value The qualitative methodology allowed participants to share their experiences and views, with positive implications for services. Social media was discussed as a prospective tool for raising awareness and reducing stigma. The study highlights the scope for mental health service providers to tap into the social media consumer market and provide quality online support provision.

Service co-creation on social media: varieties and measures among nonprofit organizations

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fatuma Namisango ◽  
Kyeong Kang ◽  
Junaid Rehman
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Nonprofit Organizations ◽  
Nonprofit Sector ◽  
Social Needs ◽  
Mixed Methods Design ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Multidimensional Measure ◽  
Strategic Value ◽  
Social Media Platforms ◽  
Service Experiences

PurposeLittle is known about the variations in service co-creation on social media, despite the resource integrating capabilities and co-creator roles afforded by these platforms. The gap is even more troubling in the nonprofit sector, where leveraging public interaction on social media is prevalent and vital to charitable and philanthropic endeavors. Arguably, such interaction is embedded in resource integrating activities leading to nonprofit service co-creation. This paper reports the forms, dimensions or service co-creation measures enabled by social media use in the nonprofits' sector.Design/methodology/approachThe authors conducted a sequential exploratory mixed methods design. First, the authors interviewed 19 social media managers in education, health and social service nonprofit organizations to identify the varieties in service co-creation realized. Second, the authors surveyed 73 nonprofit organizations on social media and gathered 267 useable responses, which were used to analyze and validate the identified forms of service co-creation.FindingsThe authors found that nonprofit organizations realize up to seven forms of service co-creation using social media. These include co-ideating to tweak service ideas, co-diagnosing social needs and problems, co-assessing service events, co-transforming services to targeted communities, co-advocating for community and service reach, co-resourcing in service delivery, and co-experiencing through a pool of diverse service experiences.Originality/valueThis study develops a reliable and valid multidimensional measure for nonprofit service co-creation enabled by social media platforms. Theoretically, this study offers a nonprofit service co-creation model to drive nuanced explanatory research and service co-creation perspectives in other contexts and engagement platforms. Managerially, this research illustrates the variations in service co-creation, which inform the strategic value of social media to nonprofits and will assist nonprofit practitioners in planning and evaluating their service co-creation outcomes.

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