The social aspects of consumption as predictors of consumer loyalty: online vs. offline services

2016 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodoula H Tsiotsou
Keyword(s):  
Social Relationships ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Social Aspects ◽  
Online Services ◽  
Service Setting ◽  
Proposed Model ◽  
The Social ◽  
Service Brands ◽  
Soccer Fans

Purpose Nowadays, companies are seeking to create meaningful and long-term relationships with their customers. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to examine the role of parasocial and social aspects of consumption in building trustworthy and loyal relationships in both offline and online services. Design/methodology/approach Two studies were conducted using the survey research method. The first study collected data from 285 soccer fans, and the second study collected data from 298 Facebook consumers. Findings The study confirms the proposed model and suggests that parasocial and social relationships act as significant antecedents of service brand loyalty in both offline and online services.. Originality/value This is the first study that examines parasocial and social relationships in tandem and their role in developing loyal relationships with service brands. It also confirms that social relationships in a service setting play a significant role in predicting brand trust and loyalty.

scholarly journals Diversity Balancing for Two-Stage Collaborative Filtering in Recommender Systems

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 1257 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liang Zhang ◽  
Quanshen Wei ◽  
Lei Zhang ◽  
Baojiao Wang ◽  
Wen-Hsien Ho
Keyword(s):  
Collaborative Filtering ◽  
Recommender Systems ◽  
Social Relationships ◽  
Two Stage ◽  
Proposed Model ◽  
The Social ◽  
Item List ◽  
Ranking Strategy ◽  
High Prediction ◽  
Optimization Mechanism

Conventional recommender systems are designed to achieve high prediction accuracy by recommending items expected to be the most relevant and interesting to users. Therefore, they tend to recommend only the most popular items. Studies agree that diversity of recommendations is as important as accuracy because it improves the customer experience by reducing monotony. However, increasing diversity reduces accuracy. Thus, a recommendation algorithm is needed to recommend less popular items while maintaining acceptable accuracy. This work proposes a two-stage collaborative filtering optimization mechanism that obtains a complete and diversified item list. The first stage of the model incorporates multiple interests to optimize neighbor selection. In addition to using conventional collaborative filtering to predict ratings by exploiting available ratings, the proposed model further considers the social relationships of the user. A novel ranking strategy is then used to rearrange the list of top-N items while maintaining accuracy by (1) rearranging the area controlled by the threshold and by (2) maximizing popularity while maintaining an acceptable reduction in accuracy. An extensive experimental evaluation performed in a real-world dataset confirmed that, for a given loss of accuracy, the proposed model achieves higher diversity compared to conventional approaches.

scholarly journals The social context for conservation: amphibians in human-shaped landscapes

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tibor Hartel ◽  
Ben C Scheele ◽  
Laurentiu Rozylowicz ◽  
Andra Horcea-Milcu ◽  
Dan Cogalniceanu
Keyword(s):  
Protected Areas ◽  
Amphibian Conservation ◽  
Social Aspects ◽  
Direct Control ◽  
Adaptive Potential ◽  
Management Options ◽  
Economic Context ◽  
The Social ◽  
Natural Landscapes

Many human-shaped landscapes support viable amphibian populations due to the habitats created and/or maintained as a consequence of human actions. The challenges and approaches required to achieve the persistence of amphibians in human-shaped landscapes are markedly different from approaches commonly applied in protected areas. Contrary to protected areas or natural landscapes where amphibian conservationists can have direct control over management, in human-shaped landscapes, management options are best approached through understanding local communities’ values and socio-economic aspirations. However, consideration of the social aspects of amphibian conservation are vastly under-represented in the amphibian conservation literature. We propose that amphibian conservationists should: (i) assess the controllability of their mitigation actions for achieving long-term sustainability, (ii) understand the values and attitudes of individual landowners towards amphibians and amphibian-friendly management (local scale) and land stewardship on which amphibian conservation initiatives can be built (landscape scale), and (iii) understand the social and economic drivers of land-use change operating at regional levels, which is crucial for building adaptive potential in conservation programs. Since targeted amphibian conservation initiatives are limited in many human-shaped landscapes, consideration of the socio-economic context conducive to amphibian persistence is crucial.

Determining value in a complex service setting

2015 ◽  
Vol 25 (5) ◽  
pp. 568-591 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolin Plewa ◽  
Jillian C. Sweeney ◽  
David Michayluk
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Conceptual Development ◽  
Perceived Value ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Customer Perceived Value ◽  
Value Perceptions ◽  
Service Setting ◽  
Depth Interviews ◽  
Is Value

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to capture the richness of customer perceived value by determining its benefit and cost dimensions in a complex service setting. Perceived value is argued as equivalent to value-in-use; that is value that emerges for or is created by the customer. Design/methodology/approach – A series of in-depth interviews was conducted with a diverse group of clients of financial planning services as well as with financial planners in Australia. Findings – Six benefit and four cost dimensions of complex service are identified, namely expertise, education, motivation, support, relationship and convenience benefits, as well as monetary, time and effort, emotional and lifestyle costs. The results also indicate proposed outcomes of these dimensions, along with relevant moderators, leading to a broad conceptual framework for future empirical validation. Originality/value – This study contributes to the sparse conceptual development of value perceptions, or value-in-use, in a complex service context. In particular, the authors identify the benefit and cost dimensions, specifically addressing aspects of value that are linked to the long-term relationship between provider and customer. The authors also develop a conceptual model of value, including both outcomes and situational moderators of the various value dimensions. Finally, the conceptualization of perceived value is discussed with respect to the value co-creation literature.

Conceptualizing the body and the logics of performing

2015 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 345-371
Author(s):  
Deryk Stec
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Physical Space ◽  
Art Music ◽  
The Body ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Excessive Heat ◽  
The Past ◽  
The Social ◽  
Performance Teams

Purpose This paper aims to examine how residues of ancient images have influenced one’s perspectives on management. Increased attention has been given to the absence of bodies within discussions of organisations; however, far less attention has been given to the interplay between organisations and images of one’s body. Design/methodology/approach By comparing the perceived benefits of studying sport (e.g. passion, embodiment and action) with the tensions that existed between athletic performances and an ancient image of the body, this paper draws attention to residuals that exist within discussions of organisations. Findings In a context where an image of the body encouraged moderation, the appropriate levels of heat, and the development of an immaterial and eternal soul, athletic performances, which were physical, extreme, focused on the body and generated excessive heat, were often problematic. These problems are then examined within the literature discussing current issues in management. Research limitations/implications Sport has the potential to facilitate one’s understanding of issues that management, consistent with ancient images of the body, has traditionally neglected (i.e. extremes, passion) and the possibilities of using embodied cognition to enhance our understandings of performance, teams and leading are discussed. Social implications As scientists become increasingly concerned about the long-term consequences of the reduced opportunities for cultural programs (sport, art, music, etc.), revisiting one’s assumptions is increasingly important, especially as athletics and philosophy once shared the same physical space. Originality/value By describing how residues from historical images of the body have influenced the thinking about organizing, this paper highlights the connection between the social and the biological and demonstrates how vestiges from the past influence contemporary discussions.

A time for play: Interstitial time, Invest/Express games, and feminine leisure style

2016 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 105-121 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shira Chess
Keyword(s):  
Social Networks ◽  
Video Games ◽  
Social Networking ◽  
Mobile Devices ◽  
Social Relationships ◽  
Social Aspects ◽  
The Social

Games such as FarmVille and other casuals played on social networks and mobile devices have recently become increasingly popular. Research on Social Networking Games (SNGs) often focuses on the “social” aspects—how this newer style of games engenders social relationships from disparate locations. This essay examines the genre of gaming in terms of their industry category, “Invest/Express Games.” Using the Invest/Express label as a means of rethinking the role of interstitial time, this essay proposes that the gaming style taps in to what can be understood as “feminine leisure style.” In many ways, the significance of Invest/Express embodies a shift toward a feminization of popular video games.

Islam, communication and accounting

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 138-154
Author(s):  
UmmeSalma Mujtaba Husein
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Theoretical Framework ◽  
Social Aspects ◽  
Islamic Philosophy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Social ◽  
Emotional Aspects ◽  
Opening Up ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This paper aims to explore the notion of communication in accounting and in doing so elucidates the wider connotation of accounting frontiers offered in the Islamic philosophy, reflecting upon the Islamic doctrines that are indicative towards and offer a variety of implications for communication and accounting. Design/methodology/approach Drawing from the Islamic sources – Quran and other key texts – and other relevant preceding literature, the paper deliberates key Islam principles of significance and outline what they suggest for communication in accounting. Findings Islam has a profoundly embedded concern of the communicative aspect from a holistic viewpoint that is clear within its accounting implications as well. This paper illustrates the social aspects of Islamic accounting through its stance on communication, thereby opening up the more enabling potentials of Islamic accounting informed by wider and more facilitating dimensions of Islam’s teachings: Islam’s holistic approach to life; its attentiveness on society and its various groups; and its emphasis on behavioural conduct and emotional aspects. Consideration on these principles throws into questions the Western ways, develops and hones the existing stand of hegemonic positions and submits new ways forward. Research limitations/implications Aspiring organisations and larger entities such as nations who encourage the development of Islamic economy can benefit from the added accountability of entities to encompass the social and ethical responsibilities. Practical/implications The paper highlights Islamic doctrines as a basis of just and responsible accounting communication via incorporating the macro-societal elements and the behavioural communicative aspects. Originality/value The Islamic communication principles open up the inclusion of the missing behavioural aspect from accounting communication. This paper provides the necessary theoretical framework on how to include the humane side within accounting communication.

scholarly journals Quality of Life in Young Adults With Cerebral Palsy: A Longitudinal Analysis of the SPARCLE Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicolas Vidart d'Egurbide Bagazgoïtia ◽  
Virginie Ehlinger ◽  
Carine Duffaut ◽  
Jérôme Fauconnier ◽  
Silke Schmidt-Schuchert ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Social Relationships ◽  
Young Adulthood ◽  
Associated Factors ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
The Social

Introduction: While most people with cerebral palsy (CP) will have a life expectancy similar to that of the general population, international research has primarily focused on childhood and adolescence; and knowledge about the quality of life (QoL) of young adults with CP, its trajectories, and associated factors remains scarce.Methods: This longitudinal study included young adults with CP living in five European regions and who had previously participated in the SPARCLE cohort as children and/or adolescents. Their QoL in the psychological well-being and social relationships domains was estimated using age-appropriate validated instruments (KIDSCREEN-52 in childhood/adolescence and WHOQOL-Bref in young adulthood). We used generalized linear mixed-effect models with random intercept to estimate long-term trajectories of QoL in both domains and to investigate whether severity of impairment, pain, and seizure influenced these trajectories. We sought to identify potentially different trajectories of QoL from childhood to adulthood using a shape-based clustering method.Results: In total, 164 young adults with CP aged 22–27 years participated in the study. Psychological well-being linearly decreased by 0.78 points (scale 0–100) per year (95% confidence interval (CI) −0.99 to −0.56) from childhood to young adulthood, whereas QoL in the social relationships domain increased (β coefficient 1.24, 95% CI 0.92–1.55). Severity of impairment was associated with reduced QoL in all life periods of the study (childhood, adolescence, and young adulthood): motor impairment with social relationships, and more nuancedly intellectual disability with psychological well-being and social relationships. At all periods, frequent pain significantly reduced psychological well-being, and seizures were associated with lower QoL in the social relationships domain. In both domains, we identified a group of individuals with CP who presented a reverse trajectory compared with the general QoL trajectory.Conclusion: Identification of QoL trajectories and their associated factors yields improved knowledge about the experience of individuals with CP until young adulthood. Further studies are needed to better understand the determinants that have the greatest influence on the different shapes of long-term trajectories of QoL.

scholarly journals Bats are able to maintain long-term social relationships despite the high fission–fusion dynamics of their groups

2011 ◽  
Vol 278 (1719) ◽  
pp. 2761-2767 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerald Kerth ◽  
Nicolas Perony ◽  
Frank Schweitzer
Keyword(s):  
Social Relationships ◽  
Large Datasets ◽  
Social Structures ◽  
High Importance ◽  
Wild Mammals ◽  
The Social ◽  
Multi Level ◽  
Weighted Network Analysis ◽  
Term Data

Elephants, dolphins, as well as some carnivores and primates maintain social links despite their frequent splitting and merging in groups of variable composition, a phenomenon known as fission–fusion. Information on the dynamics of social links and interactions among individuals is of high importance to the understanding of the evolution of animal sociality, including that of humans. However, detailed long-term data on such dynamics in wild mammals with fully known demography and kin structures are scarce. Applying a weighted network analysis on 20 500 individual roosting observations over 5 years, we show that in two wild Bechstein's bat colonies with high fission–fusion dynamics, individuals of different age, size, reproductive status and relatedness maintain long-term social relationships. In the larger colony, we detected two stable subunits, each comprising bats from several family lineages. Links between these subunits were mainly maintained by older bats and persisted over all years. Moreover, we show that the full details of the social structure become apparent only when large datasets are used. The stable multi-level social structures in Bechstein's bat colonies resemble that of elephants, dolphins and some primates. Our findings thus may shed new light on the link between social complexity and social cognition in mammals.

scholarly journals Teoria dos Jogos: Identificação do Ponto de Equilíbrio de Nash em Jogos Bimatriciais em Indicadores Econômicos e Sociais

2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fernanda Kreuzberg ◽  
Nelson Hein ◽  
Moacir Manoel Rodrigues Junior
Keyword(s):  
Social Performance ◽  
Social Indicators ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Social Aspects ◽  
Matrix Game ◽  
Economic Interests ◽  
Nash Equilibrium Point ◽  
Proposed Model ◽  
The Social ◽  
Social Interests

Currently companies have to think about its management system to meet not only their economic interests but also their social interests aiming at the activities’ sustainability and longevity. In this research, the goal is to identify the Nash equilibrium point in the bi-matrix game of economic and social indicators of the companies of Public Utilities sector listed on the BM & FBovespa. The research was conducted with a sample of 26 companies. To evaluate the economic performance it was used the profitability and market indicators; for evaluating the social performance, it was used the indicators derived from the VAD (Value Added Statement). In the estimation of earnings among indicators, it was used the standard parameters of the multiple linear regression. The obtained results highlighted the existence of at least one point of equilibrium for the years analyzed and, especially in the models, two points of equilibrium were proposed for 2009 and 2011 and three for 2010. It is noteworthy that, in the proposed model it was confirmed the hypothesis of the existence of at least one point of equilibrium. Thus, it was possible to meet the research objective, namely, that it is possible to meet both economic aspects and the social aspects of the companies when the indicators are taken as basic information.

scholarly journals The social context for conservation: amphibians in human-shaped landscapes

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tibor Hartel ◽  
Ben C Scheele ◽  
Laurentiu Rozylowicz ◽  
Andra Horcea-Milcu ◽  
Dan Cogalniceanu
Keyword(s):  
Protected Areas ◽  
Amphibian Conservation ◽  
Social Aspects ◽  
Direct Control ◽  
Adaptive Potential ◽  
Management Options ◽  
Economic Context ◽  
The Social ◽  
Natural Landscapes

Many human-shaped landscapes support viable amphibian populations due to the habitats created and/or maintained as a consequence of human actions. The challenges and approaches required to achieve the persistence of amphibians in human-shaped landscapes are markedly different from approaches commonly applied in protected areas. Contrary to protected areas or natural landscapes where amphibian conservationists can have direct control over management, in human-shaped landscapes, management options are best approached through understanding local communities’ values and socio-economic aspirations. However, consideration of the social aspects of amphibian conservation are vastly under-represented in the amphibian conservation literature. We propose that amphibian conservationists should: (i) assess the controllability of their mitigation actions for achieving long-term sustainability, (ii) understand the values and attitudes of individual landowners towards amphibians and amphibian-friendly management (local scale) and land stewardship on which amphibian conservation initiatives can be built (landscape scale), and (iii) understand the social and economic drivers of land-use change operating at regional levels, which is crucial for building adaptive potential in conservation programs. Since targeted amphibian conservation initiatives are limited in many human-shaped landscapes, consideration of the socio-economic context conducive to amphibian persistence is crucial.

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