scholarly journals A false image of health: how fake news and pseudo-facts spread in the health and beauty industry

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 168-179 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anouk de Regt ◽  
Matteo Montecchi ◽  
Sarah Lord Ferguson
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Healthy Lifestyle ◽  
Marketing Tactics ◽  
Fake News ◽  
Misleading Information ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Emergent Literature ◽  
False Image ◽  
Underlying Processes ◽  
Shed Light

Purpose Diffusion of fake news and pseudo-facts is becoming increasingly fast-paced and widespread, making it more difficult for the general public to separate reliable information from misleading content. The purpose of this article is to provide a more advanced understanding of the underlying processes that contribute to the spread of health- and beauty-related rumors and of the mechanisms that can mitigate the risks associated with the diffusion of fake news. Design/methodology/approach By adopting denialism as a conceptual lens, this article introduces a framework that aims to explain the mechanisms through which fake news and pseudo-facts propagate within the health and beauty industry. Three exemplary case studies situated within the context of the health and beauty industry reveal the persuasiveness of these principles and shed light on the diffusion of false and misleading information. Findings The following seven denialistic marketing tactics that contribute to diffusion of fake news can be identified: (1) promoting a socially accepted image; (2) associating brands with a healthy lifestyle; (3) use of experts; (4) working with celebrity influencers; (5) selectively using and omitting facts; (6) sponsoring research and pseudo-science; and (7)exploiting regulatory loopholes. Through a better understanding of how fake news spreads, brand managers can simultaneously improve the optics that surround their firms, promote sales organically and reinforce consumers’ trust toward the brand. Originality/value Within the wider context of the health and beauty industry, this article sets to explore the mechanisms through which fake news and pseudo-facts propagate and influence brands and consumers. The article offers several contributions not only to the emergent literature on fake news but also to the wider marketing and consumer behavior literature.

True, fake and alternative: a topology of news and its implications for brands

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 144-149
Author(s):  
Pierre Berthon ◽  
Ekin Pehlivan ◽  
Taylan Yalcin ◽  
Tamara Rabinovich
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Symbiotic Relationship ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Fake News ◽  
News Report ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Shed Light

Purpose Berthon and Pitt (2018) recently highlighted the symbiotic relationship between fake news and brands. This paper aims to draw on semiotics to refine the fake/real news dichotomy to a fourfold typology. Design/methodology/approach First, the authors turn to semiotics and review Greimas’ (1966) semiotic square. Second, they use this framework to refine the fake/real news dichotomy into a four-fold typology. Third, they illustrate each type with a news report on the topic of climate change. Fourth, they apply this framework to reveal four types of brand: real, fake, empty and ironic. Findings Given that brand communications are heterogeneous, the authors suggest that the typology can be reconceptualized as dimensions and brands communications decoded accordingly. They conclude by exploring further opportunities offered by the semiotic square for interpretive investigation. Originality/value The value of the paper lies in the novel use of the semiotic square to shed light on both news and brand communications.

The carmine dilemma: does the natural colourant preference outweigh nausea?

2018 ◽  
Vol 120 (8) ◽  
pp. 1915-1928
Author(s):  
Judith Müller-Maatsch ◽  
Johannes Jasny ◽  
Katharina Henn ◽  
Claudia Gras ◽  
Reinhold Carle
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Consumer Perception ◽  
Natural Food ◽  
German Population ◽  
Misleading Information ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Broad Cross Section ◽  
First Time ◽  
Self Administered Questionnaire ◽  
Insight Into

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide insight into the consumers’ perception of natural and artificial food colourants. Furthermore, attitudes towards the application of carmine, being technically important and ubiquitously used to impart red shades, are assessed and analysed. Originating from insects, carmine is considered as natural but may arouse disgust. Design/methodology/approach In total, 625 individuals were surveyed using an online, self-administered questionnaire to represent a broad cross-section of the German population. Findings Independent of their origin, the application of colourants was rejected by 57.0 per cent of the interviewees. In total, 31.8 per cent of the participants stated a neutral attitude, while only 11.2 per cent expressed a positive notion. Most respondents preferred colourants from natural sources to artificial ones. While consumers perceive natural food colourants composed of genuine plant pigments positively, 61.6 per cent of respondents disliked the application of animal-derived colourants, 24.8 per cent of them did neither reject nor like it, and only 13.6 per cent of the interviewees stated a positive attitude towards them. The findings of this paper further indicate consumers’ preference for colourants to be either artificial or plant-derived rather than carmine. Food colourants are being rejected, possibly due to misleading information and confusing labelling. Consequently, information about carmine, including its origin and production, did not increase the aversion to products that are dyed with it, but increased their acceptance. Originality/value This study outlines consumer perception and attitudes towards food colourants. For the first time, the findings of this paper report the effect of revealing information about an additive, which initially aroused disgust, and its influence on consumer perception.

“It's the work climate that keeps me here”: the interplay between the HRM process and emergent factors in the construction of employee experiences

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maarit Laiho ◽  
Essi Saru ◽  
Hannele Seeck
Keyword(s):  
High Performance ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Qualitative Interview ◽  
Employee Perceptions ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Systematic Data ◽  
High Performance Work System ◽  
Employee Experience ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Shed Light

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the interplay between human resource management (HRM) and emergent factors in constructing a strong HRM climate. Specifically, the paper aims to shed light on how employee perceptions of the HRM process and emergent factors together construct a strong HRM climate, i.e. employees' shared perceptions of HRM.Design/methodology/approachThe paper uses qualitative interview data (managers and employees) from two organisations operating in Finland. The data are analysed based on a systematic data analysis and gives an illustration of the interplay between high-performance work system and the emergent factors.FindingsThe findings illustrate the three types of interplay between HPWS and emergent factors – supplementation, substitution and suffocation – that construct employee experience.Originality/valueThe paper extends earlier discussions on the relationship between HRM and employee experience by empirically examining how the HRM process – together with emergent factors – constructs a strong HRM climate. The present study contributes to further theorising and increasing our understanding of the creation of employee experience.

Predictors of e-publishing adoption in environments of uncertainty

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Emmanuel Chukwunonye Ifeduba
Keyword(s):  
Copyright Protection ◽  
Predictive Value ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Publishing Industry ◽  
Innovation Adoption ◽  
Digital Publishing ◽  
Empirical Examination ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Education Industry ◽  
Shed Light

Purpose Many developing environments are characterised by uncertainties and research on how these uncertainties impact development in different industries is on-going. However, there is hardly any empirical examination of how this phenomenon impacts innovation adoption in the publishing industry, notwithstanding that the education industry largely depends on publishing. This study aims to interrogate this phenomenon with a view to describing clearly the factors that influence e-publishing innovation adoption in environments of uncertainty. Design/methodology/approach E-publishing data were collected from 79 websites whereas 109 firms filled out a questionnaire both online and offline. Four interviews were conducted and data were analysed using the SPSS to compute frequencies, percentages and correlates of digital publishing innovation adoption. Findings Book piracy and curriculum uncertainty were found to play greater influential roles in the adoption of e-publishing; and though they both correlated positively with e-publishing adoption, only book piracy has a significant predictive value in the adoption of e-publishing. Originality/value The results of this study shed light on the predictors of digital publishing adoption and should help interested publishers and scholars in environments of uncertainty to understand why efforts should be intensified to pursue copyright protection and enforcement.

Fake news on Facebook: examining the impact of heuristic cues on perceived credibility and sharing intention

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Khudejah Ali ◽  
Cong Li ◽  
Khawaja Zain-ul-abdin ◽  
Muhammad Adeel Zaffar
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Fake News ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Perceived Credibility ◽  
News Credibility ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Active Processing

PurposeAs the epidemic of online fake news is causing major concerns in contexts such as politics and public health, the current study aimed to elucidate the effect of certain “heuristic cues,” or key contextual features, which may increase belief in the credibility and the subsequent sharing of online fake news.Design/methodology/approachThis study employed a 2 (news veracity: real vs fake) × 2 (social endorsements: low Facebook “likes” vs high Facebook “likes”) between-subjects experimental design (N = 239).FindingsThe analysis revealed that a high number of Facebook “likes” accompanying fake news increased the perceived credibility of the material compared to a low number of “likes.” In addition, the mediation results indicated that increased perceptions of news credibility may create a situation in which readers feel that it is necessary to cognitively elaborate on the information present in the news, and this active processing finally leads to sharing.Practical implicationsThe results from this study help explicate what drives increased belief and sharing of fake news and can aid in refining interventions aimed at combating fake news for both communities and organizations.Originality/valueThe current study expands upon existing literature, linking the use of social endorsements to perceived credibility of fake news and information, and sheds light on the causal mechanisms through which people make the decision to share news articles on social media.

What challenges and opportunities will lead to success?

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 631-634 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorge Costa ◽  
Mónica Montenegro ◽  
João Gomes
Keyword(s):  
International Economic ◽  
Developing Countries ◽  
Content Analysis ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Theme Issue ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Income Sources ◽  
Tourist Flows ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Shed Light

Purpose This paper aims to introduce the papers in this issue and explain the pertinence of the strategic question. Design/methodology/approach A brief context for the strategic question is provided, as well as the issue alignment and a content analysis of the papers selected. Findings From the analysis of the papers selected for this theme issue, it becomes clear that tourism has become one of the major players in international economic, social and technological sectors, while representing one of the main income sources for developed and developing countries. Originality/value The papers selected for this issue shed light on an important problem: increasing tourist flows and overtourism at some world top destinations.

The truth (as I see it): philosophical considerations influencing a typology of fake news

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 150-158
Author(s):  
Caitlin Candice Ferreira ◽  
Jeandri Robertson ◽  
Marnell Kirsten
Keyword(s):  
Knowledge Creation ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Alternative View ◽  
Extensive Literature ◽  
Fake News ◽  
Power Structures ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Conceptual Paper ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the philosophical considerations of fake news and provide an alternative view to current conceptualizations of its binary nature. Through an evaluation of existing research, a typology of fake news is presented that considers the possibility that the propagation of fake news about a brand, may be stemming from the brand itself, a previously unexplored field in the literature. Design/methodology/approach This is a conceptual paper based on extensive literature review on the fields of fake news and knowledge creation, resulting in the creation of a synthesized typology. Findings The role of power structures greatly influences the ability for a brand to respond to fake news. Externally constructed disinformation is seemingly more difficult for a brand to address, as a result of having limited control over the message. Internally constructed information, while stemming from the brand itself provides the brand with more control, but a greater public distrust as the source of the fake news seems to confirm the disinformation. Practical implications This paper presents a typology that contrasts the source of the construction of disinformation and the extent to which the facts have been fabricated. Furthermore, this paper provides future researchers with an alternate understanding of the conceptualization of fake news. Originality/value This paper is the first of its kind to establish a typology of fake news on the basis of the source of construction of disinformation. The source plays an important role when assessing the associated brand risks and developing an approach to combat potential negative implications.

Identifying the most important public–private partnership risks in Afghanistan’s infrastructure projects

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 309-337
Author(s):  
Farhad Bayat ◽  
Esmatullah Noorzai ◽  
Mahmood Golabchi
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Public Private Partnership ◽  
Implementation Study ◽  
Infrastructure Projects ◽  
Private Partnership ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Underdeveloped Countries ◽  
International Laws ◽  
Shed Light

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify the major public–private partnership (PPP) risks in infrastructure projects in Afghanistan and explain the extent to which extent the identified risks can shed light on the PPP implementation study in general. Design/methodology/approach Initially, 78 risks were identified through considering international laws and regulations, criteria for using PPP in developing and underdeveloped countries, and case studies. Later, 23 of the more important risks were determined, ranked and classified into five main groups. Findings Finally, these risks were adapted with some investigations conducted in the PPP field. Although some of the risks identified in this survey are unique to Afghanistan, this research can be used to develop the application of PPP generally. Originality/value PPP is one possible solution to finance infrastructure projects. However, there are a lot of risks, which make this method inefficient in Afghanistan. Therefore, identifying the risks of PPP can play an important role in improving the infrastructures of Afghanistan.

Fake news and the willingness to share: a schemer schema and confirmatory bias perspective

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 180-187 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelly Weidner ◽  
Frederik Beuk ◽  
Anjali Bal
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Fake News ◽  
Specific Time ◽  
Confirmatory Bias ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present a theory of how corporations and brands can address the prevalence of fake news. A matrix is proposed to examine how the transparency of the motivation of the communicator disseminating fake news interacts with how well the content of the fake news coincides with a consumer’s previously held bias. Design/methodology/approach A dichotomy is presented examining the role of “Schemer’s Schema” transparency by confirmatory bias. Findings Consumers will react differently to fake news depending on their “schemer schema” and the source of the information, as well as the believability of the story based on already existing beliefs. Research implications/limitations This paper provides readers with a strategy to address the prevalence and reality of fake news. The purpose of this paper is theoretical in nature. While this manuscript lays the foundation for future empirical studies, said studies have not been conducted. Further, given the ever-changing nature of fake news dissemination this manuscript provides a picture at a specific time and place. Practical implications This manuscript provides insights for brand managers who are forced to address fake news. Originality/value This manuscript provides marketers with a strategy to better address fake news for organizations and brand.

How do relational variables affect export performance? Evidence from Malaysian exporters

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 128-156 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdel Hafiez Ali Hasaballah ◽  
Omer Faruk Genc ◽  
Osman Bin Mohamad ◽  
Zafar U. Ahmed
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Emerging Market ◽  
Export Performance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Building Trust ◽  
Path Analyses ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Shed Light

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyze the influences of relational variables on export performance and the interactions among relational variables in the emerging market context of Malaysia.Design/methodology/approachThe study used a mail questionnaire sent to Malaysian companies that export to Arab-speaking countries and achieved a response rate of 27.92 percent, resulting in a sample of 106 exporters.FindingsThe results of the path analyses indicate a positive impact of relational variables (adaptation, cooperation and communication) on export performance. However, the authors found that the impact was mediated by trust and commitment, rather than being direct.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings suggest that the impact of relational variables on export performance is complex and indirect. Mediators and moderators play important roles in this relationship.Practical implicationsFirms should invest in export relationships with the aim of building trust and commitment, which are the primary factors that affect export performance.Originality/valueThe authors have shed light on the way relational variables affect export performance. Moreover, this study contributes to a better understanding of small emerging markets, which are poorly represented in studies in this field.

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