Motivating issues affecting students’ use of social media sites in Ghanaian tertiary institutions

2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 167-179
Author(s):  
Nasir Koranteng Asiedu ◽  
Edwin Ellis Badu
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Social Engagement ◽  
Survey Methodology ◽  
Uses And Gratifications ◽  
Uses And Gratifications Theory ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Tertiary Institutions ◽  
Kwame Nkrumah ◽  
Use Of Social Media ◽  
Major Factors

Purpose Social media usage has become popular among the youth. The popularity and acceptance of this tool by the youth in large numbers make it necessary to find out more about the reasons why the youth are so interested in social media sites and as a result rely so much on it in every social engagement irrespective of the dangers or demerits it poses. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach With the adoption of survey methodology, this paper randomly selected 204 students majoring in sociology from University of Ghana and Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology to participate in the study. Findings Using the uses and gratifications theory, this study identified the following: WhatsApp was found to be the most widely used social media tool in both institutions; chatting and keeping in touch with loved ones and maintaining distant relationships are the major factors that motivate students in both institutions to use social media sites. The results further indicated that students are highly influenced by social media sites and, therefore, this has become their main medium of communication within and outside campus. Practical implications Social media, one way or the other is controlling the world and everything in it. The exposure of students to this tool requires the taking of certain relevant measures to direct the focus of its usage in tertiary institutions. It is against this background that this paper strongly recommended its integration into the academic system and the enshrinement of social media policies in the handbook of university students in Ghana. Originality/value This paper adds to existing literature on students frequent use of social media and confirms the assumptions of the uses and gratifications theory which simply asks the question why and how people use media.

scholarly journals Examining Social Commerce Intentions Through the Uses and Gratifications Theory

2021 ◽  
pp. 1203-1232
Author(s):  
Gokhan Aydin
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Uses And Gratifications ◽  
Information Access ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
Purchase Decisions ◽  
Social Commerce ◽  
Uses And Gratifications Theory ◽  
Proposed Model ◽  
Networking Technologies ◽  
Use Of Social Media

Changes in consumer behavior enabled by social networking technologies is leading to a transformation in e-commerce. Consumers' use of social media sites and relevant technologies for different aspects of shopping has become an issue of utmost concern to retailers and related businesses. Adopting a uses and gratifications theory (UGT) perspective, the article aims to demonstrate motives of users utilizing social media in their purchase decisions. Drawing from digital marketing and e-commerce literature, relevant uses and gratifications for social commerce (s-commerce) were chosen as information access, escape, entertainment, passing time, cool and new trends, and socialization. The proposed model was analyzed and tested via OLS regression and ANOVA analysis using the data collected from a survey study on 361 subjects in Turkey. Information access, relaxing entertainment, and socialization motives emerged as significant antecedents of s-commerce intentions. No significant effect of demographics on social commerce intentions were observed in the analysis.

scholarly journals The allure of luxury brands’ social media activities: a uses and gratifications perspective

2019 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 603-626 ◽  
Author(s):  
Navdeep Athwal ◽  
Doga Istanbulluoglu ◽  
Sophie Elizabeth McCormack
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Uses And Gratifications ◽  
Information Source ◽  
Social Media Marketing ◽  
Luxury Brands ◽  
Online Data ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Analysis Strategy ◽  
Marketing Activities ◽  
Use Of Social Media

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the social media marketing activities of luxury brands, guided by uses and gratifications theory (UGT). It examines the gratifications sought by millennials, a new core luxury consumer group, and the gratifications obtained when following and connecting with luxury brands. Design/methodology/approach Online data are gathered from Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts of five top luxury brands. In addition, 30 in-depth interviews with millennials, the new generation of luxury consumers, were conducted. Thematic analysis strategy was followed to analyze the data and present the findings. Findings Luxury brands remain distant and aloof, which helps them to maintain a sense of exclusivity. User activity, ranging from observations to commenting on and liking luxury brand content, leads to the gratification of two types of need: affective and cognitive. Two affective needs that are satisfied by luxury brands’ social media marketing activities are aesthetic appreciation and entertainment. Cognitive needs are satisfied through the functional use of social media as an information source. Originality/value Several studies have investigated social media from the perspective of UGT, but this study is the first to investigate the implications of luxury brands’ social media usage with the lenses of UGT.

Social media’s have-nots: an era of social disenfranchisement

2018 ◽  
Vol 28 (5) ◽  
pp. 1253-1274 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xinru Page ◽  
Pamela Wisniewski ◽  
Bart P. Knijnenburg ◽  
Moses Namara
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Social Engagement ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Interview Study ◽  
Social Consequences ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Open Coding ◽  
Media Platform ◽  
Use Of Social Media

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the motivations, concerns, benefits and consequences associated with non-use of social media. In doing so, it extends Wyatt’s commonly used taxonomy of non-use by identifying new dimensions in which to understand non-use of social media. This framework encompasses a previously unidentified category of non-use that is critical to understand in today’s social media environment. Design/methodology/approach This is an exploratory interview study with 17 self-identified social media non-users distributed across age groups and socioeconomic backgrounds. A thematic analysis is conducted based on a novel extension of Wyatt’s framework and the risk-benefits framework. This is supplemented by open coding to allow for emerging themes. Findings This paper provides empirical insights into a formerly uninvestigated population of non-users who are prevented from using social media because of social engagement (rather than functional) barriers. It identifies how these individuals face social consequences both on and off social media, resulting in social disenfranchisement. Research limitations/implications This is an initial exploration of the phenomenon using an interview study. For generalizability, future research should investigate non-use with a broader and random sample. Practical implications This paper includes design recommendations and implications for social media platform designers to mitigate the consequences experienced by socially disenfranchised non-users. Social implications Addressing concerns of this newly identified class of non-users is of utmost importance. As others are increasingly connected, these non-users are left behind and even ostracized – showing the dark sides of social media use and non-use. Originality/value This work identifies types of non-use of social media previously unrecognized in the literature.

scholarly journals Examining Social Commerce Intentions Through the Uses and Gratifications Theory

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 44-70 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gokhan Aydin
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Uses And Gratifications ◽  
Information Access ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
Purchase Decisions ◽  
Social Commerce ◽  
Uses And Gratifications Theory ◽  
Proposed Model ◽  
Networking Technologies ◽  
Use Of Social Media

Changes in consumer behavior enabled by social networking technologies is leading to a transformation in e-commerce. Consumers' use of social media sites and relevant technologies for different aspects of shopping has become an issue of utmost concern to retailers and related businesses. Adopting a uses and gratifications theory (UGT) perspective, the article aims to demonstrate motives of users utilizing social media in their purchase decisions. Drawing from digital marketing and e-commerce literature, relevant uses and gratifications for social commerce (s-commerce) were chosen as information access, escape, entertainment, passing time, cool and new trends, and socialization. The proposed model was analyzed and tested via OLS regression and ANOVA analysis using the data collected from a survey study on 361 subjects in Turkey. Information access, relaxing entertainment, and socialization motives emerged as significant antecedents of s-commerce intentions. No significant effect of demographics on social commerce intentions were observed in the analysis.

Restaurant social media usage in China

2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 251-265 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Ghiselli ◽  
Jing Ma
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Consumer Preferences ◽  
Payment Systems ◽  
Strategic Choices ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Chinese Context ◽  
Media Usage ◽  
Special Events ◽  
Computer Mediated ◽  
Use Of Social Media

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the use of social media by restaurants in China and the extent to which consumers are using it to obtain information about dining options. Design/methodology/approach – A questionnaire for consumers was developed and social media usage data were collected from restaurants; the results were compared to determine whether there is a difference between practices and preferences. Findings – Based on the results of this paper, restaurants may want to consider committing resources and efforts to improve their presence on Dianping, Baidu and Meituan, and to utilize WeChat. Also, they may want to send non-personalized updates, especially coupons, discounts and information about special events, through the above-mentioned channels two to three times a month. Additionally, restaurants may want to improve engagement with frequent users so that they will recommend to others. Finally, restaurants may want to evaluate and invest in online ordering and payment systems if they haven’t done so already. Research limitations/implications – Strategic choices should be based on understanding of consumers. Unless the gaps between practices and preferences are identified and understood, restaurant companies may not be able to use social media effectively and efficiently. Originality/value – China’s social media market – the largest in the world – differs considerably from other countries; it presents unique opportunities and challenges. Social media is always a function of the technology, culture and government of a particular country or context; for this reason, it is very important to study social media in its “context”. While the need is pressing, there are limited studies on restaurant consumer preferences in a computer-mediated environment, not to mention in the Chinese context. This study examined consumer preferences and potential gaps between preferences and practices in the Chinese context; the results will help to direct restaurants in China to make better use of social media.

Relationships between research supervisors and students from coursework-based master’s degrees: information usage under social media

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gunnan Dong ◽  
Dickson K.W. Chiu ◽  
Po-Sen Huang ◽  
Kevin K.W. Ho ◽  
Mavis Man-wai Lung ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Graduate Students ◽  
Media Environment ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Master's Degrees ◽  
Information Usage ◽  
Use Of Social Media ◽  
Research Students ◽  
Teaching Learning ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose Existing studies reflect that traditional teaching–learning relationships between supervisors and graduate students have become disjointed with actuality seriously. In particular, there are practical difficulties in handling many students from coursework-based postgraduate degrees under current university curricula. Therefore, this study aims to explore the relationship between research supervisors and graduate students on social media, which is popular among students. Design/methodology/approach This study surveyed 109 graduate students from two majors (population around 100 each) of a university in Hong Kong to explore their information usage for research on social media, related attitudes and their perceived supervisor relationships. The differences between the two majors were also compared. Findings The authors’ findings indicated that graduate students were active on social media, and social media has successfully provided effective alternate ways for students to communicate with their research supervisors. Social media could improve relationships between supervisors and research students and among fellow students. Besides education purposes, students also discussed their personal affairs on social media with supervisors, demonstrating enhanced trusted relationships. Graduate students also showed confidence in the further application of social media in higher education. Some differences between respondents from the two programs were also found in terms of communication contents, strengths, personal preferences and purposes for using social media. Originality/value Scant studies focus on the relationship between supervisors and graduate students under the current social media environment, especially for students from coursework-based postgraduate degrees. At a deeper level, for the widespread use of social media in the information age, this study explores the specific changes brought about by social media. Therefore, this study is of great theoretical and practical value to graduate education under the current social media environment.

Understanding the social media interactivity paradox: the effects of social media interactivity on communication quality, work interruptions and job performance

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiangyu Liu ◽  
Bowen Zheng ◽  
Hefu Liu
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Job Performance ◽  
Organizational Outcomes ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
Communication Quality ◽  
Media Dependency ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Work Interruptions ◽  
The Social ◽  
Use Of Social Media

PurposeAlthough social media is widely used for organizational communication, studies have begun to show its controversial effects on job performance in the workplace. To investigate these effects, this study developed a conceptual framework for how social media interactivity affects communication quality and work interruption, as well as how such effects impact job performance.Design/methodology/approachThe proposed theoretical model was empirically validated through a survey study of 556 employees in China.FindingsThe results verified a social media interactivity paradox that indicated social media interactivity increased both communication quality and work interruptions. The results further showed that high levels of social media dependency were a detriment to organizations.Originality/valueThis study verified the existence of a social media interactivity paradox in the use of social media for workplace communication. Moreover, results revealed that the effect of social media interactivity on organizational outcomes depends on its respective dimensions.

Public relations in the age of data: corporate perspectives on social media analytics (SMA)

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathy R. Fitzpatrick ◽  
Paula L. Weissman
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Public Relations ◽  
Social Media Analytics ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Public ◽  
Management Function ◽  
Use Of Social Media ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Corporate Brands ◽  
Depth Interviews

PurposeThe aim of this study was to understand how public relations leaders view and use social media analytics (SMA) and the impact of SMA on the public relations function.Design/methodology/approachThe research involved in-depth interviews with chief communication officers (CCOs) from leading multinational corporate brands.FindingsThe findings revealed that although CCOs perceive social media analytics as strategically important to the advancement of public relations, the use of social media data is slowed by challenges associated with building SMA capacity.Theoretical and practical implications – The research extends public relations theory on public relations as a strategic management function and provides practical insights for building SMA capabilities.Originality/valueThe study is among the first to provide empirical evidence of how companies are using social media analytics to enhance public relations efforts.

scholarly journals Impacts of Gratifications on Consumers’ Emotions and Continuance Use Intention: An Empirical Study of Weibo in China

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 3162 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ives Gogan ◽  
Ziqiong Zhang ◽  
Elizabeth Matemba
Keyword(s):  
User Satisfaction ◽  
Uses And Gratifications ◽  
Theoretical Background ◽  
Emotional States ◽  
Continuance Intention ◽  
Uses And Gratifications Theory ◽  
Emotional Commitment ◽  
Use Of Social Media ◽  
Individual Use

Recently, several studies on information systems have applied the Uses and Gratifications theory to investigate individual use of social media, and have reported the role of different gratifications in predicting users’ behaviors. However, no attention was given to the influence of these gratifications on users’ emotional states (satisfaction and emotional commitment). To address this research gap, the current study integrates the Uses and Gratifications theory and the Stimulus-Organism-Response theory to provide a theoretical background for the impacts of gratification on consumers’ emotional states and continuance use intention. The study has proposed a theoretical model that was tested on data collected from 252 Sina Weibo users in China. The results revealed that social gratification is the most important factor influencing users’ satisfaction and emotional commitment. In addition, we report the roles that user satisfaction and emotional state provide in predicting users’ continuance intention. The theoretical and practical implications of the proposed theory are also discussed.

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