What drives social integration in the domain of social network sites?

2015 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manuel J. Sánchez-Franco ◽  
Eva María Buitrago-Esquinas ◽  
Rocío Yñiguez-Ovando

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is twofold. First, the study aims to investigate the effects of personal innovativeness and familiarity on social integration in the domain of social network site (SNS) innovation. Second, the study seeks to examine the influences of satisfaction and trust on social integration. Design/methodology/approach – Structural equation modelling is proposed to assess the relationships between the constructs, along with the predictive power of the model. Findings – The results demonstrate that increasing satisfaction, trust, and familiarity and assisting members’ personal innovativeness are important initiatives that promote social integration, reduce competition between my SNS and others, and consequently, inhibit opportunistic behaviour. Research limitations/implications – The model does not include all the relevant variables. The sample is not random and thus it is not necessarily representative of the population. Practical implications – Managers must take familiarity and innovativeness into account to customise their social strategies in order to ensure enduring enthusiasm for SNSs. Likewise, fostering members’ satisfaction through more gratifying and easier interactions is an effective strategy to promote social integration. Furthermore, SNSs should prioritise their initiatives for enhancing perceived control by making clear rules and management procedures available, as well as the required legal aspects and seals of approval that will increase levels of trust. Originality/value – A review of the literature reveals that very few studies analyse the effects of personal differences and relationship quality on social integration. This work therefore improves the explanatory power of existing theoretical frameworks.

2014 ◽  
Vol 114 (9) ◽  
pp. 1477-1498 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafael Curras-Perez ◽  
Carla Ruiz-Mafe ◽  
Silvia Sanz-Blas

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyse the determinants of social network use behaviour using Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) and Uses and Gratifications Theory. Design/methodology/approach – A quantitative study was carried out with data gathered by personal interview using a structured questionnaire. Relationships proposed in the theoretical model were estimated through structural equation models. In total, 811 users of social networks over 14 and residents in Spain were part of the sample. Findings – Results indicate that use attitude and the subjective norm, both TPB variables, directly and significantly influence social network loyalty. Thus, network loyalty can be achieved if the individual shows a favourable attitude towards use and receives positive feed-back (comments, opinions, etc.) from friends, acquaintances and other individuals in their environment. Perceived control has no influence on social network loyalty. Finally, this research highlights the importance of socialisation and entertainment as antecedents of social network attitude. Research limitations/implications – Social network use has been analysed globally and database includes users with very different profiles (e.g. Facebook and Tuenti) what may skew the results. Practical implications – Individuals access social networks to establish social links with friends/family/acquaintances, seeking entertainment and fun, but they are never used to be fashionable or up-to-date. Given the importance of social relations, companies should motivate participation elements in their social networks profiles. Originality/value – The paper presents a model that explains the formation of loyal social network customers, integrating TPB and Uses and Gratifications Theory to enable understanding of the role of these networks in individuals’ lives.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Márcia Maria Garçon ◽  
Vânia Maria Jorge Nassif ◽  
Tiago Jessé Souza de Lima

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to develop and test a model that aims to explain individual entrepreneurial orientation (IEO) focused on the context of social entrepreneurship (SE) (Social-IEO) by considering the personal values and attitude toward social change through direct and indirect effects. To achieve this purpose, the authors created and validated a scale to measure Social-IEO. Design/methodology/approach The paper uses scale construction techniques (DeVellis, 2016) and survey method for data collection. As such, this study was conducted by considering a sample of 198 social entrepreneurs. Multivariate data analysis and structural equation modeling are used to validate the theoretical model. Findings The Social-IEO scale was validated and shows to adequately encompass and measure the construct. The proposed model has predictive relevance and explains 45% of Social-IEO. Findings suggest that self-transcendence value has no direct effect on Social-IEO. Additionally, conservation and self-promotion values do not have a negative correlation with Social-IEO. Finally, attitude of social change has a strong explanatory power to Social-IEO. The findings offer important theoretical and practical implications for the field of entrepreneurship education and entrepreneurial behavior. Originality/value The definition of a specific concept of IEO applied to the context of SE contributes to the correct understanding of its dimensions, measurement and management. This eliminates a gap in studies and contributes to expand and strengthen research. It also provides an original empirical approach, as the method used to measure IEO in a reflective way is unusual in previous studies.


2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 235-254 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mengdi Wang ◽  
Dong Li

PurposeIn accordance with Bagozzi’s self-regulation theory, the aim of this paper is to explore the enablers and inhibitors of continuance intention from the perspective of bullet curtain, a new form of commentary on online video websites.Design/methodology/approachA total of 350 questionnaires were collected for the final analysis (covering 101 questionnaires for the pilot test) from China’s bullet curtain website. To analyze the model, the authors adopted SmartPLS 3.2, a structural equation modeling software.FindingsAs the results suggest, there is a positive correlation between satisfaction and continuance intention and a negative association between social network fatigue and continuance intention. In addition, synchronicity between the comments and video content, a dimension of synchronicity proposed in this study, improves the satisfaction. Furthermore, information overload significantly intensify social network fatigue.Practical implicationsThe results help bullet curtain providers offer better interactive environment and improve websites’ functions to stimulate users.Originality/valueBy combining positive effect and negative effect of commentary, this study investigates Bagozzi’s theory in a context of bullet curtain. Besides, combinations of these factors help to gain insights in how the bullet curtain works in online video websites. These offer useful guidelines for managers to optimize a better system.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hongmei Zhang ◽  
Shanshan Liu ◽  
Billy Bai

Purpose The primary purpose of this study is to investigate the image transfer and its effects on exhibitors’ behavioral intention. Specifically, the study attempted to examine the effect of mega business event image on destination and country image from exhibitors’ perspective and the effect of mega business event image on exhibitors’ behavioral intention toward the event. Design/methodology/approach The data for this study were collected through an on-site survey. Based on a sample of 393 respondents, structural equation modeling was used to test the proposed hypotheses. Findings The results showed that business event image has a stronger effect on country image than on destination image; event image has a significant effect on exhibitor’s behavioral intention toward the event directly and indirectly through the mediating role of country image; and country image has a significant influence on destination image. Practical implications The event organizer should improve the exhibitor’s perceptions of the event experience from providing a clear and attractive theme for the target audiences; exhibiting the products with the most cutting-edge technologies and offering various opportunities for forums and promotions; and planning and organizing the event in every detail carefully including the facilities, layout of booths, ambience and other related services. Originality/value The study expands the event type to business events, explores the image transfer process between event, destination and country and examines the effects of such image transfer on the exhibitors’ behavioral intention. The results confirm the explanatory power of image transfer theory. Attribution theory and halo effect are viewed as the mechanisms of image transfer.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Neha Garg ◽  
Wendy Marcinkus Murphy ◽  
Pankaj Singh

PurposeThis paper examines whether employee-driven practices of reverse mentoring and job crafting lead to work engagement and, in turn, to higher levels of prospective mental and physical health.Design/methodology/approachIntegrating social exchange theory and the job demands and resources model as theoretical frameworks, survey data were collected from 369 Indian software developers to test the research model. Latent variable structural equation modeling was used to empirically test the hypothesized associations.FindingsThe findings reveal that both reverse mentoring and job crafting are significantly associated with work engagement. Work engagement fully mediated the negative relationship between 1) reverse mentoring and mental ill-health and 2) job crafting and physical ill-health, while it partially mediated the negative relationship between 1) reverse mentoring and physical ill-health and 2) job crafting and mental ill-health.Practical implicationsThe results demonstrate that by implementing the practices of reverse mentoring and job crafting, managers can achieve desired levels of engagement among employees and sustain organizational productivity by promoting employee health and well-being.Originality/valueThis study is one of the early attempts to empirically demonstrate the associated health outcomes of reverse mentoring and job crafting.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amit Shankar ◽  
Achint Nigam

PurposeThe mobile human resource management application (mHRM app) has recently been seen as an innovative cloud-based solution to manage human resource management (HRM) within organisation. Despite its great potential, organisations have shown resistance towards the usage of the mHRM app. This study investigates the dark side of electronic HRM (eHRM) by examining factors affecting HR professionals' resistance to the mHRM app using status quo bias (SQB) theory. The study also examines the moderating effect of personal innovativeness.Design/methodology/approachResponses were collected from 239 HR professionals using an online survey. Structural equation modelling (SEM) and PROCESS macro were used to examine the hypotheses.FindingsThe results indicated that regret avoidance, inertia, switching costs and perceived threat significantly affect HR professionals' resistance towards mHRM app adoption. Results also indicated that high personal innovativeness negatively moderates the association between inhibitors and resistance to adopt the mHRM app.Practical implicationsThe study's findings will help HR professionals reduce their resistance towards mHRM app adoption.Originality/valueThis study enriches eHRM, mobile applications and the SQB literature.


2019 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason M. Riley ◽  
Richard Klein

Purpose The purpose of this study is to understand consumers’ use of online retail channels. This study examines how tracking capabilities, delivery speed, trust, logistics carriers’ reputation, people important to the consumer and online reviews influence Millennials’ online purchasing attitudes and intentions. Design/methodology/approach A survey was administered to 321 Millennials. Subsequently, it was used to test both direct and indirect hypotheses using structural equation modeling techniques. Findings The study determined that tracking capabilities, trust, people important to the consumer and online reviews directly influence online purchase attitude and by extension intention formation. The results also revealed that logistics carrier reputation moderates the trust to online purchase attitude linkage. Research limitations/implications This work improves the explanatory power of the theory of reasoned action by linking logistics factors to online shopping behavior. Further, it provides insight into the moderating influence of logistics carriers’ reputation. Practical implications For retailers, the results provide information on how to better develop ecommerce service offerings. By providing information about logistics services and capabilities during the ecommerce transaction, retailers can improve the chance that consumers will complete online purchases. Originality/value This research fills a gap in the literature regarding how to influence millennial consumers. Moreover, findings strengthen the understanding of online-purchasing attitudes and intentions formation, important to retailers developing new online shopping platforms and technologies.


2019 ◽  
Vol 50 (2) ◽  
pp. 305-327
Author(s):  
Abhishek Kalra ◽  
Rupashree Baral

Purpose Enterprise Social Network (ESN) systems have emerged as the technology of choice to bolster and support organizational efforts for harnessing embedded knowledge. However, a lack of understanding about it limits the optimization of its potential. Hence, this paper aims to assess the role of hedonic motivation, network externalities (NE) and top management support in conjugation with the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology theory to understand ESN’s usage for knowledge sharing. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected from 187 ESN users through a survey questionnaire and subsequently analyzed using variance-based structural equation modeling using the partial least squares method. Findings ESNs are used both for utilitarian and hedonic purposes. Furthermore, the results also bring out the importance of externalities arising from an extensive network of users and complimentary services, as well as support regarding resources and recognition from the top management toward reinforcing the benefits of using ESNs. Research limitations/implications This study advances earlier knowledge by assessing the actual usage of ESNs for knowledge sharing. It takes into consideration multiple input variables, namely, performance expectancy, effort expectancy, NE amongst others to best resonate with the key factors driving its adoption and usage by an individual. However, because of the cross-sectional research design, causality can only be inferred. Practical implications The organizations are recommended to have in place the measures for attaining optimal usage of ESNs, and in turn, witness knowledge moves around in ways unfathomable. Steps should be taken to develop tools and ecosystems to provide users affordances for both increasing productivity, as well as opportunities for gaining pleasure. Originality/value This study is one of its kind effort to synthesize the knowledge about the ESNs in an Indian context. It provides fascinating insights into the determinants of intention and usage of ESNs for knowledge sharing.


2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 363-388 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neeraj Dhiman ◽  
Neelika Arora ◽  
Nikita Dogra ◽  
Anil Gupta

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the determinants of user adoption of smartphone fitness apps in context of an emerging economy. Design/methodology/approach The present study uses the extended unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT2) as the base model along with two additional constructs, i.e. self-efficacy and personal innovativeness. The data collection was done through an online survey, wherein a total of 324 valid responses were obtained for the statistical analysis. All the hypothesized relationships were tested through partial least square structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) using an open source programming language and software environment, i.e. R Software along with plspm-package. Findings Significant predictors of smartphone fitness app adoption intention include effort expectancy, social influence, perceived value, habit and personal innovativeness. Further, this study confirms significant relationship between personal innovativeness and habit, self-efficacy and effort expectancy and effort expectancy and performance expectation. This study reveals that personal innovativeness is the strongest predictor of behavioural intention. Contrary to the expectations, factors like performance expectancy, facilitating conditions and hedonic motivation did not influence behavioural intention. Practical implications This study gives significant clues to app developers that can drastically influence the adoption of fitness apps. The findings suggest that marketers should focus on users with high personal innovativeness that can further act as role models and significantly influence their social circle. Interestingly, the findings suggest that fitness apps, as compared to other apps, should not emphasize much on the hedonic value of their offerings. Originality/value This study is one of the few studies to examine the adoption of smartphone fitness apps in an emerging economy context by using extended version of UTAUT2 model. Further, this study shows how new endogenous and exogenous variables (i.e. self-efficacy and personal innovativeness) contribute to better explanatory power of the UTAUT2 framework.


2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohd Hafiz Hanafiah ◽  
Nurul Alia Aqilah Hamdan

Purpose The demand for Muslim friendly tourism industry has been gaining momentum from the increasing number of Muslim travellers globally. This paper aims to examine the role of religiosity in Muslim travellers Halal food consumption attitude and behaviour while travelling to the non-Muslim destination. Design/methodology/approach A total of 384 respondents participated in this study through an online survey. This study used the partial least square structural equation modelling to assess the survey measurements and hypotheses testing. Findings This study asserts that the Muslim travellers’ Halal consumption attitude relies heavily on their level of religiosity, subjective norms and perceived control behaviour. Besides, the results provide evidence that consumption attitude mediates the relationship between religiosity, subjective norm, perceived behavioural control and intention in consuming Halal food products while travelling abroad. Practical implications This study highlighted the critical aspects of an emerging Muslim market that travel for leisure with the urge to comply with their Islamic teachings and religiosity. It is vital for non-Muslim tourism destination marketers to tailor their marketing strategies and consider promoting Islamic dietary rules when planning their travel packages. Originality/value This study is one of the few that focus on Muslim-friendly tourism and the role of religiosity in Muslim traveller’s Halal food consumption behaviour. This study confirms that the theory of planned behaviour model can be used to explain Muslim travellers Halal food consumption attitude while travelling to a non-Muslim destination.


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