Public police’s philanthropy and Twitter communications in Canada

PurposePolice services, police associations and police foundations now engage in philanthropy and these efforts are communicated using social media. This paper examines social media framing of the philanthropic and charitable work of police in Canada.Design/methodology/approachDrawing from discourse and semiotic analyses, the authors examined the ways that police communications frame contributions to charity and community’s well-being. Tweets were analyzed for themes, hashtags and images that conveyed the philanthropic work of police services, police associations as well as police foundations.FindingsThe authors discovered four main forms of framing in these social media communications, focusing on community, diversity, youth and crime prevention. The authors argue that police used these communications as mechanisms to flaunt social capital and to boost perceptions of legitimacy and benevolence.Research limitations/implicationsMore analyses are needed to examine such representations over time and in multiple jurisdictions.Practical implicationsExamining police communications about philanthropy not only reveals insights about the politics of giving but also the political use of social media by police.Originality/valueSocial media is used by organizations to position themselves in social networks. The increased use of social media by police, for promoting philanthropic work, is political in the sense that it aims to bolster a sense of legitimacy.

Download Full-text

Engaging fans through social media: implications for team identification

Sport Business and Management An International Journal ◽

10.1108/sbm-06-2013-0013 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 5 (3) ◽

pp. 199-217 ◽

Cited By ~ 26

Author(s):

Matthew D. Meng ◽

Constantino Stavros ◽

Kate Westberg

Keyword(s):

Social Media ◽

Design Methodology ◽

Team Identification ◽

Sport Organizations ◽

Content Type ◽

Online Comments ◽

Different Types ◽

Use Of Social Media ◽

Direct Use ◽

Practical Implications

Purpose – The ubiquity of social media provides sport organizations with opportunities to communicate with fans and as a result, potentially strengthen team identification. The purpose of this paper is to contribute to emerging research on the nature of social media use by sport organizations by examining the platforms adopted over a three-year period by National Basketball Association (NBA) teams and the way in which social media is used to communicate and engage with fans. Design/methodology/approach – A content analysis was used to examine online comments posted by all 30 teams in the NBA on Facebook and Twitter during the off-season. Findings – The results demonstrate that NBA teams have embraced social media, primarily using four different types of communication to engage fans: Informing, Marketing, Personalizing and Activating. Practical implications – The authors establish that social media is an effective vehicle for sport organizations to engage with fans and to enhance team identification. The data suggests that teams should make a concerted effort in their communications, where possible, to personalize communications, genuinely inform and involve fans and provide relevant marketing communications, all of which can be effectively implemented within existing marketing efforts. Originality/value – This is the first study to examine the direct use of social media by sport organizations and its potential for enhancing team identification.

Download Full-text

Social media as a means to access millennial wine consumers

International Journal of Wine Business Research ◽

10.1108/ijwbr-08-2016-0030 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 29 (3) ◽

pp. 269-284 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Rosana Fuentes Fernández ◽

Frank Vriesekoop ◽

Beatriz Urbano

Keyword(s):

Social Media ◽

Logistic Regression ◽

Observational Study ◽

Design Methodology ◽

Wine Industry ◽

Outcome Variable ◽

Content Type ◽

Dichotomous Outcome ◽

Use Of Social Media ◽

Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to gain insights of the use of social media (SM) in the wine industry. The theoretical viewpoint is to analyse wineries’ SM segmentation, targeting and positioning (STP) to help the wine industry to improve the effectiveness of SM communication. Design/methodology/approach An observational study of Spanish wineries’ SM presence and traffic was carried out during a three-month period in 2013 and repeated in 2016. During this period, a questionnaire was distributed to 196 wineries. Logistic regression was used to model the dichotomous outcome variable of whether a winery “does” or “does not” utilise SM. Additionally, leader wineries were interviewed in April/May 2016 about SM STP. Findings The results show that most wineries are starting in SM without a well-defined strategy. The presence of a webpage is significantly related to the use of SM. SM wineries do not segment and can take advantage of digital targeting strategies. Practical implications Segmentation and targeting SM can improve the effectiveness of the winery SM activities as well as the winery competitiveness in the wine industry. Originality/value This paper is a first step in understanding the value of segmentation SM to reach millennial consumers and the importance of targeting to improve the effectiveness of winery on SM.

Download Full-text

Between hope and fear: developing social media guidelines

Employee Relations ◽

10.1108/er-04-2016-0086 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 39 (2) ◽

pp. 130-144 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Michaël Opgenhaffen ◽

An-Sofie Claeys

Keyword(s):

Social Media ◽

Media Use ◽

Future Research ◽

Social Media Use ◽

Content Type ◽

Work Related ◽

Potential Risks ◽

Use Of Social Media ◽

Depth Interviews ◽

Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine employers’ policy with regard to employees’ social media use. Specifically, the authors examine the extent to which employers allow the use of social media in the workplace, what opportunities can be related to employees’ social media use and how social media guidelines are implemented within organizations. Design/methodology/approach In-depth interviews were conducted with HR and communication managers of 16 European companies from different sectors and of varying size. Findings Some organizations believe that social media should be accessible to employees while others ban them from the workplace. Most respondents believe that organizations can benefit from employees sharing work-related content with their own network. However, they encourage the sharing and retweeting of official corporate messages rather than employees developing their own messages. This fear regarding employees’ messages on social media is reflected in the broad adoption of social media guidelines. Research limitations/implications Future research should chart the nature of existing social media guidelines (restrictive vs incentive). Accordingly, the perceived sense and nonsense of social media guidelines in companies should be investigated, not only among the managers but also among employees. Practical implications Organizations should remain in dialogue with employees with regard to social media. Managers seem overly concerned with potential risks and forget the opportunities that can arise when employees operate as ambassadors. Originality/value The use of in-depth interviews allowed the authors to assess the rationale behind social media guidelines within organizations in depth and formulate suggestions to organizations and communication managers.

Download Full-text

Managing the risks of social media

Human Resource Management International Digest ◽

10.1108/hrmid-07-2014-0103 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 22 (5) ◽

pp. 39-41 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

John Chelliah ◽

James Field

Keyword(s):

Social Media ◽

Design Methodology ◽

Social Implications ◽

Content Type ◽

Personal Use ◽

Use Of Social Media ◽

Practical Implications

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to highlight the risks employers face when employees use social media. Design/methodology/approach – This paper considers the types of risks and suggests how they could be mitigated. Findings – It is revealed that employers need two policies to manage risks associated with the use of social media: one covering business use of social media and another covering employees’ personal use of social media. Practical implications – This paper guides managers in assessing the exposure of their organizations and clients to the risks identified. Social implications – This paper draws attention to the risks associated with the widespread use of social media for both business and employees’ personal purposes. Originality/value – The issue of organizational awareness and preparedness to tackle the challenges posed by social media has been raised.

Download Full-text

Tweeting times

Strategic Direction ◽

10.1108/sd-06-2021-0063 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽

Keyword(s):

Social Media ◽

Case Studies ◽

Design Methodology ◽

Reading Time ◽

Cutting Edge ◽

Content Type ◽

Pertinent Information ◽

Use Of Social Media ◽

Practical Implications

Download Full-text

IMC, social media and UK fashion micro-organisations

European Journal of Marketing ◽

10.1108/ejm-08-2015-0599 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 51 (3) ◽

pp. 668-691 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Claudia Elisabeth Henninger ◽

Panayiota J. Alevizou ◽

Caroline J. Oates

Keyword(s):

Social Media ◽

Design Methodology ◽

Integrated Marketing Communications ◽

Fashion Industry ◽

Integrated Marketing ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Content Type ◽

Online Platforms ◽

Use Of Social Media ◽

Practical Implications

Purpose This paper aims to analyse the practical applicability of integrated marketing communications (IMC) to micro-organisations operating in the UK’s fashion industry, focusing specifically on the use of online platforms. Design/methodology/approach Qualitative methodological tools including semi-structured interviews, semiotics, Twitterfeed and Facebook analysis are used to examine to what extent micro-organisations apply IMC. Findings The findings suggest that these micro-organisations have a limited understanding of IMC. Although they utilise various channels, including social media, there is a disconnect between reaching the audience, understanding their needs and linking these aspects. External factors influence the use of various communication channels, leading to further fragmentation of sent messages. Research limitations/implications This research focuses on five micro-organisations within the fashion industry and thus may be seen as limited in nature. Whilst implications of the findings are discussed in terms of their impact to the wider industry and other sectors, this needs to be further researched. Practical implications Micro-organisations are underdeveloped in terms of both IMC and social media and require practical advice. Originality/value This study investigates two under-researched areas, IMC in micro-organisations and the use of social media within IMC, thereby moving forward our understanding of IMC in practice.

Download Full-text

Facebook, Twitter and the future of HR

Human Resource Management International Digest ◽

10.1108/hrmid-10-2016-0147 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 25 (1) ◽

pp. 41-43

Author(s):

Simon Linacre

Keyword(s):

Social Media ◽

Design Methodology ◽

Reading Time ◽

Customer Engagement ◽

Bottom Line ◽

Content Type ◽

Productive Activities ◽

Pertinent Information ◽

Use Of Social Media ◽

Practical Implications

Purpose This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings Mention the use of social media to some human resource management professionals, and from many you will hear dark mutterings of “distractions” and “waste of time”. Many people believe that while social media – or Web 2.0 as some describe it – offers opportunities for free advertising, promotion and customer engagement, it also allows employees to enter into non-productive activities online that contribute little to nothing to the bottom line. Practical implications The paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world’s leading organizations. Originality/value The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.

Download Full-text

Demographic differences in the perceived news literacy skills and sharing behavior of information professionals

Information Discovery and Delivery ◽

10.1108/idd-02-2020-0015 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽

Author(s):

Kanwal Ameen ◽

Salman Bin Naeem

Keyword(s):

Social Media ◽

Work Experience ◽

Literacy Skills ◽

News Story ◽

Content Type ◽

Validated Questionnaire ◽

Information Professionals ◽

News Literacy ◽

Use Of Social Media ◽

Practical Implications

Purpose This study aims to determine the differences in information professionals’ perceived news literacy skills and sharing behaviors with their demographics (gender, age, qualification, professional experience and working designation). Design/methodology/approach Using a quantitative research design, a cross-sectional survey was conducted to collect the data from information professionals working in university libraries. Findings Findings reveal that the use of social media channels for sharing news was significantly higher among the professionals in the age group <30 years as compared to the older age groups. Female professionals determine the authenticity of a news story more frequently than males. The study concludes that the factors such as age, education level and work experience significantly influence information professionals’ use of social media for sharing news and their news literacy skills. Practical implications The study holds some important practical implications in terms of identifying demographic factors in the perceived news literacy skills and sharing behaviors. Having information about the significant variations in demographics may help in adopting the targeted approaches for organizing news literacy sessions, as well as to develop a framework for news literacy instructions. Originality/value This study adopted the Framework for Information Literacy in Higher Education given by the Association for College and Research Libraries (ACRL) to develop the theoretical framework and questionnaire. The validated questionnaire on news literacy skills has been specifically constructed for the study in absence of finding any in the literature. Moreover, studies were hardly found assessing the difference of demographics with information professionals’ perceived news literacy skills and their news sharing behaviors.

Download Full-text

Social media influence on the B2B buying process

Journal of Business and Industrial Marketing ◽

10.1108/jbim-12-2018-0403 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 34 (7) ◽

pp. 1482-1496 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Hoda Diba ◽

Joseph M. Vella ◽

Russell Abratt

Keyword(s):

Social Media ◽

Design Methodology ◽

Media Influence ◽

Content Type ◽

Exploratory Approach ◽

Functional Blocks ◽

Use Of Social Media ◽

The Relationship ◽

Business To Business ◽

Practical Implications

Purpose This study aims to explore if and how business-to-business (B2B) companies can use social media to influence the buying process. Design/methodology/approach The study uses an exploratory approach into the existing literature related to the B2B buying process and its relationship with social media. Findings The study shows that companies in a B2B context can use social media as a means of influencing the stages of the buying process by means of using one or more of the seven functional blocks of social media. Research limitations/implications The findings demonstrate the relation that exists between each stage of the buyer process in a B2B organization and the functional blocks of social media. This study opens the door for further research into the influence of each of these blocks on the buying process stages and the roles involved. Practical implications This study identifies how social media’s blocks influence the different stages and how organizations can use that to their benefit. Originality/value Few studies have investigated the use of social media in a B2B context. However, not many have looked into the influence of social media in the B2B buying process and buying center. This study looks into the relationship between the buying process stages and social media’s functional blocks as related to the different roles of the buying center.

Download Full-text

All about that tweet: student perceptions of professors’ social media use in the classroom

Journal of Research in Interactive Marketing ◽

10.1108/jrim-01-2015-0008 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 10 (2) ◽

pp. 124-136 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Patrick Merle ◽

Karen Freberg

Keyword(s):

Social Media ◽

Best Practices ◽

Public Relations ◽

Student Perceptions ◽

Design Methodology ◽

Media Use ◽

Social Media Use ◽

Content Type ◽

Use Of Social Media ◽

Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this study is to explore whether public relations professors’ presence on social media and the inclusion of a social media assignment influence students’ perceptions of a course. Design/methodology/approach The experimental portion of this investigation consisted of a 2 (the presence or absence of a professor’s social media accounts) × 2 (the presence or absence of a social media assignment) factorial design resulting in four conditions. Findings The presence of a social media assignment positively influences students’ intent to register for a public relations course. Research limitations/implications The manipulation of a professor’s social media use and the inclusion of a social media assignment might have been too subtle. A more explicit scenario might elicit more reactions from the participants. Practical implications This study discussed key findings and best practices for professors who may want to use social media and the use of social media assignments in the classroom. Originality/value This experimental investigation emerged from a distinct need to understand whether university students expect their professors to engage in social media activities.

Download Full-text