Reconnecting with the past: a framework to better serve the information needs of older people on social networking sites

2018 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 154-165
Author(s):  
Faouzi Kamoun ◽  
Sofien Gharbi ◽  
Ali Amine Ghazeli
Keyword(s):  
Older People ◽  
Social Networking ◽  
Recommender System ◽  
Social Networking Sites ◽  
Social Engagement ◽  
Information Needs ◽  
Design Science ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Google Maps ◽  
Content Type

Purpose Grounded in the socio-emotional selectivity theory, the purpose of this paper is to develop a people recommender and social matching system that better serves the information needs of older people on social networking sites or services (SNSs). Design/methodology/approach The paper uses systems development as a design science research methodology to construct a conceptual framework and then design and prototype a recommender system. Findings The research demonstrates that it is possible to exploit Google Maps-based interfaces, coupled with historical geo-temporal information, to develop a recommender system on SNSs that can empower older adults to reconnect with past acquaintances. Research limitations/implications The proposed system is an advanced prototype that has been tested using simulated data sets as opposed to real-life data involving actual end-users through field studies. Practical implications When examined through the lenses of socio-emotional and neighborhood theories, this research opens new opportunities to develop supportive social networks for older people. Social implications The paper promotes a better social engagement and contributes to the mental and physical health of older people, which can act as a shield against loneliness, anxiety and depression. Originality/value The paper uses Google Maps interfaces and the concept of geo-temporal proximity indices to build an “elder-friendly” recommender system that can assist older people to reconnect with past friends, neighbors and colleagues.

The impact of social networks in the development of a personal sports brand

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 274-294 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Robert Green
Keyword(s):  
Social Networks ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Social Networking ◽  
Social Networking Sites ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Rugby Union ◽  
Added Value ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Impact

Purpose – Over the past two decades the subject and growth of social media has been exponential, along with its relevance to the sport marketing industry. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the strategic usage of social networking websites to develop the concept of a personal brand by international rugby union players. Design/methodology/approach – This study was embedded within an interpretivist paradigm that allowed the qualitative examination of the way international rugby players use social networking sites. The primary data collection method involved ten semi-structured interviews and was triangulated with secondary sources which involved visiting the three social networking sites utilised by all the players (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram). Findings – The research analysis revealed personal branding themes that can be classified according to the following mnemonic: personality, exposure, response, follow, endorse, consistent, and target audience (PERFECT). Research limitations/implications – This study has focused entirely upon international rugby union players; therefore no claim is made for generalisability to other contexts. A potential area for future research lies in replicating this study in different sport settings in order to identify whether the identified contextual factors also play a role outside of international rugby union and for different gender, playing-level or social media categories. Practical implications – This study has reinforced that, within “real-life” social networking contexts, the development of an online profile can help create differentiation for players in a highly competitive market, especially if they share similar “sporting” characteristics with colleagues or other athletes. This research highlights that the utilisation of social networks by sports athletes has to become part of a strategic marketing approach. Originality/value – The author draws attention to the theoretical position based on the PERFECT mnemonic offering sports athletes a framework to develop a successful online branding strategy. The central premise is based on emphasising uniqueness and distinction to offer a competitive advantage by delivering added value throughout various communications.

Connecting and being connected: investigating friending practices across multiple social networking sites

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chien Wen Yuan ◽  
Yu-Hao Lee
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Social Networking ◽  
Social Networking Sites ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Social Ties ◽  
Relationship Maintenance ◽  
Strong Ties ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Bonding Social Capital ◽  
Amazon's Mechanical Turk

PurposeSocial networking sites (SNSs) offer people the possibility of maintaining larger networks of social ties, which also entails more complex relationship maintenance across multiple platforms. Whom to “friend” and via which platform can involve complex deliberations. This study investigates the relationships between users' perceived friending affordances of five popular SNSs (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat and LinkedIn) and their friending behaviors concerning strong ties, weak ties (existing and latent ties) and parasocial ties.Design/methodology/approachAn online survey using Qualtrics was provided to participants (N = 626) through Amazon's Mechanical Turk (MTurk). The survey asked their SNS use and their friending behaviors with different ties on each of the sites.FindingsUsers' friending decisions are dependent on an interplay of socio-technical affordances of each SNS and specific needs for the ties. The authors found that the affordances of bridging social capital and enjoyment are aligned with friending weak and parasocial ties, respectively. The affordances of bonding social capital were not valued to friend strong ties.Originality/valueThe study extends the affordance and social capital literature by assessing users' perceived, contextualized SNS affordances in relation to actual communication behaviors in friending different social ties. This approach provides contextualized insights to friending decisions and practices on SNSs.

scholarly journals Perceived value of social networking sites (SNS) in students' expressive participation in social movements

2014 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 56-78 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan D. Borrero ◽  
Shumaila Y. Yousafzai ◽  
Uzma Javed ◽  
Kelly L. Page
Keyword(s):  
Social Movements ◽  
University Students ◽  
Social Networking ◽  
Technology Acceptance ◽  
Social Networking Sites ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Ease Of Use ◽  
Perceived Usefulness ◽  
Intention To Use ◽  
Content Type

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to determine the beliefs that influence university students to use social networking sites (SNS) for expressive participation in social movements. Design/methodology/approach – The original technology acceptance model (TAM), a quantitative methodological approach, and a survey were used to collect responses from 214 university students in Spain. Structural equation modelling was used to test the proposed relationships. Findings – Results confirm that the perceived ease of use (PEU) and perceived usefulness (PU) of SNS significantly affect a student's intention to use SNS for expressive social participation in social movements, with use intention significantly affecting actual participation. There was no significant moderating effect of students' gender on these relationships. Originality/value – Although there is much discussion in the popular press about how people use SNS, there is no published empirical research on the determinants that contribute to a person's intention to use and actual use of SNS in the context of social movements. This paper is one of the first studies to investigate young people's perception of the SNS usefulness and ease of the use for participation in social movements.

User-generated content on the Facebook page of an emergency management agency

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (4) ◽  
pp. 558-579 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jayan Chirayath Kurian ◽  
Blooma Mohan John
Keyword(s):  
Social Networking ◽  
Emergency Management ◽  
Social Networking Sites ◽  
Disaster Recovery ◽  
Information Dissemination ◽  
Social Networking Site ◽  
User Generated Content ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Management Agency ◽  
Mixed Response

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore themes eventuating from the user-generated content posted by users on the Facebook page of an emergency management agency. Design/methodology/approach An information classification framework was used to classify user-generated content posted by users including all of the content posted during a six month period (January to June 2015). The posts were read and analysed thematically to determine the overarching themes evident across the entire collection of user posts. Findings The results of the analysis demonstrate that the key themes that eventuate from the user-generated content posted are “Self-preparedness”, “Emergency signalling solutions”, “Unsurpassable companion”, “Aftermath of an emergency”, and “Gratitude towards emergency management staff”. Major user-generated content identified among these themes are status-update, criticism, recommendation, and request. Research limitations/implications This study contributes to theory on the development of key themes from user-generated content posted by users on a public social networking site. An analysis of user-generated content identified in this study implies that, Facebook is primarily used for information dissemination, coordination and collaboration, and information seeking in the context of emergency management. Users may gain the benefits of identity construction and social provisions, whereas social conflict is a potential detrimental implication. Other user costs include lack of social support by stakeholders, investment in social infrastructure and additional work force required to alleviate the technological, organisational, and social barriers in communication among stakeholders in emergency management. A collective activity system built upon the Activity Theory was used as a lens to describe users’ activity of posting content on the Facebook page of an emergency management agency. Practical implications By analysing the findings, administrators and policy makers of emergency management could identify the extent to which the core principles of disaster recovery are accomplished using public social networking sites. These are achieved in relation to: pre-disaster recovery planning; partnership and inclusiveness; public information messaging; unity of effort; and, psychological recovery to maximise the success of recovery in a disaster. Furthermore, a core principle which evoked a mixed response was timeliness and flexibility. Originality/value Previous studies have examined the role of social networking sites in disastrous situations, but to date there has been very little research into determining themes found in user-generated content posted on the Facebook page of an emergency management agency. Hence, this study addresses the gap in literature by conducting a thematic analysis of user-generated content posted on the Facebook page of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Optimizing transparency for users in social networking sites

Info ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. 8-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ellen Wauters ◽  
Verónica Donoso ◽  
Eva Lievens
Keyword(s):  
Social Networking ◽  
Social Networking Sites ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Information Provision ◽  
Visual Design ◽  
Cognitive Differences ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Legal Documents ◽  
Types Of Information ◽  
Insight Into

Purpose – This article aims to reflect on possible ways to optimise current ways to deliver information provision to make it more transparent to users. In particular, this article will refer to the benefits (and challenges) of using more user-centred approaches to inform users in a more transparent way. Design/methodology/approach – In this paper we analyse individual, as well as contextual factors (e.g. cognitive differences, time constraints, specific features of social networking sites [SNS] platforms) which may have an impact on the way users deal with Terms of Use, privacy policies and other types of information provision typically made available on SNS platforms. In addition, possible ways of improving current practices in the field are discussed. In particular, the benefits (and challenges) of a user-centred approach have been referred to when it comes to informing users in a way that is more meaningful to them. Finally, it is discussed how user-centred approaches can act as mechanisms to increase transparency in SNS environments and how (alternative) forms of regulation could benefit from such an approach. Findings – The authors believe that it is necessary to start focussing on users/consumers’ needs, expectations and values to develop visualisation tools that can help make law (more) meaningful to users/consumers by giving them a better insight into their rights and obligations and by guiding them in making truly informed decisions regarding their online choices and behaviour. Originality/value – By looking at different techniques such as visual design and the timing of information, the article contributes to the discussion on how people can be made more aware of legal documents and actually read them.

Flipping the Script

2018 ◽  
pp. 135-147 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Lynn Campbell
Keyword(s):  
Social Networking ◽  
Social Networking Sites ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Dietary Change ◽  
Social Changes ◽  
Human Diet ◽  
Script Theory ◽  
Eating Meat ◽  
Usa Today

This chapter proposes to “Flip the Script” of the prescribed diet in USA today that primarily revolves around eating meat. The consumerization of the consumption of meat is pervasive in this country, and individuals are culturally constructed to believe animal proteins are essential to the human diet. Using script theory, this chapter examines social networking sites (SNSs) as channels for implementing a mass dietary change in today's society, that which excludes meat. Script theory determines that individuals use instrumental knowledge of how to understand, react, and respond to situations that are repeatedly encountered. Being ideal spaces for initiating social changes, SNSs replicate real-life situations and are platforms, whereby messages can be shared, promoted, and exchanged in a global networked public.

Impact of Social Networking on College Students

2013 ◽  
pp. 263-275
Author(s):  
Rajalakshmi Kanagavel ◽  
Chandrasekharan Velayutham
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Social Networking ◽  
Cultural Differences ◽  
Social Networking Sites ◽  
Real Life ◽  
College Going ◽  
Survey Technique ◽  
Virtual Interaction ◽  
Indian Students ◽  
Youth Perspective

In today’s world where Internet has experienced tremendous growth, social networking sites have become highly significant in peoples’ lives. This comparative study between India and the Netherlands will concentrate on youngsters more precisely college going students in Chennai and Maastricht. The research explores how college students create identity for themselves in the virtual world and how they relate to others online. It will analyze the cultural differences from the youth perspective in both the countries and discuss whether social networking sites isolate youngsters from the society or help them to build relationships; the participation in these sites is also explored. Survey technique, interview, and online observation were the research methods used. Findings show that Indian students spend more time in these sites than Dutch students and Dutch students participate more actively than Indian students. It was also found that virtual interaction taking place in these sites is just a supplement to real life interaction.

Impact of Social Networking on College Students

2010 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 55-67 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rajalakshmi Kanagavel ◽  
Chandrasekharan Velayutham
Keyword(s):  
College Students ◽  
Social Networking ◽  
Social Networking Sites ◽  
Virtual World ◽  
Real Life ◽  
College Going ◽  
Survey Technique ◽  
Virtual Interaction ◽  
Indian Students ◽  
Youth Perspective

In today’s world where Internet has experienced tremendous growth, social networking sites have become highly significant in peoples’ lives. This comparative study between India and the Netherlands will concentrate on youngsters more precisely college going students in Chennai and Maastricht. The research explores how college students create identity for themselves in the virtual world and how they relate to others online. It will analyze the cultural differences from the youth perspective in both the countries and discuss whether social networking sites isolate youngsters from the society or help them to build relationships; the participation in these sites is also explored. Survey technique, interview, and online observation were the research methods used. Findings show that Indian students spend more time in these sites than Dutch students and Dutch students participate more actively than Indian students. It was also found that virtual interaction taking place in these sites is just a supplement to real life interaction.

Moving beyond one-off procurement innovation; an ambidexterity perspective

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-19
Author(s):  
Henrico Plantinga ◽  
Hans Voordijk ◽  
André Dorée
Keyword(s):  
Design Science ◽  
Public Procurement ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Science Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Science Project ◽  
Real Life Setting ◽  
Integration Mechanism ◽  
Organizational Problem ◽  
Integration Mechanisms

Purpose The development of innovative procurement instruments can be costly and risky. To capitalize on successful innovative instruments, it is essential that these are reused. However, reuse can be problematic in project-based public client organizations. This paper aims to apply the ambidexterity concept of integration mechanisms to examine how such reuse can be facilitated. Design/methodology/approach An initial framework is developed to conceptualize and contextualize the ambidexterity integration mechanism for the procurement function of a multi-project public client. Concluding that, in this situation, an organizational procedure is an appropriate interpretation of the integration mechanism, a design science project is carried out to develop and implement a procedure in a real-life setting. Findings Reconstructed reuse patterns confirm the need to have an actionable integration mechanism implemented. Integration, in the sense of drawing benefits from successful one-off innovative procurement instruments, may fail unnoticed if not organized and deliberately managed. The procedure developed in the design science project demonstrates how such integration can be achieved. Originality/value Although research on ambidexterity has grown exponentially in the past decade, it is yet to be applied in the field of public procurement. Furthermore, the application of design science research is novel in this field of literature. The paper illustrates how both can help solve a relevant organizational problem.

scholarly journals The value of social networking sites in hotels

2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 114-132 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Diffley ◽  
Patrick McCole
Keyword(s):  
Social Networking ◽  
Social Networking Sites ◽  
Customer Value ◽  
Hotel Industry ◽  
Research Area ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Marketing Activities ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Hotel Marketing

Purpose Despite the rapid growth of social networking sites (SNSs), research demonstrating the marketing application of these technologies is lacking. Consequently, this paper aims to explore the impact of SNSs on hotel marketing activities. Design/methodology/approach An exploratory study was used. Adopting a key informant approach, in-depth interviews were conducted with 14 respondents in the hotel industry, who use SNSs as part of their hotel marketing efforts. Findings Networked interactions facilitated by SNSs can influence the marketing activities of hotels in many ways. This extends to deeper connections and co-creating value with customers to enhance the market offerings and promotional activities of the firm. Not all interviewees capitalised upon the capabilities offered by SNSs. Practical implications SNSs act as a key knowledge resource that can be used by practitioners to create and deliver superior customer value. However, the extent to which this is achieved depends on who is responsible for implementing it. Specifically, those with a more proactive attitude and approach towards marketing on SNSs tend to reap greater benefits. Originality/value Using the service-dominant logic as a guide, this paper offers greater insight into the theory and practice of social media marketing in the hotel industry, an under-studied and fragmented research area.

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