Should Scientists Talk About GMOs Nicely? Exploring the Effects of Communication Styles, Source Expertise, and Preexisting Attitude

2019 ◽  
Vol 41 (3) ◽  
pp. 267-290 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shupei Yuan ◽  
Wenjuan Ma ◽  
John C. Besley
Keyword(s):  
Science Communication ◽  
Genetically Modified Organisms ◽  
Genetically Modified ◽  
Communication Style ◽  
Communication Styles ◽  
Expectancy Violation ◽  
Source Expertise ◽  
Subject Experiment ◽  
Significant Mediator ◽  
Practical Implications

The present study investigated the effects of communication styles, source expertise, and audiences’ preexisting attitudes in the contexts of the debate regarding genetically modified organisms. A between-subject experiment ( N = 416) was conducted manipulating communication styles (aggressive vs. polite) and the expertise of the communicator (scientist vs. nonscientist) in blog articles. The results showed significant effects of communicator expertise and individuals’ preexisting attitudes on writer likability and message quality, depending on the communication style used. Expectancy violation was found as a significant mediator that explains the differences. These findings provided a plausible explanation for the way in which communication styles work in science communication contexts and offered practical implications for science communicators to communicate more strategically.

Are you passing along something true or false? Dissemination of social media messages about genetically modified organisms

2020 ◽  
pp. 096366252096674
Author(s):  
Qian Xu ◽  
Yunya Song ◽  
Nan Yu ◽  
Shi Chen
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Network Analysis ◽  
Structural Stability ◽  
Network Structure ◽  
Genetically Modified Organisms ◽  
Genetically Modified ◽  
Network Density ◽  
Media Messages ◽  
Practical Implications

Using network analysis, this study investigates how information veracity and account verification influence the dissemination of information in the context of discourse about genetically modified organisms on social media. We discovered that misinformation and true information about genetically modified organisms demonstrated different dissemination patterns on social media. In general, the dissemination networks of misinformation about genetically modified organisms were found to have higher structural stability than those of true information about genetically modified organisms, as shown by the denser network structure with fewer distinct subgroups residing within the dissemination networks. More importantly, unverified account status significantly boosted the dissemination of misinformation by increasing network density. In addition, we found that the posts about genetically modified organisms from unverified accounts received more reposts and had more layers of information relay than those from the verified accounts. Theoretical and practical implications of these findings on combating misinformation are discussed in the article.

Different status reevaluation period and communication styles for top-tier and bottom-tier customers in multi-tier loyalty programs

2020 ◽  
Vol 54 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Woojung Chang
Keyword(s):  
Loyalty Programs ◽  
Communication Style ◽  
Communication Styles ◽  
Loyalty Program ◽  
Evaluation Period ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mediating Role ◽  
Loyalty Intentions ◽  
Research Stream ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This paper aims to investigate how to design a firm’s customer demotion policy and communication styles differently for customers demoted from top-tier and bottom-tier to promote their willingness to restore lost status and loyalty intentions. Design/methodology/approach Four scenario-based experiments were conducted in the customer demotion context of an airline’s hierarchical loyalty program. A total of 796 customers recruited from a survey panel participated in the study. Findings The results reveal that customers in top-tier demotion significantly increase their willingness to restore lost status and loyalty intentions when a short evaluation period (vs a long evaluation period) is given. Further, customers in bottom-tier demotion improve their willingness to restore and, in turn, their loyalty intentions more with a gain-focused communication style than with a loss-focused communication style. Willingness to restore lost status plays a mediating role in the process by which an appropriate match between demotion type and evaluation period type/communication styles leads to higher loyalty intentions. Research limitations/implications This study extends the research stream on customer demotion by examining how to execute customer demotion to mitigate its detrimental effects and facilitate demoted customers’ approach motivation and behavioral intentions, a critical but understudied topic that has been ignored by researchers. Practical implications Managers are advised to offer customized customer status evaluation periods and communication styles for top-tier and bottom-tier demoted customers to effectively promote their willingness to restore lost status and loyalty intentions. Originality/value This study is among the first to explore the possible varying effects of differential demotion policy and communication style on different tiers of customers.

scholarly journals Entomology in the 21st Century: Tackling Insect Invasions, Promoting Advancements in Technology, and Using Effective Science Communication—2018 Student Debates

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Casey Parker ◽  
Lina Bernaola ◽  
Benjamin W Lee ◽  
Dane Elmquist ◽  
Abigail Cohen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Annual Meeting ◽  
21St Century ◽  
Science Communication ◽  
Genetically Modified Organisms ◽  
Genetically Modified ◽  
Entomological Society ◽  
The World ◽  
Joint Annual Meeting ◽  
Effective Science

Abstract The 2018 student debates of the Entomological Society of America were held at the Joint Annual Meeting for the Entomological Societies of America, Canada, and British Columbia in Vancouver, BC. Three unbiased introductory speakers and six debate teams discussed and debated topics under the theme ‘Entomology in the 21st Century: Tackling Insect Invasions, Promoting Advancements in Technology, and Using Effective Science Communication’. This year’s debate topics included: 1) What is the most harmful invasive insect species in the world? 2) How can scientists diffuse the stigma or scare factor surrounding issues that become controversial such as genetically modified organisms, agricultural biotechnological developments, or pesticide chemicals? 3) What new/emerging technologies have the potential to revolutionize entomology (other than Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats)? Introductory speakers and debate teams spent approximately 9 mo preparing their statements and arguments and had the opportunity to share this at the Joint Annual Meeting with an engaged audience.

Emotional change management risks in manager communication styles

2017 ◽  
Vol 33 (11) ◽  
pp. 26-28
Keyword(s):  
Emotional Response ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Middle Managers ◽  
Communication Style ◽  
Communication Styles ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Emotional Change ◽  
Manager Communication ◽  
Pertinent Information ◽  
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 papers in context. Findings This research paper demonstrates how middle managers adopt an authoritative communication style when they perceive their organization to be under threat. This emotional response is even more true in managers who exhibit high levels of organizational commitment. 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.

scholarly journals 423 What’s the beef with communication? Investigating communication styles of advanced animal science students

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 180-181
Author(s):  
Shannon L Norris ◽  
Holli Leggette ◽  
Hanna Siptak ◽  
Andy Herring ◽  
Theresa Murphrey
Keyword(s):  
Science Communication ◽  
Scientific Information ◽  
Potential Effect ◽  
Communication Style ◽  
Communication Styles ◽  
Animal Science ◽  
Experience Levels ◽  
Effective Science ◽  
American Society ◽  
Industry Needs

Abstract Effective science communication skills are vital to the animal science industry for translating science-focused information to lay audiences. To address the American Society of Animal Science’s (2017) third core principle of communicating research and scientific information in an “open, transparent, and dynamic manner,” we sought to investigate the communication styles of students enrolled in a senior-level animal science (beef cattle production) course at Texas A&M University. To do so, we described students’ preferred communication style(s) and ranching experience levels to assess potential effect of ranching experience levels on communication styles. We used Hartman and McCambridge (2011) communication style assessment to describe the communication styles of amiable, analytical, driver, and expressive for students enrolled in this course during four semesters (N = 188; spring 2018 = 61, summer 2018 = 15, fall 2018 = 55, and spring 2019 = 57). Of these, 124 were females (66%) and all (100%) were animal science majors. Students preferred the amiable communication style (n = 59; 31.4%), while females preferred amiable (n = 124; 32.3%) and males preferred driver (n = 64; 29.3 %). Students were moderately experienced with ranching (M = 3.1, SD = 1.08 on a 1-to-5, lowest to highest, respectively, scale). We used a one-way, between-subjects ANOVA to compare the effect of ranching experience on communication styles at the P < 0.05 level and met the assumption of homogeneity using Levene’s test (P = 0.52). There was no significant effect [F(10, 174) = 0.68, P = 0.74]. Because amiable communicators are generally supportive but not assertive, we recommend implementing decision-making exercises to move them to become more assertive in making decisions. Previous experiences due to familiarity with livestock production were not related to communication styles. Therefore, we recommend investigating students’ communication styles to prepare animal science graduates to meet industry needs.

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