Autism and the transition to university from the student perspective

Autism ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (6) ◽  
pp. 1531-1541 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sinead Lambe ◽  
Ailsa Russell ◽  
Catherine Butler ◽  
Sangeet Fletcher ◽  
Chris Ashwin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Networks ◽  
Transition To Adulthood ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Social World ◽  
Drop Out ◽  
Student Perspective ◽  
The Social ◽  
Living Skills ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Academic Demands

University provides individuals with the opportunity to develop greater independence in living skills and social networks, while also gaining valuable qualifications. Despite a high proportion of autistic individuals aspiring to attend university, many either do not seek or gain entry or drop out prematurely. Although some steps have been taken to develop effective support, a recent review highlighted the scarcity of research into programmes designed to support autistic students transitioning to university. In addition, few studies have examined the views of autistic students themselves. This study investigated the perspectives of autistic students transitioning to university. Three focus groups were conducted with 25 autistic students preparing to start university. Participants were asked about their hopes for starting university, as well as their worries and concerns. Data were analysed using thematic analysis, from which five main themes were identified: The Social World, Academic Demands, Practicalities of University Living, Leaving the Scaffolding of Home and Transition to Adulthood. The results provide an important account of the challenges autistic students face when transitioning to university, as well as their aspirations. These findings have a number of practical implications.

Theories of Social Networks

2020 ◽  
pp. 33-49
Author(s):  
Jan Fuhse
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Social World ◽  
Mutual Orientation ◽  
Relational Sociology ◽  
Individual Action ◽  
The Social ◽  
Action Networks ◽  
Theoretical Thinking ◽  
Objective Structures

Theories of social networks offer abstract perspectives of what social networks are and how they are connected to other features of the social world. This chapter gives an overview of three recent perspectives: (1) Theorists of action (Burt, Coleman, Lin, Hedström) regard social networks as objective structures restricting or enabling individual action. Networks become a resource (social capital) that actors strive to maximize. (2) Authors following pragmatism or symbolic interactionism (Emirbayer, Martin, Crossley) consider social networks as patterns of subjective meaning arising out of the interaction between actors. This approach is linked to field theoretical thinking, considering networks as arising out of the mutual orientation in fields. (3) Relational sociologists (White, Tilly, Mische, Padgett, Fuhse) treat social networks as infused with meaning that is processed in communication/transaction/switchings between actors. Relational sociology has been amended to study networks of symbols and the communicative dynamics of social networks.

scholarly journals A STUDY ON SOCIAL MEDIA OPINION ABOUT WOMEN INVESTORS

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nijolė Maknickienė ◽  
Lina Rapkevičiūtė
Keyword(s):  
Social Networks ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Short Term Memory ◽  
The Social ◽  
Word Clouds ◽  
Scientific Papers ◽  
Main Factors ◽  
Investment Process ◽  
Investment Choices ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – to investigate opinions on social networks about women’s investment and its determinants. Social network sentiment research aims to find out why investing remains a very masculine area of life. Research methodology – Twitter social network analysis tools will be used for data mining. Word clouds and sentiment index will be obtained using neural network classification algorithm based on Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM). Findings – the paper obtained the dynamics of three-week opinions on the social network Twitter, considering the main factors that influence women’s choice to invest. Research limitations – only the main factors were investigated and only based on a survey of other authors. Data were extracted from the social network for a limited time. Practical implications – traditionally, investing has remained an area dominated by men. However, women are be-coming increasingly financially independent and increasingly involved in the investment process. Therefore, it is very important to analyze the factors that hinder the achievement of investment results. Originality/Value – there are many scientific papers that examine the factors that determine women’s investment choices. However, opinions and sentiments on social networks have not been explored.

Bridging the gap

2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (5) ◽  
pp. 900-916 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seungjin Choi
Keyword(s):  
Social Capital ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Social Relationships ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Reciprocal Relationships ◽  
The Social ◽  
Group Members ◽  
And Performance ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to theoretically clarify the relationship between public service motivation and performance by suggesting a framework in which social networks among members provide an explicit mechanism linking employees’ PSM with their performance and by proposing several empirically testable propositions. Design/methodology/approach – The author suggests a theoretical framework based on a literature review and combining insights from several major strands of theory including social capital and social network theories. Findings – Conceptually, the paper shows that, first, the extent of the social relationships among group members and their positions within a network vary depending on the level of PSM; second, individuals with high PSM are more likely to complete their tasks when they are in central positions in a network of advice relations and less likely to complete their tasks when they are in peripheral positions in central positions and a network of advice relations in a network of adversarial relations; third, group members with high PSM are more likely to complete group tasks when the group has higher density in a network of advice relations and less likely to complete tasks in a dense network of adversarial relations. Practical implications – The author demonstrates the possibility of reciprocal relationships between PSM and social networks, in which PSM builds social capital that reinforces each member’s PSM by enhancing relationship quality, which will positively affect performance. Originality/value – This paper provides opportunities for future empirical research by developing the discussion about a new conceptual mechanism in the relationship between PSM and performance, proposing an initial conceptual framework that clarifies the PSM and performance linkage, and suggesting several testable propositions.

Mastering the Art of Jugaad and Guanxi

2014 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 14-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ron Berger
Keyword(s):  
Social Networks ◽  
Business Strategies ◽  
Business Systems ◽  
Foreign Markets ◽  
Social Constructs ◽  
International Firms ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Performance Research ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose: Successfully entering foreign markets is a major issue in the field of international business. Cultural ignorance increases uncertainty that hinders a firm's international performance. Research has shown that the impact of cultural differences is one of the biggest obstacles to entering the Chinese and Indian markets, which are seen as one of the more important and growing markets in the last decade. This paper builds a framework for analyzing and choosing effective business strategies across the divide between very different business systems and cultures. It assists western firms in how to enter these complex markets and increase the probability of success. Design/methodology/approach: the proposed conceptual model hinges on social networking theory. Three different strategies are presented based on the different cultural, political and historical settings of China and India. Findings: the paper builds a framework for India and China structured around three core attributes to building social networks. It shows what international firms need to do in-order to build social networks that allow access to the local markets and decrease business risks. Practical implications: the proposed conceptual models enable marketers to cope even with the most complex markets and improve their probability for success. Originality/value: the literature review demonstrates that researchers have not dealt in-depth with the social constructs of social networks, especially in India. The paper depicts the commonality and differences between the two countries and serves as a basic business model when penetrating these markets.

scholarly journals Exploring the experience of Gamblers Anonymous meetings during COVID-19: a qualitative study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katy L. Penfold ◽  
Jane Ogden
Keyword(s):  
Social Networks ◽  
Social Interaction ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Group Dynamics ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Psychological Contract ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
The Social ◽  
Gamblers Anonymous ◽  
The Uk

AbstractWhilst much research has explored the possible causes and consequences of gambling, Gamblers Anonymous (GA) − one of the most accessed forms of support for gamblers - has been largely overlooked and, to date, only a few studies have explored how members experience this programme. Core to GA is the social interaction between members. From March 2020, however, the COVID-19 pandemic forced GA to move their meetings online. The present qualitative study therefore explored how GA members experienced these online meetings in the absence of actual face to face interactions with others. Individual telephone or video call interviews (n = 21) were carried out with members of GA in the UK and analysed using Thematic Analysis. The results described three main themes: (1) ‘practicalities of GA in lockdown’, which highlighted the practical benefits of online meetings such as more opportunity to attend different meetings, which in turn expanded participants’ perspectives and social networks; (2) ‘the importance of relationships in GA’, reflecting strong and enduring social networks that were created, maintained, and strengthened by feelings of solidarity; and (3) ‘therapeutic elements of the meetings’, such as psychological contract making which helped participants to stay abstinent. Transcending these themes was a tension between individual versus group identity with interviewees reporting a shift to focusing more on their own needs rather than those of the group. Overall, whilst still providing a lifeline during COVID-19 and offering some practical benefits, the online GA meetings were not able to completely replicate the value individuals gained from face to face meetings. This transition also resulted in disruptions both to group dynamics and to individual interactions within each group, ultimately resulting in participants behaving more individualistically and less collectively than in face-to-face meetings.

Clean up your network: how a strike changed the social networks of a working team

2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (1/2) ◽  
pp. 43-63 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kirsten Thommes ◽  
Agnes Akkerman
Keyword(s):  
Social Networks ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Social Relations ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Team Conflict ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative ◽  
Work Related ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This paper aims to analyse the impact of an intra-team conflict on the social relations within a team. The team conflict was triggered by a strike action which separated the team in two groups, the strikers and the worker, who continued to work. After the strike was settled, all had to work again cooperatively. This paper analyses how the strike action affects work and private social networks among workers. Design/methodology/approach The authors combine a qualitative ethnographic approach with quantitative network data. Findings The authors find that the strike action led to a separation between the former group of strikers and non-strikers. While the subgroups become more cohesive and their social network density increased, the links between both groups diminished. Research limitations/implications This study reveals that strikes and the accompanying separation of the workforce can improve social relations within the team, if individuals behaved alike during the conflict. Practical implications For managers, the results raise questions concerning typical managerial behaviour during strikes, as managers frequently trigger separation by trying to convince some individuals to continue to work. Instead, groups may even improve their performance after a strike, if they were allowed to behave alike by all joining the strike or refraining. Originality/value This study is the first to analyse social relations after a conflict. The authors combine qualitative and quantitative data and show the evolution of a social network after a strike. Moreover, they separate private communication flows and work-related communication and show that both networks do not necessarily evolve equally after a conflict.

The surprising lack of connection between social networks and the enterprise success of ultra-religious female micro-entrepreneurs

2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 395-415 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yisca Monnickendam-Givon ◽  
Dafna Schwartz ◽  
Benjamin Gidron
Keyword(s):  
Social Networks ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Women Entrepreneurs ◽  
Snowball Sampling ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Social Legitimacy ◽  
Network Utilization ◽  
The Social ◽  
Enterprise Success ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The utilization of social networks is known to have an impact on micro-enterprise success. This study aims to examine the contribution of social networks in acquiring resources and their role in the enterprise’s success. Design/methodology/approach A business’s success is influenced by its network structure and the network’s resources. The authors examine whether unique religious-cultural characteristics affect the social networks contribution to a business’s success. This model examines the network utilization of women entrepreneurs who own micro-enterprises in ultra-religious groups. The sample consists of 123 surveys completed by Jewish ultra-Orthodox women entrepreneurs in Israel. Data collection was conducted between February and June 2013. The authors used a snowball sampling approach where interviewees were asked to refer us to other entrepreneurs. In the hour-long interview, a questionnaire was used with open and closed questions. Findings Findings indicate that strong personal ties provide a micro-enterprise with social legitimacy, emotional support and assistance in the management and operation of daily activities. However, contrary to the existing literature, network utilization did not contribute to enterprise success. That is, in religious communities in particular, social networks enable the existence of businesses, but do not contribute to their success. Practical implications The practical implications of this paper are the mapping of the social network resources used by the business owner, such as financial consultations or professional assistance, as well as distinguishing between strong and weak ties, which reflect the intensity of the contact for better use of the social network by the entrepreneurs. Originality/value This study examined social networks’ contribution to the acquisition of resources, as well as the part they play in the success of ultra-orthodox women micro-entrepreneurs and perhaps other religious and minorities groups.

scholarly journals Product Recommendation based on Sybil and Trusted Votes in Social Networks

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 5434-5440
Keyword(s):  
Social Networks ◽  
Community Detection ◽  
Online Social Networks ◽  
Social Behaviour ◽  
Social World ◽  
Detection Algorithm ◽  
Information Gathering ◽  
Online Environment ◽  
The Social ◽  
Community Detection Algorithm

Networks is a platform which is easily accessible by normal users worldwide. Online Social Networks facilitates users online to get registered with ease of speed and create their own accounts to communicate with the social world for information gathering. This platform allows everyone to get registered online irrespective of their social behaviour. Users here are creating duplicate accounts that is creating Sybil in the network. By this Sybil online Social Networks are suffering for different kinds of Sybil attacks online. In social networks user’s feedback and preferences play an important role in suggesting friends online or recommending products online. When collecting the feedback or preferences of any product online both Sybil user’s and real user’s data is considered as we are not differentiating the Sybil user or real user. From this products, recommended online will not have an efficient rating which would divert the buyers online. To over this problem we propose Sybil Community Detection Algorithm (SCD) and TrustRank Algorithm that bifurcates real user votes and Sybil users votes to fetch the efficient products online thus build secure online environment.

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