scholarly journals GMO/GMF on Social Media in China: Jagged Landscape of Information Seeking and Sharing Behavior through a Valence View

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (23) ◽  
pp. 4838
Author(s):  
Rongting Zhou ◽  
Dong Wang ◽  
Ahmad Nabeel Siddiquei ◽  
Muhammad Azfar Anwar ◽  
Ali Hammad ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Genetically Modified Organisms ◽  
Genetically Modified ◽  
Perceived Usefulness ◽  
Communication Strategy ◽  
Information Support ◽  
Chinese Society ◽  
Perceived Benefits ◽  
And Behaviors ◽  
Share Information

The study examines the critical factors affecting Chinese social media (SM) users’ intentions and behavior to seek and share information on genetically modified organisms/ genetically modified food (GMO/GMF). The proposed framework was conceptualized through benefit-risk analysis and subsequently mapped SM users’ perceived benefits and risks to seeks and share information using Kurt Lewin’s valence view. Quantitative data was collected using survey questionnaires administered from 583 SM users. The results of the path analysis demonstrated two key findings related to SM users’ perceived benefits and risks to seek and share information on GMO/GMF. Among risks, the psychological risk is the strongest predictor of perceived risk to use SM for GMO/GMF, which consequently determines the intentions and behaviors to share information about GMO/GMF on SM in People’s Republic of China. Among benefits, the results showed that perceived usefulness, creditability of GMO/GMF information, and information support are positively related to perceived benefits to use SM for GMO/GMF, which subsequently, predicts the intentions and behaviors to seek information about GMO/GMF on SM. This study suggests scholars and practitioners explore and utilize the efficient communication strategy to fulfill the potential of the SM to increase GMO/GMF acceptance in Chinese society.

To Eat or Not to Eat: Framing of GMOs in American Media and Its Effects on Attitudes and Behaviors

2020 ◽  
Vol 42 (6) ◽  
pp. 747-775
Author(s):  
Ivanka Pjesivac ◽  
Marlit A. Hayslett ◽  
Matthew T. Binford
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
Genetically Modified Organisms ◽  
Genetically Modified ◽  
New York Times ◽  
Actual Behavior ◽  
Washington Post ◽  
Attitudes And Behaviors ◽  
American Media ◽  
And Behaviors ◽  
The Impact

This study examined the framing of genetically modified organisms in two American newspapers, The New York Times and the Washington Post (2000-2016) and tested the impact of risk and opportunity framing on attitudes and behaviors regarding genetically modified organisms. The content analysis ( N = 165) showed that the two newspapers did not have a dominant frame type in their coverage. A randomized three-condition experiment ( N = 182) showed that the type of framing significantly affected individuals’ attitudes and was able to change them. The type of framing affected individuals’ behavioral intentions through postexposure attitudes but was not able to significantly affect actual behavior.

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.

scholarly journals Educated Millennials and Credence Attributes of Food Products with Genetically Modified Organisms: Knowledge, Trust and Social Media

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (20) ◽  
pp. 8534 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlo Russo ◽  
Mariarosaria Simeone ◽  
Maria Angela Perito
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Scientific Knowledge ◽  
Genetically Modified Organisms ◽  
Ethical Issues ◽  
Genetically Modified ◽  
Food Products ◽  
Health Claims ◽  
Credence Attributes ◽  
Use Of Social Media ◽  
Information Providers

In this paper, we investigated educated millennials’ evaluation of credence attributes in food products containing genetically modified organisms (GMO products). Our goal is to assess whether beliefs about GMO products are determined by scientific knowledge alone or if they are affected by other factors such as trust in information providers and use of social media. The focus on millennials is motivated by the increasing relevance of this social group in the public debate and by their extensive use of social media. We surveyed a sample of 215 Italian college students, confronting them with questions about safety, environmental impact and ethical issues in GMO product consumption. Using an ordered probit regression model, we found that educated millennials build their beliefs using a mix of scientific knowledge and trust in information providers. The role of the two drivers depended on the issue considered. Scientific knowledge drove beliefs in health claims, while trust in information providers was a driving factor in almost all claims. After controlling for trust effects, we did not find evidence of impact of confidence in the reliability of traditional and social media on beliefs. This result contradicts previous literature.

scholarly journals Viral misinformation and echo chambers: the diffusion of rumors about genetically modified organisms on social media

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (5) ◽  
pp. 1547-1564
Author(s):  
Xiaohui Wang ◽  
Yunya Song
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Genetically Modified Organisms ◽  
Genetically Modified ◽  
Content Type ◽  
User Attitudes ◽  
Social Media Platforms ◽  
Echo Chamber ◽  
Fact Checking ◽  
Chamber Effect

PurposeThe spread of rumors on social media has caused increasing concerns about an under-informed or even misinformed public when it comes to scientific issues. However, researchers have rarely investigated their diffusion in non-western contexts. This study aims to systematically examine the content and network structure of rumor-related discussions around genetically modified organisms (GMOs) on Chinese social media.Design/methodology/approachThis study identified 21,837 rumor-related posts of GMOs on Weibo, one of China's most popular social media platforms. An approach combining social network analysis and content analysis was employed to classify user attitudes toward rumors, measure the level of homophily of their attitudes and examine the nature of their interactions.FindingsThough a certain level of homophily existed in the interaction networks, referring to the observed echo chamber effect, Weibo also served as a public forum for GMO discussions in which cross-cutting ties between communities existed. A considerable amount of interactions emerged between the pro- and anti-GMO camps, and most of them involved providing or requesting information, which could mitigate the likelihood of opinion polarization. Moreover, this study revealed the declining role of traditional opinion leaders and pointed toward the need for alternative strategies for efficient fact-checking.Originality/valueIn general, the findings of this study suggested that microblogging platforms such as Weibo can function as public forums for discussing GMOs that expose users to ideologically cross-cutting viewpoints. This study stands to provide important insights into the viral processes of scientific rumors on social media.

scholarly journals The GM-regulation game – the case of Hungary

2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (7) ◽  
pp. 945-968 ◽  
Author(s):  
József Popp ◽  
Judit Oláh ◽  
Miklós Fári ◽  
Péter Balogh ◽  
Zoltán Lakner
Keyword(s):  
Open Economy ◽  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Genetically Modified Organisms ◽  
Genetically Modified ◽  
Genetically Modified Crops ◽  
Quantitative Model ◽  
Communication Strategy ◽  
Basic Law ◽  
The Media ◽  
Active Communication

Hungary, this small and open economy with limited natural resources, tries to build its future on creativity and innovation. At the same time, the country has declared in its basic law a categorical prohibition on the application of genetically modified organisms. The aim of this study is to explain the causes of this obvious contradiction. The collection of expert estimations regarding the relative positions and attitudes of different actors has been carried out in the form of face-to-face interviews with 67 stakeholders in the agri-food sector, following a strictly neutral approach, not taking into consideration whether the respondents have taken positions for or against the application of genetically modified crops. In order to define the key actors in the GM regulation debate, their mutual influences and their goals. Based on this information, a quantitative model has been developed to determine the system of interests of different actors and the coalition(s) which develop among them around different goals. The results of the analysis emphasise that a wide coalition of anti-GMO actors has formed, consisting of researchers, NGOs, GM-free certifiers, the media and the parliamentary parties. However, their interests are quite different, as is their natural reluctance to accept new, partially unknown technology. The results of our investigations support the practical applicability of strategic position analysis, supported by modern expert-opinion based quantitative methods. The application of this approach offers a favourable possibility to determine the positions of various actors. Under these conditions, there is an urgent need to change the communication strategy of pro-GMO scientists and other stakeholders and instead of taking a defensive position, pro-active communication should be adopted.

scholarly journals WILLINGESS TO CONSUME GENETICALLY MODIFIED FOOD IN CHINESE PERSPECTIVE

2019 ◽  
Vol 56 (04) ◽  
pp. 799-808
Author(s):  
Muhammad Asim Nawaz
Keyword(s):  
Secure Communication ◽  
Genetically Modified ◽  
Explanatory Power ◽  
Partial Least Square ◽  
Least Square ◽  
Communication Strategy ◽  
Genetically Modified Food ◽  
Perceived Benefits ◽  
Gm Food ◽  
Trust In Technology

Almost after investing 25 years in research and development, China has reached to the decisional stage to either continue or discontinue or at least reduce the introductory speed of the genetically modified (GM) food production. The current study integrates the Benefit-Risk Analysis (BRA) framework and trust to study the consumer willingness to consume GM food. A structured survey conducted in nine major cities of China among 345 qualified samples analyzed through structural equational modeling-smart partial least square (SEM-Smart PLS). The statistical results lead to the following conclusions: The proposed psychological-persuasive model highlights the “trust in institutions” holds the least explanatory power while communicating about GM food-related risks in society. In the case of mapping perceived benefits, the trust in technology should be improved; as in the overall view of BRA, the perceived benefits hold less explanatory abilities in contrast to perceived risks. In other words, a secure communication strategy can change the public acceptance trend of GM food in China

User Engagement in Public Discourse on Genetically Modified Organisms: The Role of Opinion Leaders on Social Media

2018 ◽  
Vol 40 (6) ◽  
pp. 691-717 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qian Xu ◽  
Nan Yu ◽  
Yunya Song
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Public Discourse ◽  
Genetically Modified Organisms ◽  
Genetically Modified ◽  
Message Framing ◽  
Opinion Leaders ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
User Engagement ◽  
The Public

This study adopted a quantitative content analysis to examine how source attributes of opinion leaders and their message framing influenced user engagement in the public discourse of genetically modified organism (GMO) on Chinese social media. The findings showed that different source attributes and message frames used by opinion leaders varied in their respective influences on three dimensions of user engagement—reposts, comments, and likes. The attribute of account verification only predicted surface-level engagement (i.e., liking), whereas account type significantly influenced in-depth engagement (i.e., reposting and commenting). The fact, opportunity, pro-GMO, and international frames positively predicted user engagement.

Create E-Newsletters, Podcasts, Wikis, Social Networks, Blogs, and Webinars

2021 ◽  
pp. 179-203
Author(s):  
Dennis Meredith
Keyword(s):  
Social Networks ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Communication Strategy ◽  
Communication Tool ◽  
Research Groups ◽  
The Public ◽  
Academic Networks ◽  
Pros And Cons ◽  
The Many ◽  
Share Information

E-newsletters, podcasts, wikis, social networks, blogs, and webinars can all be important to researchers’ communication strategy. However, they should be prioritized along with the many other activities and responsibilities. Researcher should also decide what their social media “persona” should be. E-newsletters should be organized to include content users will find helpful and should be managed to observe best practices. Podcasts should observe specific technical and production requirements to make them successful. Wikis can be highly useful to share information within and among research groups. Social networks—including lay-level and academic networks—can provide valuable contacts and promote collaboration. Blogs can be useful communications with lay and professional audiences but have both pros and cons. Twitter and webinars can be a conduit to the public, as well as a useful communication tool within research groups.

The state of GMOs on social media

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
Christopher D. Wirz ◽  
Emily L. Howell ◽  
Dominique Brossard ◽  
Michael A. Xenos ◽  
Dietram A. Scheufele
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Political Ideology ◽  
Genetically Modified Organisms ◽  
Genetically Modified ◽  
News Coverage ◽  
State Level ◽  
The State ◽  
Rural And Urban ◽  
Education Levels ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract This study analyzes the relationship between state-level variables and Twitter discourse on genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Using geographically identified tweets related to GMOs, we examined how the sentiments expressed about GMOs related to education levels, news coverage, proportion of rural and urban counties, state-level political ideology, amount of GMO-related legislation introduced, and agricultural dependence of each U.S. state. State-level characteristics predominantly did not predict the sentiment of the discourse. Instead, the topics of tweets predicted the majority of variance in tweet sentiment at the state level. The topics that tweets within a state focused on were related to state-level characteristics in some cases.

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