scholarly journals An Investigation of the Influencing Factors of Chinese WeChat Users’ Environmental Information-Sharing Behavior Based on an Integrated Model of UGT, NAM, and TPB

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 2710
Author(s):  
Yang Chen
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Public Participation ◽  
Information Sharing ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Environmental Communication ◽  
Environmental Information ◽  
Uses And Gratification ◽  
Uses And Gratification Theory ◽  
Sharing Behavior

Sustainable development is a common challenge for all. Under this background, how to promote public participation in environmental communication has become an important topic. The purpose of this study is to understand the motivating mechanism behind Chinese WeChat users’ environmental information-sharing behavior by taking China’s unique social and cultural background into account. A comprehensive theoretical model for this study is constructed based on the uses and gratification theory, the norm activation model, and the theory of planned behavior. Through an online survey, data were collected from 526 participants to test the research model. The research results show that Chinese WeChat users’ environmental information-sharing behavior is motivated by both egoistic factors (self-presentation, information seeking, and socializing) and altruistic factors (awareness of consequences and ascription of responsibility). During the behavioral decision-making process, these motivating factors impact people’s actual sharing behavior via their attitudes toward the behavior, subjective norms, personal norms, and behavioral intention in various patterns. The findings are discussed from an interdisciplinary perspective of media usage, prosocial behavior, and behavioral psychology. This article not only proposes a new conceptual framework to explain social media users’ behavior of sharing environmental information but also provides important theoretical and practical implications regarding motivating public participation in environmental communication on social media.

scholarly journals Testing a conceptual model of Facebook brand page communities

2015 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 239-258 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Shao ◽  
Mitchell Ross
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Consumer Participation ◽  
Theoretical Frameworks ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Uses And Gratification ◽  
Uses And Gratification Theory ◽  
Brand Building ◽  
Status Seeking

Purpose – This paper aims to investigate consumer participation in Facebook brand page communities from the perspectives of uses and gratification theory and mass media dependency theory. Design/methodology/approach – Data collection via an online survey resulted in 450 valid surveys where consumers indicated to what extent their motivations for Facebook use were socializing, entertainment, status seeking and information seeking. The sample included 358 respondents who had previously liked a brand on Facebook. These respondents were asked to provide the name of a brand they had liked on Facebook and answered questions regarding their experiences with the Facebook brand page for their self-identified brand. Findings – Results indicate that motivation dimensions have differential effects at three different stages of consumer interaction with a Facebook brand page community. Socializing and information seeking are the primary reasons for initially joining a Facebook brand page community. After becoming a member of a Facebook brand page community, consumers require entertainment to keep them engaged. However, as consumers become more sophisticated, their involvement with a Facebook brand page and their frequency of posting on that page are dependent on their need for information. Originality/value – Insight is gained into the role of social media, specifically Facebook, in brand building. As theoretical frameworks that can guide branding practices using the social media channel are still in their infancy, this research makes an important contribution to the ongoing theoretical discussion. Additionally, the findings add to the online brand community literature by demonstrating the key drivers of consumer willingness to join and participate in a Facebook brand page community.

Examining the antecedents of everyday rumor retransmission

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tung-Ching Lin ◽  
Shiu-Li Huang ◽  
Wei-Xing Liao
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Internet Survey ◽  
Least Squares Regression ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Uses And Gratification ◽  
Uses And Gratification Theory ◽  
Basic Law ◽  
Proposed Model ◽  
Status Seeking

PurposeThis study investigates factors that motivate social media users to retransmit rumors. We focus on everyday rumors rather than catastrophic rumors and develop a model of everyday rumor retransmission based on the uses and gratification theory, the rumor retransmission model, and the basic law of rumor.Design/methodology/approachAn Internet survey is conducted to collect data and test the proposed model. This study’s hypotheses are tested through partial least squares regression analysis.FindingsThe results show that socializing, information seeking and status seeking increase the intention to retransmit rumors. Perceived rumor credibility has a moderating effect on the impacts of socializing and status seeking on retransmission intention.Originality/valueOur research model provides a theoretical foundation for future studies that want to explore motivations or values that determine rumor-sharing intention on social media. The findings can help government agencies and businesses to manage rumor retransmission on social media.

YouTube stickiness: the needs, personal, and environmental perspective

2015 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 85-106 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hsiu-Sen Chiang ◽  
Kuo-Lun Hsiao
Keyword(s):  
Web Sites ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Cognitive Theory ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Video Service ◽  
Uses And Gratification ◽  
Uses And Gratification Theory ◽  
Video Sharing ◽  
Sharing Behavior

Purpose – Many video sharing sites (e.g. YouTube, Vimeo, and Break) host user-generated video content in the hopes of attracting viewers and thus profits. Therefore, continuous use and video sharing behavior on the part of site users is critical to the continue enjoyment of other users and to the video service providers business. The purpose of this paper is to provide an improved understanding of what motivates internet users to share videos and spend more time on video sharing web sites. Design/methodology/approach – The authors propose a research model based on Uses and Gratification Theory and on Social Cognitive Theory, incorporating key determinants of web site stickiness. An online survey instrument was developed to gather data, and 265 questionnaires were used to test the relationships in the model. Findings – The causal model was validated using SmartPLS 2.0, and 14 out of 18 study hypotheses were supported. The results indicated that continuance motivation and sharing behavior were important antecedents of YouTube stickiness and mediated the influence of need, personal, and environmental factors. Practical implications – The proposed framework can be used by online video service providers to develop a platform that satisfies user needs and to enhance sharing intention. Originality/value – The study provides a comprehensive framework of the antecedents and effects of continuance motivation and sharing behavior on video sharing web sites.

Exploring sharing behaviors across social media platforms

2018 ◽  
Vol 61 (2) ◽  
pp. 157-177 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chang-Dae Ham ◽  
Joonghwa Lee ◽  
Jameson L Hayes ◽  
Young Han Bae
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Social Exchange ◽  
Social Presence ◽  
Social Exchange Theory ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Self Management ◽  
Theory Approach ◽  
Social Conversation ◽  
Social Media Platforms ◽  
Sharing Behavior

Increasingly, consumers are simulcasting branded content across multiple, interconnected social media platforms creating a complex social media ecosystem. However, little is known about what motivates sharing in the ecosystem as opposed to specific media contexts. Present research explores multiplatform consumers’ general sharing motivations and examines how those motivations, in conjunction with social relationships, influence sharing behavior across social media platforms. First, four focus group interviews were conducted to identify general social media sharing motivations of multiplatform consumers. Employing an online survey ( N = 249), four dimensions comprised of 31 sharing motivation items were identified: social presence, social conversation, easy connection, and self-management. Applying a theory of reasoned action and social exchange theory approach, we conducted a second online survey ( N = 342) to elaborate on our findings in terms of multidimensionality and interdependency among the influencing factors on social sharing behavior. Social conversation exhibited the strongest relationship with attitude toward sharing, whereas self-management was negatively related to the social norm, which, in turn, was negatively associated with sharing intention. Findings and implications are discussed.

Media Use during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Pathogenic or salutogenic? (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marjolaine Rivest-Beauregard ◽  
Justine Fortin ◽  
Connie Guo ◽  
Sabrina Cipolletta ◽  
Ram Sapkota ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Media Use ◽  
Path Model ◽  
Social Media Use ◽  
Related Information ◽  
The Media ◽  
Support Seeking ◽  
Peritraumatic Distress

BACKGROUND While exposure to COVID-related stressors, level of peritraumatic distress, and frequency of media use for seeking COVID-related information can increase the risk for trauma- and stressor-related (TSR) symptoms during the pandemic, frequency of social media use for support and connection may buffer these effects. OBJECTIVE We examined the associations between COVID-related stressors and frequency of media use for information-seeking on TSR symptoms, with a focus on the indirect effects of social media use for support-seeking and peritraumatic distress. METHODS A path model was tested in an international sample of 5 913 adults who completed an online survey. RESULTS COVID-related stressors (β = .25, p <.05) and information-seeking through media (β = .24, p <.05) were significantly associated with TSR symptoms in bivariate comparisons. Levels of peritraumatic distress and frequency of social media use for support were significant intermediary variables (respectively, β=0.71, p<.05; β=.02, p<.05). CONCLUSIONS Results suggest that exposure to COVID-related stressors and seeking COVID-related information through the media are associated with higher levels of peritraumatic distress and, in turn, higher levels of TSR symptoms. Although exposure to the stress of the COVID-19 pandemic may be unavoidable, the frequency consuming COVID-related information through the media should be approached with caution. CLINICALTRIAL NA

Reading, Watching, and Tweeting About Sports: An Analysis of Sport-News Retention

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 503-528
Author(s):  
Joseph H. Moore
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Experimental Design ◽  
Exploratory Study ◽  
News Medium ◽  
Sports Fans ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Uses And Gratification ◽  
Uses And Gratification Theory ◽  
Midwestern University ◽  
Sports News

Much research has been conducted relating to uses-and-gratification theory and how audiences select their news medium and message. Research has examined how newspapers, television stations, and social media outlets such at Twitter present news. However, no research has examined from which medium the audience retains the most information. Through the lens of uses-and-gratification theory, this exploratory study used a 4 × 1 experimental design to fill this gap. A convenience sample of 285 students at a large Midwestern university was invited to participate. A total of 122 responded to the invitation (N = 122). While most reported getting the majority of their sports news via television, participants who were presented news in print scored significantly higher on a retention test than did their counterparts who consumed news via television or Twitter. Avid sports fans retained more information, and the presence of links and images in Twitter did have an impact on how much news was retained. Implications for further research are also discussed.

Use of social media for information discovery and delivery among information professionals in Pakistan

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashfaq Hussain ◽  
Taimoor-Ul-Hassan ◽  
Ghulam Shabir
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Communication Channel ◽  
Information Discovery ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Uses And Gratification ◽  
Uses And Gratification Theory ◽  
Information Professional ◽  
Other Information ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Information Professionals

Purpose This study aims to examine how information professionals select a social media channel for information discovery and delivery. This analysis was focused to provide usage based ranking of social media channels for information discovery and delivery. This study has also measured the preference of social media as compared with other information and communication channels such as radio, TV, newspapers, etc., for information discovery and delivery. This study compared the global social media rank with the study rank to record the variances in the light of uses and gratification theory. Design/methodology/approach For this quantitative research study a self-administered survey questionnaire was used to collect data from the participants of the study. Sample of this study was 700 information professionals necessarily user of social media. Findings Findings of this reveals that social media is the most preferred channel for information discovery and delivery among information professionals and study validates the assumption of uses and gratification theory with a view that information professionals are independent and active users of social media and global rank of social media is significantly different from the rank developed in this study. Research limitations/implications The present study is limited to information professionals only and considers social media (only top 20 sites) as an information and communication channel among information professionals. Practical implications This study has determined the preference of social media as an information and communication channel as compared with other information and communication channels and present a ranking based on usage among information professional, which is significantly different from the existing global user based ranking. Social implications Social media provides versatility of information in different forms and large numbers of information professionals are the users of social media around globe. This study shall help information professional to select appropriate channels for information discovery and delivery. Usage based ranking provided in this study shall stream line the social media practices at large. Originality/value This study has developed a usage based rank of top social media. This study elaborated the preference of social media as an information and communication channel.

Cognitive needs and use of social media: a comparative study of gratifications sought and gratification obtained

2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 79-90
Author(s):  
Ashfaq Hussain ◽  
Ghulam Shabir ◽  
Taimoor-Ul-Hassan
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Media Use ◽  
Social Media Use ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Uses And Gratification ◽  
Uses And Gratification Theory ◽  
Information Professionals ◽  
Use Of Social Media ◽  
Information Comprehension

Purpose The purpose of this study is to compare the gratification sought and gratification obtained for cognitive needs from social media among information professionals in the limelight of uses and gratification theory. Cognitive needs are related to knowledge, acquiring information, comprehension etc., and gratification sought and gratification obtained are two distinct components of the uses and gratification theory. Design/methodology/approach For this quantitative research study, a self-administered survey questionnaire was used to collect data from the participants of the study. Sample of this study was 700 information professionals who are necessarily users of social media. Findings Finding of this study depicted that gratification obtained and gratification sought from social media for cognitive needs are different from each other, and information professionals need to revisit their social media use for cognitive needs. Research limitations/implications The present study is limited to gratification sought and gratification obtained for cognitive needs among information professionals. Practical implications This study has determined that information professionals need to revisit their social media use for cognitive needs, as the obtained gratifications are different from gratification sought from social media. Social implications Social media provides versatility of information in different forms and large numbers of information professionals are the users of social media around globe. Perceived use of social media for cognitive needs has been resulted into destructed gratifications. This study has brought the actual outcome of the use of social media to the audience so that they may rectify their social media use. Originality/value This study is a significant contribution for information professionals to review the gratifications sought and obtained from social media for cognitive needs. It has been established in this study that gratifications sought are significantly different from gratifications obtained from social media among information professionals.

scholarly journals Digital inequalities and social media: experiences of young people in Chile

2017 ◽  
Vol 118 (7/8) ◽  
pp. 372-384
Author(s):  
Sarah McNicol ◽  
Karine Aillerie
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Young People ◽  
Information Seeking ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Ministry Of Education ◽  
School Students ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Related Information ◽  
Use Of Social Media ◽  
Types Of Information

Purpose This paper aims to report the findings from a survey of secondary school students in Chile by exploring their use of social networking services for information-seeking purposes. Design/methodology/approach An online survey was distributed via Chile’s Ministry of Education and 12,354 responses were received. Findings The results indicate that young people in Chile extensively use SNSs, but there are differences in the ways in which they use these services, specifically for information purposes. When considering school-related activities, there are differences in the use of SNSs by students in different types of schools. Those in academic-focussed institutions are more likely to use SNSs for school-related information purposes and are more likely to publish most types of information on SNSs than their counterparts in vocational schools. Research limitations/implications The sample was self-selecting and excluded students without online access to the survey. Practical implications The findings indicate more needs to be done in schools serving lower socio-economic communities to support students’ use of SNSs for information-seeking, especially for academic purposes. Social implications The findings suggest that school-associated social capital may have a role in shaping students’ use of SNSs for information and learning purposes and, potentially, in exacerbating digital inequalities. Originality/value The focus on the use of social media specifically for information-seeking distinguishes this research. The findings challenge possible assumptions about the links between social media use and social class and suggest that differences may be exacerbated by school practices.

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