The Use of Digital Media among China students in Belarusian State University during Covid-19 Pandemic

The purpose of this study is to understand the views of Chinese students studying in Belarus during the covid-19 pandemic and to reveal the extent to which they use online media. Through in-depth interviews, this study interviewed 10 Chinese students with different majors, genders, rental conditions and residence years in Belarus, hoping to objectively reflect the situation of Chinese students as much as possible. The interview results showed that during the epidemic period, online social media was the main contact information of these students, but Chinese media were more popular. Foreign media are the source of supplementary information for Chinese students during the epidemic. The diversity of media channels and the problems of Chinese social circles in Belarus also make Belarusian students experience information overload and information anxiety. In terms of media trust, Chinese students trust domestic mainstream media more than foreign media and social platform information.

Research on the Teaching of Visual Communication Design Based on Digital Technology

In the era of big data, the rapid development of information technology has made the sharing of data and information more free, bringing convenience to the public, but at the same time, the massive amount of data also brings “information anxiety.” In this paper, we use the knowledge of design discipline, combined with psychological cognitive science, statistics, and communication discipline, and analyze a large number of excellent cases to effectively combine “information visualization-visual representation-design.” The purpose of this study is to enable audiences to efficiently access information through visual symbols in a large amount of data and to increase their interest in reading and satisfaction in accessing information. As a carrier of communication between designers and audiences in the process of visual representation of information visualization, visual symbols can effectively convey information content and emotional concepts to audiences. Finally, based on the theoretical support of the previous paper, combined with our own practical experience, we conduct a systematic study on the application of design thinking and the construction of design methods for the design of visual representations of information visualization. A comparative study on the aesthetics of different categories of APP interface design is conducted, and it is believed that different categories of APP can create distinctive and different categories of APP interface aesthetics through the differentiated design of interface layout, content expression, and visual form, which is considered as the ultimate goal that APP interface design must pursue. Visual representation is a method and means to realize information visualization as a representation practice that expresses the meaning of information in the form of visual symbols. The visual representation of information visualization uses visual symbols as a medium, and the audience interprets the visual symbols based on cognitive experience to obtain information, which helps to maximize the dissemination of information.

Similarity Effect and Purchase Behavior of Organic Food Under the Mediating Role of Perceived Values in the Context of COVID-19

Due to the influence of COVID-19, people pay more attention to the balance between human and nature and pursue more healthy, environmental and nutritional sustainable products (such as organic food). However, the mainstream consumption of organic food is far less, especially in developing countries like China. Therefore, it is urgent to take effective measures to promote the development of China's organic food market. This current study investigated the relationships between consumers' similarity (i.e., information anxiety, uncertainty, and sustainable consumption attitude), perceived values (i.e., functional value, health value, and environmental value) and organic purchasing behavior based on the Stimulus-Organism-Response (S-O-R) theoretical model and information similarity effect. And considering gender differences in consumers' similarity, perceived values and organic purchasing behavior. Meanwhile, the mediating effects of perceived values on the relationship between consumers' similarity and purchasing behavior were also discussed, considering the background of COVID-19. Data were collected using structured questionnaire survey in first-tier cities in China. A total of 344 consumers of organic foods participated in the study. Structural equation modeling was employed for data analysis. The results indicated the significant association of information anxiety, uncertainty and sustainable consumption attitude with perceived values. And perceived values and sustainable consumption attitude had a positively significant influence on purchase behavior. In addition, environmental value played mediating effects in the relationships between organic purchasing behavior and information anxiety, uncertainty and sustainable consumption attitude. And the impact of sustainable consumption attitude and environmental value on organic purchasing behavior differed in gender. The research not only provides novel insights for understanding organic consumption, but also provides reference for organic sellers to develop sales strategies and policy makers to formulate policies to guide organic consumption, which are conducive to promoting China's organic food industry.

Three Needs and Information Anxiety on Knowledge Purchase Intentions across Online Knowledge Platforms

Given the recent advances in technology, knowledge-based products have become increasingly prevalent. Many companies offer interdisciplinary resources for incumbent learners to break through chronological and geographical constraints. Therefore, it is important to investigate the factors that motivate learners to pay for knowledge-based products. The purpose of this research was to identify the relevant factors that contribute to purchasing intentions and to clarify the reasons why people purchase knowledge-based products. This study involved 406 valid participants over 20 years of age with knowledge purchase experience. The results demonstrated that incumbent learners’ need for affiliation has a positive effect on involvement, and that involvement has a significant positive impact on knowledge purchase intentions. The key factor influencing learners to pay for knowledge-based products is their involvement in learning. Information anxiety interferes with the relationship between involvement and knowledge purchase intentions. However, no linear relationship was found between cognitive styles and involvement. Field-dependent learners show greater involvement and also information anxiety than field-independent learners. The research offers suggestions for practical use and future research from the perspective of knowledge-product marketing.

The Effects on Anesthetic Knowledge after Pre-Anesthetic Visit Comparing between the Use of Face-To-Face Interview Alone with Face-To-Face Interview Plus Animated Video or Brochure in Patients Undergoing Elective General Anesthesia

Background: Additional media during the pre-anesthetic visit may improve knowledge of anesthetic information, reduce anxiety, and increase patient satisfaction. Objective: To compare three of the pre-anesthetic visit conducting methods in knowledge score of anesthetic information, anxiety, and satisfaction in patients undergoing elective general anesthesia. Materials and Methods: The authors randomized 225 patients into three groups, the animated video plus face-to-face interview group, which included 76 patients (group V), the brochure plus face-to-face interview group, which included 73 patients (group B), and the face-to-face interview only group, which included 76 patients (group F). The patients were asked to complete the same self-evaluation questionnaires at three different times, which were before, immediately after, and on the day of surgery after the pre-anesthetic visit, to evaluate for the knowledge of anesthetic information, anxiety, and satisfaction level. Results: At all times, the knowledge scores of anesthetic information were statistically different among the three groups (p=0.002). V and B group had higher knowledge scores when compared with F group. The mean difference between the V and F groups were 1.36 (95% CI 0.41 to 2.32, p=0.005), and between the B and F groups were 1.99 (95% CI 1.02 to 2.96, p<0.001). However, there was no difference in knowledge score between the V and B group after the visit (p>0.999 and 0.559, respectively). The anxiety scores were never statistically different between the three groups (p=0.365). While the patients had high satisfaction scores on the day of surgery, there were no statistically significant differences between the three groups (p=0.220). Conclusion: The use of medias either animated video or brochure added to the routine face-to-face interview can improve anesthetic knowledge, but animated video was not more effective than the brochure in elective surgical patients undergoing general anesthesia. The difference in methods did not affect patient anxiety and satisfaction. Keywords: Knowledge; Pre-anesthetic visit; General anesthesia; Video; Brochure

Difficulties in employment perceived by individuals with ASD in Poland

Purpose Individuals with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnosis often desire to be useful to society and may have the ability to work. Unfortunately, in Poland as in other countries, most remain unemployed. The purpose of this paper is to determine the factors that make gaining and retaining employment difficult for people with autism from their perspective. Design/methodology/approach This paper presents a qualitative research synthesis, that explored experiences of 15 individuals with autism regarding the process of seeking and maintaining employment. In-depth interviews were conducted with each study participant, and four discussion panels were held with small groups. Findings The difficulties described by the study participants included lack of detailed information, anxiety, high stress levels and overcommitment. Some of them also reported that they were unable to find out the reasons for misunderstanding or dissatisfaction on the part of their employers. Social implications The paper emphasizes the need to increase public awareness and reliable knowledge about autism spectrum disorders. Originality/value The paper draws conclusions regarding common difficulties from the perspective of individuals with autism. It shows how features associated with autism can be related to specific problems at work or during the process of looking for it. It also indicates changes that should be made in the employers' approach to help people with autism gain and retain employment.

Panic buying or preparedness? The effect of information, anxiety and resilience on stockpiling by Muslim consumers during the COVID-19 pandemic

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine the causes of consumer stockpiling by Muslim consumers during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Specifically, this paper examines exposure to COVID-19 information and its relationship with panic buying directly, indirectly through anxiety and as moderated by resilience. Design/methodology/approach In the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, this study surveys 1,006 Muslims from a sample of 1,392 UAE citizens and residents about their exposure to COVID-19 information, anxiety, resilience and panic buying. Findings Greater exposure to COVID-19 information had a direct effect on panic buying yet a much weaker indirect effect through increased anxiety. This mediating effect is only significant at moderate to high levels of resilience, suggesting panic buying is a particular coping response of resilient individuals who experience anxiety after greater exposure to COVID-19 information. Anxiety was found to increase panic buying above that directly related to COVID-19 information exposure. Social implications Findings provide some guidance for policymakers where a nuanced approach to building and directing resilience and in directing information flows are needed to curtail panic buying within their Muslim populations. Originality/value While the phenomenon of consumer stockpiling is referred to as panic buying, the findings suggest that anxiety plays a smaller role in the process than preparedness prompted by crisis-related information exposure. Furthermore, this is the first study to date to specifically examine COVID-19 related panic buying among a Muslim population.