Regulating professional identities in the epoch of social media: exploring the process of identity creation for IT workers in India

(Un)limitedVirtual Performance Spaces and Digital Identity Alicia Corts (bio) Many new online performance spaces surround us in the digital age. From social media platforms like Facebook and Snap-chat, to anonymous social media tools like Yik Yak, to graphic social media environments like Second Life, virtual performance gives users the opportunity to create identities that go well beyond what was previously possible. John McCarthy and Peter Wright suggest that when we encounter technology, the space of that interaction changes the concrete, visceral reactions each user experiences as well as the actions and emotions within the space.1 In other words, by entering new virtual spaces of performance, we experience ways of performing that step outside the boundaries of the physical world, giving the illusion that virtual performance is unlimited. For example, Julian Dibbell describes “tripping with compulsive regularity down the well-traveled information lane” where he “checks [his] quotidian identity, steps into the persona and appearance” of another character altogether and, if the mood strikes him, “emerges as a dolphin instead.”2 While researchers like Dibbell have focused on the freedom of identity play in virtual spaces, I am interested in how the virtual performance space itself influences the ways in which users create virtual identities, specifically in social media outlets like Yik Yak and graphic virtual worlds like Second Life. In the physical world, identity grows out of interacting with objects and people, then reflecting on those interactions.3 In virtual spaces, designers have programmed the system that allows users to interact and communicate with objects and people. With the proliferation of virtual spaces, it is important to examine these hidden boundaries to understand who and what shape identity creation. Game users enter virtual spaces of performance unaware of the ways in which the limitations of the program influence their performances and, through reflection on that performance, the identity-creation process. While users adapt to virtual [End Page 113] performance spaces, they often remain unaware of how programs directly and indirectly influence their choices, and in turn influence the creation of online cultural norms. Users of virtual spaces reshape or completely transform their physical world identities. Commenting on the performance of identity, Erving Goffman asserts that the presentation of self is reliant on the sign system present at the site of the performance.4 Each virtual space relies on a different sign system to present that self. In Julian Dibbell’s case, the space accommodates a performance free from the confines of the physical body, allowing him to present himself as a dolphin. Users of Facebook, on the other hand, craft an online identity through the careful curation of photos and specific status updates, but the identity does not necessarily match the reality of life behind the screen.5 The programming behind each digital platform dictates the sign system, limiting how communication can flow between participants. The Facebook page hosts pictures of the user, while a graphic virtual world, like the one Dibbell references, relies on images that have nothing to do with his actual physical appearance. His presentation of self, in Goffman’s terms, is limited by the program. Two dominant theories have emerged in sociology surrounding identity creation: reflexivity and habitus.6 Reflexivity refers to identity creation that results from activities or interactions that force a person to “bend back,” or refer to themselves during an interaction, affecting the formation of identity.7 As an example, a teacher returns a humorous essay assignment to a student. The student, following the directions, used a story well known in his family about a moment when the family car nearly ran over a dog in the road, something the student’s family tells with great laughter every time. The teacher expresses horror at the humorous tone in the essay, and with the feedback, the student can “bend back” and reflect on both the choice of the story and whether that story is something that he should continue to tell outside his family. More deeply, the student may reflect on whether his family’s sense of humor labels his taste in humor as inappropriate to others in society. Whereas reflexivity is about self-awareness brought on after an action...

This chapter investigates how musicians use, manage and value different types of visibility when building their careers. In order to analyze musicians’ experiences and opinions regarding visibility work, we apply three concepts of capital – symbolic capital, social capital and visibility capital. More specifically, we discuss how different forms of capital are valued by musicians in their endeavors to attain visibility. The analysis is based on empirical material from a study of professional musicians in Norway consisting of 57 qualitative interviews. The analysis is presented in four parts: visibility through social relations, visibility by presence in social media, visibility by presence in traditional media, and visibility by virtue of musicians’ geographical location. We find that both social capital – the visibility musicians get from networks and relations – and symbolic capital – the visibility musicians get from being recognized in the field – are seen as unconditionally valuable. However, visibility capital – the visibility musicians get from being present in social and traditional media – has a much more ambiguous status. One the one hand side, it is a way of connecting with and building audiences, which is seen as valuable. On the other hand, presence in social and traditional media requires a lot of work and is associated with certain subjective rules on how to appear and what to communicate.

Oncologists in social media-what are the limits?

The Prevalence and Utility of Vascular Surgery Training Programs' and Vascular Societies’ Social Media Presence

The non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) sector in India has undergone a significant transformation and are playing a critical role for the development of core infrastructure and financing economically weaker sections. Social media plays a multifaceted role in this industry in building trust, shaping brand identity, educating stakeholders and connecting with broader audiences through media channels. This study delves into how social media presence in five major NBFCs of India differs. The data is collected from the company's official social media handles and social media monitoring tools. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the research combines quantitative data analysis of social media engagement with qualitative insights gleaned from social media coverage themes. The paper analyses the wide set of strategies to find the competitive strategies which would be helpful for competitive advantage to the companies. Strategies focused on content, engagement and platform specific strategies could be used to gain a competitive edge in the non-banking financial sector.

Social Media in Stroke Career Development.

Leveraging Social Media and Web Presence to Discuss and Promote Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Radiology.

BackgroundUrologists are increasingly using various forms of social media to promote their professional practice and attract patients. Currently, the association of social media on a urologists’ practice is unknown.ObjectivesWe aimed to determine whether social media presence is associated with higher online physician ratings and surgical volume among California urologists.MethodsWe sampled 195 California urologists who were rated on the ProPublica Surgeon Scorecard website. We obtained information on professional use of online social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, blog, and YouTube) in 2014 and defined social media presence as a binary variable (yes/no) for use of an individual platform or any platform. We collected data on online physician ratings across websites (Yelp, Healthgrades, Vitals, RateMD, and UCompareHealthcare) and calculated the mean physician ratings across all websites as an average weighted by the number of reviews. We then collected data on surgical volume for radical prostatectomy from the ProPublica Surgeon Scorecard website. We used multivariable linear regression to determine the association of social media presence with physician ratings and surgical volume.ResultsAmong our sample of 195 urologists, 62 (32%) were active on some form of social media. Social media presence on any platform was associated with a slightly higher mean physician rating (β coefficient: .3; 95% CI 0.03-0.5; P=.05). However, only YouTube was associated with higher physician ratings (β coefficient: .3; 95% CI 0.2-0.5; P=.04). Social media presence on YouTube was strongly associated with increased radical prostatectomy volume (β coefficient: 7.4; 95% CI 0.3-14.5; P=.04). Social media presence on any platform was associated with increased radical prostatectomy volume (β coefficient: 7.1; 95% CI –0.7 to 14.2; P=.05).ConclusionsUrologists’ use of social media, especially YouTube, is associated with a modest increase in physician ratings and prostatectomy volume. Although a majority of urologists are not currently active on social media, patients may be more inclined to endorse and choose subspecialist urologists who post videos of their surgical technique.

Zaiontz, Dan. (2015). #Follow the leader: Lessons in social media from #HigherEd CEOs. St. Louis, MO: EDUniverse Media. Pages: 143. Price: 29.99 USD (paper).Dan Zaiontz's #Follow the Leader's subtitle, lessons in social media from #HigherEd CEOS, pithily captures the essence of the book. Written as a social media manual for leaders in higher education, it is based on interviews with twenty-two college and university presidents in Canada and the United States, focusing on they navigate the social media landscape, using (as the frequent use of hashtags already suggests) Twitter, yet also Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, Google+, YouTube and other tools build and maintain an institutional presence, communicate with various stakeholders, and create and support virtual communities for their respective higher education institutions. #Follow the Leader is an accessible, engaging and well-structured book that outlines the risks and rewards of social media presence for higher education leaders, culls best practices from the range of social media profiles it offers on college/university presidents that have been interviewed, and offers planning tools and matrices for higher education leaders and their communication advisors develop workable and actionable social media strategies. Importantly, #Follow the Leader is not an academic treatise nor does it desire locate itself within larger scholastic debates around social media consumption and behaviour, theories of leadership and management, the corporatization of higher education and the politics of higher education leadership and administration, name a few potential discussions. While avoiding these debates and those similar them may contribute its reading ease, better situating itself in various kinds of debates that traverse higher education and business management, academically and in terms of policy, might have also deepened the significance of its approach and message.Zaointz's primer begins with the suggestion that, in 2015, when the book was published, social media presence for higher education leaders wasn't mandatory. Yet, his whole book is a detailed examination of the merits and benefits of actively cultivating such a presence. He begins with outlining key questions that leaders should entertain in deciding embark on their respective social media journeys, including their reasons for engaging with prospective and current students, faculty, alumni, government, media and fundraising stakeholders, their own personal capacities for risk and reputational harm and their personal strengths as communicators. Thus, Zaointz's manual is both a how to as well as a learn from. While profiling the relatively successful strategies employed by his interviewees, including presidents of such institutions such as Laurentian University, Southern New Hampshire University, Olds College, and the University of Cincinnati (as well as the now maligned University of Missouri), Zaointz also outlines the steps required build a social media presence and the strategy undergird it for a higher educational leader testing the social media waters and looking for guidance.Zaointz argues that benefits of an active social media presence, such as improved metrics on student satisfaction, ameliorated reputational perceptions, favourable legislative change, and renewed funding, need outweigh the potential risks personal, professional and institutional reputations. He suggests that when higher education leaders seek build and cultivate a social media presence, they should align their messaging with that of their institution's interests and values, be transparent, model someone they find effective, identify interests and provide metrics, design a success matrix and work with strategic advisors or communication specialists. Zaointz diagnoses three models of social media content creation: the ghostwriter, the hybrid and the independent. …

In today's digital era, the intersection of social media and healthcare has emerged as a valuable tool for medical communication and education. However, the use of social media among microtia families has not been thoroughly explored in literature. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the presence of microtia surgeons on social media, the attitudes of microtia families towards physician social media use, and the motivations behind social media usage among microtia families. This study employed a cross-sectional survey methodology. Self-administered questionnaires were used to assess microtia families present in dedicated Instagram and Facebook groups, whereas the presence of microtia surgeons was assessed through responses from an official WhatsApp group. The findings reveal a significant disparity between the demand for microtia surgeons' social media presence and their actual engagement. Although 90.5% of microtia family respondents believed that microtia surgeons should have a presence on social media platforms, only 46.0% of microtia surgeons maintained an active presence. Of microtia families, 55% expressed that they used social media both to facilitate interactions with other families and explore treatment options. Microtia surgeons more often utilized Instagram and Twitter than microtia families. Of microtia families, 40.5% reported using a combination of social media platforms, most often Facebook. This study underscores the increasing reliance on social media for medical information. By increasing their social media presence, microtia surgeons can not only enhance patient education and satisfaction but also contribute to the broader landscape of medical communication and education in the digital age.

People have done various ways to get information to fulfil their information needs. Until the presence of social media that changes lifestyles, thinking patterns, social society, and education. The presence of Instagram social media is one of the contemporary social media that is of interest to various groups to access information including lectures. This research aims: (1) To describe the motives for using Instagram social media @fuadiainponorogo as information media for FUAD IAIN Ponorogo students class of 2020. (2) To analyse the fulfilment of information needs of FUAD IAIN Ponorogo students class of 2020 on Instagram social media @fuadiainponorogo as information media. The method used is a qualitative descriptive approach. Data analysis using Miles and Hubberman, namely data reduction, data presentation, data verification, and conclusion drawing. Research results: First, the motives for utilising social media Instagram @fuadiainponorogo as information media are four in the MAIN model, namely information arises because of the use of Instagram @fuadiainponorogo as the dissemination of lecture information. Entertainment is seen from posting video reels that follow the trend. Social interaction arises from the interaction between the Instagram account admin @fuadiainponorogo and followers. Personal identity because Instagram account followers @fuadiainponorogo average student Faculty of Ushuluddin, Adab and Da'wah. Second, fulfilling the need for information on the Instagram account @fuadiainponorogo is enough to meet the information needs of students of the Faculty of Ushuluddin, Adab and Da'wah class of 2020 as an information media that requires more lecture information posts.

Deaf identity construction in Malaysia

IT-driven identity work: Creating a group identity in a digital environment

The purpose of this study was to assess the association between social media presence (Twitter and Instagram), diversity in orthopedic surgery residency programs, and the number of applications received by a program. Data from Twitter and Instagram for 179 orthopedic residency programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education were collected, including the presence of a social media account, date of first post, number of posts, and number of followers. Residency program data were collected from the Association of American Medical Colleges Residency Explorer Tool and included percentage of Whiteresidents, percentage of male residents, residency ranking, and number of applications submitted during the 2019 application cycle. Bivariate and multivariable analyses were performed with adjustment for program ranking. Of 179 residency programs, 34.6% (n=62) had Twitter, and 16.7% (n=30) had Instagram. Overall, 39.7% (n=71) had a social media presence, defined as having at least one of the two forms of social media. Programs with social media presences had higher average rankings (48.1 vs 99.6 rank, P<.001). After adjusting for program ranking, social media presence was associated with increased applications during the 2019 application cycle (odds ratio [OR]=2.76, P=.010). Social media presence was associated with increased odds of gender diversity (OR=3.07, P=.047) and racial diversity (OR=2.21, P=.041). Individually, Twitter presence was associated with increased odds of gender (OR=4.81, P=.018) and racial diversity (OR=4.00, P=.021), but Instagram was not (P>.05). Social media presence is associated with more residency program applications and increased resident diversity. Social media can be used to highlight inclusivity measures and related opportunities. [Orthopedics. 2023;46(1):47-53.].

Social media engagement in the form of sharing before and after photographs following surgery and posting surgical videos and patient testimonials has become a popular form of promotion and marketing for clinicians. A significant proportion of patients undergoing cosmetic surgery are influenced by the results or before/after photos. Different geographical regions, though, have variations both among surgeons posting content and the viewers being influenced by them. The aim of the survey was to assess the patterns of social media use for professional promotion and patient outreach and the self-reported perceived impact of social media among oculoplastic surgeons in India. An online survey was sent to members of the Oculoplastics Association of India (OPAI) in early 2023. This was an anonymized survey and had a response rate of 36% (252/702). Of the 252 responses, 66% were women. In all, 28.6% of the respondents had their own professional website. When asked if they felt social media engagement was an important part of practice building, 73% agreed, 9% disagreed, and 19% were unsure. However, only 34% of the respondents had a social media presence related to their practice/professional account. Of those with a social media presence, the most popular platform was Facebook (77%), followed by Instagram (72%) and YouTube (48%). In all, 52/86 (61%)surgeons reported that social media posts had translated into patient visits. Posts on ptosis and blepharoplasty resulted in maximum engagement and patient visits. Of those who did not have a social media presence, constant pressure to post content regularly and unfamiliarity with the platform were the most common reasons cited. Also, 65% of the respondents under the age of 40 reported having a professional practice-related social media profile as compared to 31% of those above 40 (p<0.0001). Members of OPAI largely see social media engagement as an important part of practice building, but unfamiliarity with the platform and constant pressure to post content are challenges faced by them. Social media presence appears to benefit some surgeons by way of an increase in clinic visits and improved visibility. Facebook and Instagram remain the most popular platforms favored by the OPAI members. The proportion of oculoplastic surgeons below 40 years of age who are active on social media is significantly higher than those aged over 40 (p<0.0001).