Online Communication Research Articles

So problematic and so tied to the media: analyzing the misinformation concern in six European countries

PurposeThis paper addresses the social issue of misinformation in six European countries by investigating how intangible factors associated with the collective evaluation of political-institutional behaviors and judgments regarding media practices and uses of online communication channels are related to citizens’ concerns about misinformation.Design/methodology/approachBased on a quantitative approach (data analysis), the study relies on data from the Eurobarometer 98.2 (2023), the official public opinion survey of European institutions. The analysis encompasses six European countries representing the pluralist-polarized (Spain, Italy and Greece) and democratic-corporatist models (Germany, Denmark and Sweden). With a multiple linear regression model, the research explores how independent variables help explain citizens' concerns regarding misinformation in each country.FindingsThe paper emphasizes three main findings: (1) for citizens in five out of six countries, the main factor associated with an increased misinformation concern is the distrust of political information on social network sites. (2) for citizens, how they evaluate the performance of traditional media relates to misinformation concerns and (3) this holds for countries categorized in pluralist-polarized and democratic-corporatist media system models.Practical implicationsMedia managers and policymakers can leverage the insights from this research to address the social concern of misinformation.Originality/valueThis article adds value to existing misinformation studies by underscoring the significance of understanding how citizens’ assessments of political-institutional behaviors, journalism practices and the political use of online communication channels interconnect with the misinformation concern in both pluralist-polarized and democratic-corporatist models.

CONSUMERS’ DIGITAL LITERACY LEVELS AND ONLINE PURCHASING INTENTIONS: GENERATIONS X, Y, AND Z

Purpose: This study aimed to determine consumers’ digital literacy levels, whether their digital literacy levels had an effect on their online purchasing behaviour, and whether their digital literacy levels varied with their demographic characteristics. Few studies in the marketing literature have investigated the concept of digital literacy, which has become an important issue for consumer behaviour. Material and Method: In this study, in which quantitative research methods were used, data were collected from 627 consumers through online survey method. The conceptual model of the study was tested using structural equation modeling. Findings: This study found statistically significantly differences between the generations’ digital literacy levels and online purchasing intentions. Results: Especially for online communication, it is recommended to develop applications and content that will attract and use consumers with different digital literacy levels.

Navigating the Digital Landscape: Evaluating the Impacts of Digital IMC on Building and Maintaining Destination Brand Equity

In the evolving realm of digital marketing, digital integrated marketing communication (IMC) has emerged as a critical factor in building and maintaining brand equity for sustainable tourism destinations. This research examines the impact of digital IMC consistency and interactivity on establishing destination brand equity, while exploring the interconnections among its various dimensions. Grounded in both empirical and theoretical frameworks, this study collected data via an online questionnaire administered to 435 users of online travel agencies, which was analyzed through Structural Equation Modelling (SEM). The results demonstrate that customer-perceived digital IMC (consistency and interactivity) exerts a significant positive influence on destination brand equity, uncovering the intricate dynamics among destination awareness, image, perceived quality, and loyalty. Notably, destination loyalty is influenced by destination awareness through destination image and perceived destination quality, with destination image having a more significant impact than perceived destination quality. This research is significant in constructing knowledge of IMC in the digital tourism marketing paradigm, shedding light on how the consistency and interactivity of online communication affect various consumer brand equity outcomes. Additionally, it provides valuable insights into digital tourism practices and sustainable development, enriching the discourse regarding how digital IMC enhances destination brand equity.

Being family via WeChat: Children's interpretation of long‐distance family relationships

AbstractThis study explores how left‐behind children in rural China maintain long‐distance family relationships through WeChat, highlighting the significant role of social media during family separation. It underscores the importance of considering children's voices in understanding family relationships in the digital age. Drawing on online workshops and interviews with 41 participants, the research examines how Chinese left‐behind children use WeChat to facilitate parental engagement and manage their emotions. It also investigates the challenges children face in online communication and their perspectives on grandparental involvement. This article argues that children's agency is situated within structural conditions shaped by a confluence of factors, including technological affordances, unique familial contexts, and socio‐economic inequalities. This situatedness fosters creativity, compromises, and adaptations in ‘being family’ at a distance.

Psychological mechanisms of group influence on individual behavior

The paper analyzes psychological mechanisms of group influence on individual behavior, including conformity, social suggestion, authority pressure, and imitation, which have a decisive influence on individual behavior formation in social groups. Special attention has been paid to these mechanisms’ transformation under the influence of digital media and new communication technologies in the context of globalization. Digital platforms influence on the political activity of young people has been studied, which emphasizes the increasing role of online communications in shaping group behavior. Group norms and expectations, often imposed through digital platforms, actively shape social identity and individuals’ behavior, increasing their susceptibility to group pressure and conformity. Leadership styles have also been found to significantly influence group dynamics by altering group members’ behavioral responses. Cross-cultural studies show the importance of contextualization, as responses to social pressure vary across cultures. There is a need for further research on the long-term effects of social influence and the development of methods to minimize its negative effects on individual behavior. The study results contribute to a deeper understanding of the social influence mechanisms in the context of globalization, noting the importance of an interdisciplinary approach.

THE POTENTIAL OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) TO IMPROVE ELECTRONIC WORD-OF-MOUTH'S (eWOM) EFFICACY

Internet-mediated online communication, particularly with regard to a product, brand, or organization, is known as electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM). Analyzing this open exchange of opinions and information about a company or product among consumers can be extremely useful for businesses. Opinion mining, (sentiment analysis), is a popular subdomain in Natural language processing (NLP) which allows for transforming qualitative data into quantitative information. The sentiment analysis of eWOM has greatly improved with the advancement of artificial intelligence (AI). Nowadays, computer algorithms can automatically classify the sentiment polarity of digital communication after extracting plain text. Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to fundamentally alter how companies assess and use consumer feedback to improve their products and services. In this paper, the authors, by analysing the attitudes of 450 respondents, tried to bring this current topic closer to experts in the field of digital marketing, in order to point out to them all the benefits that the sentiment analysis of consumers with the help of artificial intelligence algorithms can provide. The aim of this study is to indicate that if marketing experts use sentiment analysis supported by artificial intelligence (AI), they will be able to gain deeper insights on their customers and adjust their business strategies accordingly.

Perks or burdens? Being “nearly (Im)mobile” as IT foreign professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan

ABSTRACT This paper investigates how Vietnamese IT professionals managed their daily work and family lives in Japan during the COVID-19 pandemic. Adapting the concept of “nearly mobile”, this study suggests a concept of “nearly (im)mobile”, which focuses on the tensions and opportunities between mobility and immobility in skilled migrants’ work and family life. Workers from Vietnam comprise the third-largest group of foreign IT professionals in Japan. Many worked remotely during the pandemic, like others in the IT industry. However, amidst the unmitigated expansion of remote work during the pandemic including among Japanese nationals, how these workers experienced this work style has remained under-researched. The findings are based on semi-structured online and in-person interview data from Vietnamese IT professionals. Similar to Japanese national employees, many Vietnamese professionals could work remotely. Moreover, the workforce needs in the labour market allowed some to change jobs. However, junior workers were forced to be immobile (at the office) or stay in on-the-job training, and some skilled workers were expected to commit to longer hours for online communication with staff in Vietnam. Additionally, border restrictions exposed the immobility of foreign IT professionals and family members in Japan and Vietnam, which prevented these professionals from receiving childcare support from their families. This paper argues that while Vietnamese IT professionals could be physically “nearly (im)mobile” by staying at home to work, they were simultaneously pressured to undergo “nearly (im)mobile” work practices in Japanese firms while constrained by managing their work and family lives.

A systematic literature review of online communication and promotion for sustainable tourism

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to systematically review the literature on how sustainable tourism is communicated online and who the main stakeholders involved in the communication are.Design/methodology/approachConducting a quantitative approach based on the systematic literature review, we searched five academic databases and examined 747 papers published from 2009 to 2022. A total of 87 articles were systematically analysed.FindingsSustainable online communication has mainly been explored through structured data rather than alternative ones. Different stakeholders have been studied about online sustainable communication. However, few studies have focused on the relationships between them as a unique and complex ecosystem of subjects.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first attempt to synthesise sustainable online communication and the stakeholders involved. It provides an in-depth understanding of central papers discussing the topic and offers insights for future research to foster growth in both research and practice. Overall, this research highlights the lack of research on the topic and its importance for a planned sustainability-oriented online communication strategy to raise awareness and inspire sustainable choices.

V-LTCS: Backbone exploration for Multimodal Misogynous Meme detection

Memes have become a fundamental part of online communication and humour, reflecting and shaping the culture of today’s digital age. The amplified Meme culture is inadvertently endorsing and propagating casual Misogyny. This study proposes V-LTCS (Vision- Language Transformer Combination Search), a framework that encompasses all possible combinations of the most fitting Text (i.e. BERT, ALBERT, and XLM-R) and Vision (i.e. Swin, ConvNeXt, and ViT) Transformer Models to determine the backbone architecture for identifying Memes that contains misogynistic contents. All feasible Vision-Language Transformer Model combinations obtained from the recognized optimal Text and Vision Transformer Models are evaluated on two (smaller and larger) datasets using varied standard metrics (viz. Accuracy, Precision, Recall, and F1-Score). The BERT-ViT combinational Transformer Model demonstrated its efficiency on both datasets, validating its ability to serve as a backbone architecture for all subsequent efforts to recognize Multimodal Misogynous Memes.

Synchronous and Asynchronous Online Communication for Developing Foreign Language Speaking Skills

Synchronous and Asynchronous Online Communication for Developing Foreign Language Speaking Skills

“Giving them the best information I could with whatever I had at hand”. Physicians' online health communication practices in a post-normal science context

This study describes US-based physicians' online public communication practices, particularly on the social media platform Twitter/X, during the COVID-19 pandemic. We draw on 28 semi-structured interviews to examine how they responded to the unique COVID-19 context with respect to each of the four features of post-normal science (PNS): facts uncertain, values in dispute, stakes high, and decisions urgent. Our analysis reveals that the pandemic shifted what, why, and how physicians used the platform, and with whom they aimed to communicate. We discuss the implications of these changes in their online communication habits, discourses, and representations around social media as a reaction to the context of PNS brought about by the pandemic.

DIGITAL LITERACY IN MODERN EDUCATION

This article examines the important role of digital literacy in contemporary educational systems. It highlights the importance of equipping students with the skills to effectively navigate and utilize digital technologies, which are increasingly integral to both personal and professional spheres. The article discusses various components of digital literacy, such as critical thinking, online communication, and information evaluation. It also addresses the challenges educators face in integrating digital literacy into curricula, including the digital divide and the need for teacher training. By underlining successful strategies and potential solutions for developing digital literacy presented by experts around the world, the article calls for necessity of digital literacy in education, aiming to prepare students for a rapidly evolving digital future.

Non-pharmacological interventions of traditional Chinese medicine in treating polycystic ovary syndrome: a group consensus

ObjectiveTo make a group consensus about non-pharmacological interventions of traditional Chinese medicine in treating polycystic ovary syndrome based on the previous guidelines, literature, and expert viewpoints. MethodsOrganized by Chinese Integrative Medicine & Traditional Chinese Medicine Academy, Chinese Maternal and Child Health Association, China, 29 experts from 18 Chinese provinces and 2 international experts, who specialize in gynecology, obstetrics, pediatrics, endocrinology, cardiovascular, psychology, reproductive genetics, nursing, acupuncture and tuina, traditional Chinese medicine, integrative medicine, and other disciplines, discussed and revised the recommendations one by one through in-person or online communication. Each recommendation was approved by ≥90% of the experts before it could be established. Main outcome measure(s)An optimal clinical regimen for addressing the requirements of women with PCOS and improving their quality of life. Result(s)The writing panel drafted the initial report, following a consensus process via adequate communication, which was then reviewed and revised by the consensus panel. This consensus provides 12 non-pharmacological interventions (including acupuncture, thumbtack needle, thread-embedding therapy, TEAS, AA, acupoint hot compress, cupping, acupressure, moxibustion, five elements music, aromatherapy, traditional Chinese exercises) for 8 phenotypes of PCOS, resulting in 34 items of clinical practice recommendations. Conclusion(s)The consensus provides 12 non-pharmacological interventions of traditional Chinese medicine for 8 phenotypes of PCOS, resulting in 34 items of clinical practice recommendations, which may be improved by more high-quality multicenter clinical trials.

The Impact Of Social Media On Consumer Behavior And Its Implications For Business Growth

Social media has had a significant influence on consumer behavior and corporate growth since its inception in the late 1990s. Mostly used websites like Facebook and Twitter, which transformed online communication and information sharing, were made possible by early platformes like Friendster and Six Degrees. Social media became even more accessible as smartphone usage increased in the 2010s, which fueled the growth of influencer culture and brand communities. Peer reviews and genuine voices are now trusted by consumers, which has shifted power away from brands and highlighted the value of real-time feedback and tailored marketing. Improved customer relationship management, better marketing techniques, and insightful data have all resulted from this evolution for firms. Through direct audience engagement, improved brand reputation management, and market exploration, businesses can propel growth in a highly competitive environment. The advanced function of social media in shaping consumer behavior and its ensuing effects on corporate success are examined in this article. Social media's ongoing development is changing how customers find, assess, and buy goods. Through an analysis of recent data and trends, this study demonstrates the ways in which social media influences brand loyalty, purchase decisions, and general consumer participation. According to the research, companies that successfully use social media can improve their market visibility, cultivate clientele, and increase revenues

Investigation of the effect of personality traits on type 2 diabetes risk and eating awareness in adults

AimsThe study was conducted with the aim of investigating the impact of personality traits on the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and eating awareness among adult individuals. MethodsIt was planned and carried out as a descriptive-correlational study. The data collection process of the study was conducted using online communication methods and using Google Forms. These forms included Patient Identification Form, the Big Five Inventory to examine personality traits, the Mindful Eating Questionnaire to assess the level of eating awareness, and The Finnish Type 2 Diabetes Risk Assessment Questionnaire to determine the risk of type 2 diabetes. A total of 390 individuals were included in the study. ResultsSignificant differences were found among the sub-dimensions of personality traits and the levels of eating awareness. Extraversion, agreeableness, and conscientiousness were found to affect eating awareness, but no effect of personality traits on the risk of developing type 2 diabetes was found. Increasing eating mindfulness was found to reduce the risk of diabetes. ConclusionsThe study provides evidence of the relationship between personality traits and eating awareness and highlights the importance of eating awareness in reducing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Advancing SDG 16 through political participation on social media: A Comparative Study of Social Capital between South Korea and the United States

The United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal 16 (SDG 16) aims to promote peaceful, inclusive societies and build effective, accountable institutions. Despite the growing influence of online media on political activities in the digital age and the increasing importance of achieving SDG 16 through political participation, there has been a lack of empirical research on this topic. This cross-cultural comparative study investigates the relationships among online communication, social capital, and political participation in South Korea and the United States. Online surveys were conducted in both countries, focusing on people's interest and trust in online communication, types of online social capital (bonding and bridging), and engagement in conventional and unconventional forms of political participation. Our findings underscore the pivotal role of social media as a platform for citizens to voice their political opinions and partake in democratic processes. We discovered a significant correlation between heightened interest and trust in online communication and increased political participation in both countries. This correlation is instrumental in achieving SDG 16.7, which advocates for inclusive and participatory decision-making. This study also highlights the nuanced differences in the relationship between online social capital and political participation. In South Korea, bridging online social capital is associated with unconventional political activities, whereas in the United States, bonding online social capital is linked to these forms of engagement. However, in both countries, participation in presidential elections is associated with bridging online social capital, providing a deeper understanding of the complex dynamics at play. The potential of social media to expand opportunities for citizens to participate in the political process and hold their governments accountable contributes to achieving SDG 16.6, which aims to develop effective, accountable, and transparent institutions. However, the study also serves as a reminder of the challenges posed by online polarization and misinformation. To fully realize the benefits of social media in promoting inclusive and sustainable social development, addressing these issues and fostering healthy online communities are essential.In conclusion, this study underscores the importance of promoting online communication and building robust online communities as key strategies for achieving SDG 16, engaging a wide range of stakeholders in the process of building a more equitable and sustainable future.

Contribution of Online Referral Systems to Health Services: Systematic Review

The online referral system (eReferral) is designed to improve waiting times and efficiency by standardizing information and online communication in the referral process. Online referral is the automation of the referral process in which appointments and other information regarding the outcome of a consultation are transferred between two or more healthcare providers. This study was designed to identify the implementation of online referrals at various levels of health care. This systematic review was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) statement. Of the 10 articles included in this review, 6 studies were conducted in the USA, 2 studies in Canada, and one each in the UK, and Saudi Arabia. The studies used a variety of designs, including Quasi-experimental (n=5), longitudinal (n=2), qualitative (n=1), and Research and Development (n=2). This study provides a clear picture of the use of an online referral system, starting from the work process, effectiveness, barriers, and development possibilities for a wider reach. This system is very helpful in easing the workload of specialist doctors and for patients who are referred users get the benefit of shorter waiting times/queues, making it possible to reduce medical costs further.

어린이집 교사가 인식한 디지털 역량의 중요도-실행도 분석

This study aimed to explore the contents for the education and training to enhance the digital competencies of childcare teachers through Importance Performance Analysis (IPA), which compares the importance of digital competencies perceived by childcare teachers with their own evaluation of their competencies, i.e., the level of performance. As a result of analyzing the survey data of 397 childcare teachers, it was confirmed that the respondents perceived their own competencies (performance) as relatively low compared to the importance of digital competencies. In addition, it was found that in order to foster the digital competencies of childcare teachers, it is an urgent task to include in education and training the production of digital content for teaching and learning of young children, the creation of a digital environment suitable for young children, the management of SNS information, and the collection and analysis of digital data. Tasks that require gradual improvement include a positive attitude toward the production of digital content, the utilization and reconstruction of digital content, the evaluation of virtual/augmented reality content suitable for young children, the use of online communication platforms, the ethical awareness of digital works and communication, the understanding of changes in the digital society, and efforts to foster digital competencies. Finally, it was suggested that the current status and needs of digital competencies of childcare teachers should be specifically reflected when organizing and operating digital education and training programs for the teachers.

Identification of interventions to improve patient experienced quality of care in transitions between healthcare settings: a scoping review

BackgroundTransitions in healthcare settings can be a challenge for patients and they express a need for guidance and support to cope with these transitions. The aim of this scoping review was to investigate if interventions can improve patients’ experiences when transitioning between healthcare settings.MethodsThis review was conducted following the Johanna Briggs Institute’s methods and reported according to the PRISMA-ScR Checklist. Included articles were published and peer-reviewed, and reported qualitative and quantitative findings on patient experiences with interventions when transitioning between healthcare settings. The search was conducted in May 2024 in Medline Ovid, Embase Ovid, and Cinahl.ResultsTwenty-three studies were included. Factors extracted from the studies were: author(s), year of publication, country of origin, study design, theoretical methods, population description, intervention, phenomena of interest(s), and key findings. There has been an increase in published studies on the subject in the last few years, and most of the included studies originated from Western countries. Most studies were quantitative, primarily RCTs, and the theoretical methods were thus mainly statistical analysis. The study populations were found to be heterogeneous. The interventions were categorized: care coordinator, program, integrated care, online communication platform, coaching, discharge care plan, and miscellaneous interventions.ConclusionsOverall, interventions were found to improve the patient experience. Centralization of healthcare has increased the number of transitions, and patients express that the coordination of healthcare transitions can be improved. This review’s findings should be used alongside other research on interventions’ effect on factors like hospital readmissions and mortality to determine the optimal intervention to implement.

The Role of Digital Online Communication, Mobile Social Media, Word of Mouth on Customer Loyalty at Tindo Store

The Role of Digital Online Communication, Mobile Social Media, Word of Mouth on Customer Loyalty at Tindo Store