Digital Communication Platforms Research Articles

‘We just want to be Heard!’ Dataveillance and Location Data – Do South Africans Care?

People’s perceptions of digital communication platforms as related to dataveillance, and location data are examined in order to offer suggestions for increasing regulatory strength on the part of the government. Qualitative data collected from 65 participants through unstructured interviews were analysed. The analysis reveals that most of the participants are concerned about what the technology companies do with data collected without their consent. However, because of the numerous advantages digital platforms offer, they are not bothered about the technology companies’ use of the data collected without their consent. The same applies to location data. Recommendations are offered that could help the South African government strengthen its regulatory framework.

Improvement of business processes of subjects of the agro-industrial complex through a digital platform

This article presents the results of a research. It is aimed to investigate the business processes of the key participants of the projected digital platform of the agroindustrial complex. Moreover, the authors assess the potential for their optimization during the transition to the application of a digital communication platform. The techniques of analysis and synthesis, system and process approaches, and the IDEF3 method are used. The authors have previously formed ontological and cognitive models of the agro-industrial complex. This paper verifies the research hypothesis concerning the possibility of improving individual business processes of management entities while applying the tools of a digital communication platform. In order to do this, business processes are displayed on the example of a manufacturer of agricultural products in animal husbandry. We have identified a number of business processes in the category of providing, which can be improved with the use of a digital industry platform of the agro-industrial complex.

IMG education program – A community of practice framework for IMGs and clinical observers

International Medical Graduates (IMGs) are faced with unique educational needs and challenges during transition to Australian healthcare setting. Although IMGs’ issues have been well identified in the literature, limited interventions were done to overcome the gaps. The aim of this study is to provide a platform of learning and to improve confidence in IMGs to work more competently and independently in Australian healthcare system. At Northern Health we applied the community of practice (CoP) framework to establish an education program for IMGs and Clinical Observers. Our findings show that ‘IMG Education Program’ is highly regarded by IMGs and clinical observers; 87% are satisfied with IMG education sessions and 93.5% regard digital communication platforms highly. This program provides the opportunity for IMG JMOs and Observers to engage with their community; share information, improve skills, build relationships and develop a repertoire of shared resources to enable a smoother transition to the Australian medical workforce.

Communication patterns in engineering enterprise social networks: an exploratory analysis using short text topic modelling

Abstract Enterprise social network messaging sites are becoming increasingly popular for team communication in engineering and product design. These digital communication platforms capture detailed messages between members of the design team and are an appealing data set for researchers who seek to better understand communication in design. This exploratory study investigates whether we can use enterprise social network messages to model communication patterns throughout the product design process. We apply short text topic modelling (STTM) to a data set comprising 250,000 messages sent by 32 teams enrolled in a 3-month intensive product design course. Many researchers describe the engineering design process as a series of convergent and divergent thinking stages, such as the popular double diamond model, and we use this theory as a case study in this work. Quantitative and qualitative analysis of STTM results reveals several trends, such as it is indeed possible to see evidence of cyclical convergence and divergence of topics in team communication; within the convergence–divergence pattern, strong teams have fewer topics in their topic models than weaker teams; and teams show characteristics of product, project, course, and other themes within each topic. We provide evidence that the analysis of enterprise social networking messages, with advanced topic modelling techniques, can uncover insights into design processes and can identify the communication patterns of successful teams.

RETHINKING Science Communication Education and Training: Towards a Competence Model for Science Communication

Science communication is at a pivotal stage in its development due to the emergence of digital communication platforms that are not only presenting new opportunities but are also leading to new challenges. In this context, science communicators, who can include scientists, researchers, curators, journalists and other types of content producer, may require new types of preparation and support to engage with multiple audiences, across multiple channels. Despite the increasing need for adequate science communication training, research in the field is sparse and oftentimes refers to single case studies, calling for more comprehensive perspectives on what is needed and what is offered to equip future science communicators with relevant competences to cope with the changing science communication ecosystem. Against this backdrop, this paper takes two approaches, drawing on data from RETHINK, a European project comprising seven countries, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Serbia, Sweden and the United Kingdom. First, we report on findings from a questionnaire survey completed by 459 science communicators across the seven countries, focusing on how science communicators develop their communication skills, the types of training they have received and the types of training they would like to undertake. Second, we assess exploratory data collected from 13 different science communication degree programs regarding how they seek to embed and consider issues of digital transformation within their curricula. On the basis of both analyses, we will introduce ideas for a competence framework that addresses not only working knowledge and skills but also professional (self-)reflection and the overall mindset and worldviews of students, whilst offering capacity for increased consideration of the role of digital transformation.

Digital networks: Elements of a theoretical framework

The proliferation of new, digital communications technologies and platforms over the past few decades has transformed the way humans relate to one another. In turn, there has been an explosion of scientific research using data on these interactions to better understand how social networks emerge and evolve. Curiously, this agenda has proceeded with little theoretical foundation—typically assuming digital and face-to-face ties operate the same way. The purpose of this article is to interrogate this assumption: I identify when, how, and to what consequence digital networks are similar to and different from other kinds of social networks and thereby attempt to strengthen the available theoretical scaffolding for this important and rapidly growing body of work.

Perceptions and Challenges Regarding Cyberbullying during the Covid-19 Pandemic

The increased use of the Internet and digital communication platforms has facilitated the emergence and development of the phenomenon known in the literature as cyberbullying. This research aims to examine the perception of the interviewees about the phenomenon of cyberbullying in the period marked by the Covid 19 pandemic. In this research the method of sociological survey based on questionnaire was used. The research was attended by 541 people, mostly young people (83.5% of the interviewees are under 30 years old). The findings showed that the interviewees know to a large extent the phenomenon of cyberbullying; respondents believe that this phenomenon spread during the Covid 19 pandemic; half of those surveyed witnessed the phenomenon of cyberbullying, while 44.7% say they know people who have been victims of cyberbullying. The present study analyzes the way in which the interviewees position themselves in relation to different acts specific to cyberbullying. The study also highlights the opinions of the interviewees on effective action strategies to combat cyberbullying.

Rehabilitation care planning on a digital communication platform for patients with a work disability: protocol for the RehaPro-SERVE feasibility study

BackgroundLong-term disability to work is a risk factor for a permanent reduction in income. Rehabilitation care can support people to return to work. In Germany, rehabilitation care to return to work is mostly provided in specialised clinics. The aim of the Rehapro-SERVE study is to reduce work disability days by facilitating rehabilitation care planning using a digital communication platform. To investigate the feasibility, we will test the implementation of the digital platform and evaluate the study procedures. The Rehapro-SERVE study is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (BMAS) (grant number: 661R0053K1).MethodThe feasibility study includes a two-armed unblinded block randomised controlled study (RCT) without follow-up assessments as well as an interview study. Participants for the RCT (n = 16) are primary care patients with a minimum of 4 weeks of absence from work due to musculoskeletal, oncological or psychological conditions and at high risk of early retirement. Eligibility criteria are age 40 to 60 years; minimum of 4 weeks continuous sick leave before recruitment due to musculoskeletal, mental health or oncological conditions; and being at high risk of early retirement. Patients will be recruited from 8 primary care practices in urban and rural areas in Hesse, Germany. Following baseline assessments, patients will be randomised to either digitalised care planning (treatment) or a control group. The digitalised care planning platform will include the patients’ primary care physicians, jobcentres and public health physicians to decide on a tailored return-to-work programme. The collaboration will be supported by a case administrator and, if considered beneficial, a social worker for the patient. An interview study will evaluate the acceptability of the study procedures and the intervention.DiscussionThe use of a digital communication platform enables stakeholders to exchange information and discuss rehabilitation care planning in a timely fashion. The results of the feasibility study will lead to the adaptation of study procedures for the main study. The results will support the design and conduct of similar studies including digital applications in primary care or across different healthcare settings.Trial registrationDRKS- German Clinical Trials Register, DRKS00024207. Registered on 22 March 2021

A New Framework for Examining Impact of Neurodiversity in Couples in Intimate Relationships

Background: Many health professionals have a limited understanding of autism and little to no experience working with neurodiverse (ND) couples. Applying traditional practice without an informed approach to assist ND couples is bound to fail. Purpose: Whether limited executive functioning skills, typical of many ND people, may be overcome using technology that provides social interactions, without the extreme stressors of in-person interactions. Methodology: This article examines a new systemic framework and related practice for navigating the impact of neurodiversity in couples. A discourse analysis of data gathered from interactions with ND clients was performed and the findings are reported. Conclusions: Social norms contribute to considerable anxiety, worry, fear, and difficulties such as the inability to interpret meaning, read nonverbal communications. An individual's ability to consider others’ perspectives increases the likelihood of relational success. Digital communication platforms facilitated social interactions among those diagnosed with high functioning autism spectrum disorder. Implications: A new framework that incorporates structural plasticity- and technology-based relational tools in resources offered to aid social interactions, and more specifically, romantic relationships for ND individuals may be warranted, considering the unmet needs that exist in society.

Importance of Digital Communication in Adolescents’ Development: Theoretical and Empirical Advancements in the Last Decade

The past decade saw a sharp increase in the use of smartphones and digital communication platforms. This manuscript reviews advancements in the study of digital communication and adolescent development over the last decade. We highlight theoretical models that seek to explain the power of digital media in adolescents' lives. We then examine research conducted over the last decade on five aspects of digital media: (1) potential to contribute to adolescent development, (2) associations with mental health, (3) differential impact of active versus passive social media use, (4) cyberbullying, and (5) sexting. We conclude with a discussion of potential opportunities and challenges for studying the role of digital communication in adolescents' development during the coming decade.

Soft power struggles: A diasporic perspective on the competing ideologies and innovative practices regarding the Chinese writing system

AbstractThis critical essay aims to assess the linguistic ideologies regarding the Chinese writing system by locating them in historical and diasporic contexts and the new digital communication space. Drawing data from a long‐term and ongoing digital ethnography of online communication and creative Sinographs in the global Chinese diaspora, it analyses how multilingual Chinese language users manipulate the affordances of the writing system in combination with the affordances of new, digital communication platforms to challenge the dominant language ideologies and policies, to articulate a new sense of transnationalism, and to participate in social activism. It argues that the diasporic perspective is not simply a context for the study of language variation and change but a crucial space for radical new thinking and actions that challenge orthodoxies of various kinds and enables cultural flow as well as social participation at a global scale.

Government Communication Strategies Through Social Media During 'COVID-19' Pandemic

The emerging Coronavirus 'COVID-19' pandemic impact the performance and communication practices of governments around the world. The pandemic imposed a new reality, as all government sectors witnessed a complete transformation in the work systems and practices in a way that the world had never seen before. Because of social distancing, changing lifestyle and quality of life, and adopting a remote work system, the importance of using communication and information technology (ICT), especially social networks and smart applications, has increased in communicating with different stakeholders and accomplishing various tasks and goals. Therefore, governments shift towards the digital era with all their tools and apply them effectively to achieve the strategic goals and serve the state's vision through its governmental institutions in various fields. In this context, various government institutions in the UAE, including police institutions, have relied on social media and digital communication platforms, in their response to this pandemic. Recently, the police institutions rely on social media networks as a basic communication tool due to its effectiveness in disseminating information quickly and easily, its interactivity with the target audience, its role in awareness during pandemic, its role in stop rumors, spreading the security culture, spreading the spirit of citizenship and belonging, and other goals of Government communication. From this standpoint, this study mainly aimed at analyzing government communication practices of the Ajman Police during the pandemic in its various stages, through its official account on Instagram. The study relied on the survey method, and uses a quantitative and qualitative analysis of the content of the official account during the period from (mid-February to mid-June 2020), as that period witnessed the initial wave of the pandemic. The results of the analytical study showed the effectiveness of the digital practices of the Ajman Police official account on "Instagram" through a diversity of goals, which were appropriate to the circumstances under the 'COVID–19' pandemic. The "Ajman Police" was keen to apply the social responsibility role towards the whole society through informative and advisory practices to raise public awareness to stop the dissemination of the pandemic. The posts also motivated its followers to use digital services through the smart application, by explaining how to use it with pictures and videos, additionally, the posts focused on reassuring the public by highlighting the Ajman Police capabilities and its excellent readiness in dealing with this pandemic. The researchers summarized many recommendations to enhance the effectiveness of government communication practices, especially in the security sector, including the following: Paying attention to studies and periodic reports on followers’ interaction through social media to take the appropriate communication decisions and to design appropriate policy and plan for publications on official account through social media. Finally, the researchers suggested six effective government communication concepts in their model, to enhance the government communication practices through social media networks, which consists of: (corporate identity, content management team, content management, interactivity, integration, continuous development).

Responses to COVID-19 in Higher Education: Students’ Learning Experience Using Microsoft Teams versus Social Network Sites

The long-lasting impact of COVID-19 forced governments to continue with distance learning. Due to the absence of a formal digital learning management system (DLMS), public universities in many countries adopted social network sites (SNSs), e.g., Facebook and WhatsApp, and/or digital communication platforms, e.g., Microsoft (MS) Teams and Zoom for teaching and learning. This research investigates students’ learning experiences and responses to course/s incorporating SNSs and MS Teams as a sole distance learning platform during COVID-19. An online, pre-tested, questionnaire was used, directed at bachelor students in public institutions in Egypt, offering tourism and hotel programs, who received their courses using both SNSs and MS Teams. The results showed that the usage of both SNSs and MS Teams helped students to access information and learning resources, have good impact on their knowledge construction and critical refection, and report overall positive learning experience. The results of paired-samples t-test showed statistically significant differences between students’ experiences of course/s incorporating SNSs and MS Teams. However, students recorded limited support by their educators and peers and low participation in course activities that adopted MS Teams. They also reported poor assessment and feedback with course/s that incorporated SNSs. Hence, several implications for scholars, policymakers, and educators were presented for achieving better learning experience and to cope with the pandemic or similar crises, especially in universities with poor infrastructure, including unavailability of DLMS.

Sharing personal experiences and online consumer engagement: A case study of Glossier

ABSTRACT Social media has become influential in the fashion and beauty marketplace where digital communication centers around consumer interests in products and brands. This case study examines how sharing of personal experiences on the digital communication platforms of the Glossier beauty brand influences consumer engagement in an online brand community. In-depth interviews of thirteen consumers of the Glossier brand and its social media channels were conducted. The qualitative method allows the researchers to capture the rich context of the consumer experience and the social reality of online community members through their own words. This case study offers insight into how social media communication, moving beyond simple product reviews, allows a direct-to-consumer brand to effectively leverage the personal experiences of their consumers as a catalyst for learning, advocating for the brand, co-developing the brand, and building consumer and brand relationships. A new perspective from Brodie et al.’sconsumer engagement model highlights key interrelated processes that evolve from the sharing of consumer experiences and adding value to building a robust brand community.

Covid-19 Sürecinde Okul Müdürlerinin İletişim Sürecindeki Etkililiği ile Öğretmenlerin Psikolojik Sermaye Düzeylerinin İlişkisi

Purpose: This study was conducted to determine the relationship between the effectiveness of school principals in the communication process and the psychological capital of teachers. Design/Methodology/Approach: The research was conducted in relational research design which is one of the quantitative research approaches. The universe of the study consists of primary, secondary, and high school teachers in Güngören district of Istanbul province. The stratified sampling method was determined as the sampling method and the sample consisted of 353 participants. The Scale of Effectiveness of School Principals in the Communication Process and the Short Form of the Psychological Capital Scale were used as data collection tools. The analysis of the data was executed with a well-known computer program. Findings: Correlation analysis was conducted to determine the relationship between the two variables of the study, and as a result of the research, a moderate relationship was found between the effectiveness of school principals in the communication process and the psychological capital of teachers. As a result of this, regression analysis was made and it was determined that the effectiveness of school principals in the communication process explained 13% of teachers' psychological capital. Highlights: As a result of the research, it was recommended to organize practical training for school principals and teachers on the use of digital communication platforms as a result of the pandemic, and to allocate time for psychological capital and communication process during the seminar periods.

Sense of Belonging and the Use of Social Digital Communication Platform: Nursing Staff Comparison between Pre and During COVID-19

In recent years use of digital social networks in the workplace has become the popular mode of team communications. The widespread use of different methods of interpersonal interaction and the availability of the user at any time and in any place have made the boundaries between the personal space and the professional space distorted. Aim: To investigate nurses’ perceptions of the use of digital application communication, level of belonging and stress before and during COVID-19 pandemic. Design: Quasi-experimental, prospective convenience sample correlational study. Method: Team cohesiveness, level of Belongingness and demographic questionnaire was distributed to five hospital departments in pre and during COVID-19 pandemic. Results: A total 178 nurses (83.3% females), average age 34.40 y/o; a significant positive correlation found between nurse seniority and level belongingness (β=.28, p<.01). Significant differences were found between during COVID-19 and pre-pandemic group in using digital platform for solving professional problems (χ² (1) = 7.74, p<.01). In addition, the more the respondents perceived the content of the digital application group for sharing personal experiences the greater their sense of belonging (β = .19, p=.03). Conclusion: This study examines nurses’ digital communication and sharing, deliberation, team cohesiveness and information exchange. The results demonstrate nurses’ interpersonal professional relationships expressed in this digital application as well comparison between two periods. The period of “normal” activity and during pandemic.

Designing Player Intent through “Playful” Interaction

Designing Player Intent through “Playful” Interaction

Adaptive change in simulation education: Comparison of effectiveness of a communication skill curriculum on death notification using in person methods versus a digital communication platform.

Mandates to social distance and "shelter in place" during the COVID-19 pandemic necessitated the exploration of new academic content delivery methods. Digital communication platforms (DCP; e.g., Zoom) were widely used to facilitate content delivery, yet little is known about DCP's capacity or effectiveness, especially for simulation. The objective was to compare the experience, outcomes, and resources required to implement a simulation-based communication skill curriculum on death notification to a cohort of learners using in-person versus DCP delivery of the same content. We used the GRIEV_ING mnemonic to train students in death notification techniques either in person or utilizing a DCP. For all learners, three measures were collected: knowledge, confidence, and performance. Individual learners completed knowledge and confidence assessments pre- and postintervention. All performance assessments were completed by standardized patients (SPs) in real time. Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used to identify differences in individual and between-group performances. Thirty-four learners participated (N=34), 22 in person and 12 via DCP. There was a statistically significant improvement in both groups for all three measures: knowledge, confidence, and performance. Between-group comparisons revealed a difference in pretest confidence but no differences between groups in knowledge or performance. More preparation and prior planning were required to set up the DCP environment than the in-person event. The in-person and DCP delivery of death notification training were comparable in their ability to improve individual knowledge, confidence, and performance. Additional preparation time, training, and practice with DCPs may be required for SPs, faculty, and learners less familiar with this technology.

Renouvellement des formes langagières dans la communication sociale sur Twitter

With the increasing development of social communication on social media networks, new linguistic forms have emerged thanks to the technological devices offered by digital platforms, which can be regarded as open spaces characterised by hypertextuality and polysemioticity. This research aims to analyse the typical features of the social media Twitter which is largely used by news media professionals and by political leaders for their official communication. As a sociotechnical digital communication platform, Twitter proves to be the most appropriate broadcast medium for live news since it tends to reduce social and geographical distances between Twitter users who can interact with each other by sending informal messages. Eventually, Twitter can often be viewed as the first social media network allowing transmedial quotations that circulate on other social networks.

Renouvellement des formes langagières dans la communication sociale sur Twitter

With the increasing development of social communication on social media networks, new linguistic forms have emerged thanks to the technological devices offered by digital platforms, which can be regarded as open spaces characterised by hypertextuality and polysemioticity. This research aims to analyse the typical features of the social media Twitter which is largely used by news media professionals and by political leaders for their official communication. As a sociotechnical digital communication platform, Twitter proves to be the most appropriate broadcast medium for live news since it tends to reduce social and geographical distances between Twitter users who can interact with each other by sending informal messages. Eventually, Twitter can often be viewed as the first social media network allowing transmedial quotations that circulate on other social networks.