Invitation Messages Research Articles

Join us for a greener future: Understanding the role of message framing in CER communication

Companies increasingly engage in Corporate Environmental Responsibility (CER) activities, aiming to enhance positive brand attitudes. To facilitate this objective, they frequently employ social media platforms to share CER messages and invite consumer participation in these initiatives. This research aims to investigate how the framing of messages influences the effectiveness of CER messages that involve consumer participation (or not). A secondary data analysis using data from Twitter and two scenario-simulated experiments provide converging evidence. Namely, when the CER message on social media does not involve consumer participation invitation, the concrete and coalition messages lead to positive brand attitudes. In contrast, when the CER message on social media involves consumer participation invitation, the abstract and individual messages positively influence brand attitudes. These effects are driven by perceived motive. Our research provides important insights for brand managers aiming to use CER to improve brand performance.

Vaccination invitations sent by warm and competent medical professionals disclosing risks and benefits increase trust and booking intention and reduce inequalities between ethnic groups.

We aim to identify vaccination invitations that foster trust and improve vaccination uptake overall, especially among ethnic minority groups who are more at risk from coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and less likely to be vaccinated. In a preregistered 4 × 4 mixed-design experiment, we manipulated how much risk-benefit information the message included within-subjects and the message source between-subjects (N = 4,038 U.K. and U.S. participants, 50% ethnic minority). Participants read four vaccine invitations that varied in vaccination risk-benefit information (randomized order): control (no information), benefits only, risk and benefit, and risk and benefit that mentions vulnerable groups. The messages were sent by one of four sources (random allocation): control (health institution), medical professional (unnamed), warm and competent medical professional (unnamed), and named warm and competent medical professional (Sanjay/Lamar). Participants assessed how much they trusted the message and how likely they would be to book their vaccination appointment. Information about vaccination benefits and risks increased trust, especially among ethnic minority groups-for whom the effect replicated within each group. Trust also increased when the message was sent by a warm and competent medical professional relative to a health institution, but the importance of the source mattered less when more information was shared. Our research demonstrates the positive impact of outlining the benefits and disclosing the risks of COVID vaccines in vaccination invitation messages. Having a warm and competent medical professional source can also increase trust, especially where the message is limited in scope. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

A social bot in support of crisis communication: 10-years of @LastQuake experience on Twitter

Social media such as Facebook or Twitter are at present considered part of the communication systems of many seismological institutes, including the European–Mediterranean Seismological Center (EMSC). Since 2012, the EMSC has been operating a hybrid Twitter system named @LastQuake comprising a bot for rapid information on global felt earthquakes and their effects, which is complemented by manual moderation that provides quasi-systematic and rapid answers to users' questions, especially after damaging earthquakes and earthquake sequences. The 2022 release of @LastQuake transcends a mere alert service and possessess additional capabilities, including fighting against misinformation and enhancing earthquake risk awareness and preparedness by exploiting the teachable moments opened by widely felt but non-damaging earthquakes. @LastQuake significantly increases the visibility and audience of the European–Mediterranean Seismological Center services, even in regions where its smartphone application (app) and websites are well known. It also contributes to increasing the volume of crowdsourced eyewitness observations that are collected, notably through the publication of rapid non-seismic-wave-based detections, as well as by reaching out to Twitter users who post about felt experiences through individual invitation messages. Although its impact, especially in raising awareness and preparedness is difficult to evaluate, @LastQuake efficiently supports crisis communication after large earthquakes and receives positive feedback from users for satisfying identified information needs of eyewitnesses automatically and in a timely manner. This study shares the experience gained over the last 10 years of operating the bot, presents the impact of users' feedback on empirically driving its evolution, and discusses the ways by which we can move toward a more data-driven assessment of its impact.

I Will Get a Reward, Too: When Disclosing the Referrer Reward Increases Referring

Incentivized customer referral programs (e.g., “Refer a friend, reward yourself!”) are prevalent, yet they usually have low referring rates. One reason, the authors suggest, is that existing customers (referrers) view incentivized referring as an exchange activity that feels incompatible with their communal relationship with friends (referees), resulting in a psychological barrier (i.e., negative feelings such as discomfort, conflict, guilt, etc.). In seven studies (five preregistered, two in the field; N = 2,060) and one preregistered supplemental study (N = 176), the authors propose and find that disclosing the referrer reward in the invitation message—a not yet widely adopted method—can promote referring by making the referring action seem more compatible with communal norms and reducing the experienced psychological barrier. They also document the potential of disclosing the referrer reward on increasing acceptance, conversion, and sales. The authors further identify three theoretically and practically relevant boundary conditions: (1) the relative reward amount (whether the referrer reward is greater than, equal to, or less than the referee reward), (2) the stated source of the referrer reward (the company or the referee's spending), and (3) the framing of the referral opportunity (whether it is already framed as a communal activity). The authors conclude by discussing the theoretical and practical implications.

"Lock to Live" for firearm and medication safety: Feasibility and acceptability of a suicide prevention tool in a learning healthcare system.

ObjectiveFew patients with suicide risk are counseled on lethal means safety by health providers. This study tested the feasibility of different delivery methods for Lock to Live (L2L), a web-based decision aid of safe storage options for firearms and medications.MethodsPatients reporting suicide ideation on the PHQ9 depression screener during outpatient health visits were included. Invitation messages to visit L2L were sent via combinations of email, text, Electronic Health Record (EHR) message, mailed letter, or provider referral, followed by a survey about storage behavior and acceptability. Provider interviews evaluated logistical considerations and acceptability.ResultsThe population-based method reached 2,729 patients and the best method (EHR message plus 2 email reminders) had 11% uptake (L2L visitation rate). Provider referral had small reach (14 patients) and 100% uptake (all visited). Provider interviews identified several strategies to promote uptake including: EHR reminders, provider training, quality metrics with accountability, a clearly communicated lethal means screening/counseling policy, and strong organizational leadership support.ConclusionDespite the low uptake for population-based (11%), far more patients with suicide risk were engaged in the L2L tool through population-based outreach than provider-referral over the same time frame.

MATCHING PRIVATE ACCOMMODATIONS WITH UNFAMILIAR TOURISTS: THE PERSPECTIVE FROM ALTRUISM AND SOCIAL IDENTITY

Purpose - The purpose of this study is to examine how online travel communities and host benevolence influence Couchsurfer behavior. We formulated a model of Couchsurfers’ behavioral intentions from the perspectives of trust, social identity theory, and altruism. Design/methodology/approach - Empirical data were collected from members of online travel communities. Participants were required to complete an online survey program developed using the SURVEYCAKE website (https://www.surveycake.com/), via invitation message. The invitation information stated the purpose of the study and provided a hyperlink to the digital survey form. We sent out the invitations, and 423 were returned completed. Findings - Community engagement is an enzyme catalyst between Couchsurfers and online travel communities. Online travel communities that provide an enjoyable experience could increase the satisfaction of Couchsurfers, who tend to spend more time browsing and interacting with interesting online travel communities. Research limitations/implications - Research will discuss the travel purpose of Couchsurfers and may better understand the considerations of hosts willing to provide lodging in future research. Practical implications - The operator of online travel communities should collect tacit knowledge and transform it into useful tourism information that can benefit both online travel communities and Couchsurfers. Originality/value - The results of this study provide additional evidence of altruism in the study of tourism behavior and offer new perspectives on behavior in virtual communities

Investigation of users' experiences for online access to their electronic health records in Japan.

The solution of sharing electronic health records (EHR) with patients has the potential to improve patients' understanding and remembering of their health information. We call this solution the patient open-EHR. In Japan, this solution is not yet widespread, and experiences of actual users are not known. Our aim is to explore the needs and satisfaction of patients who are actually using one patient open-EHR system in Japan that allows registered patients online access to part of their EHR. A cross-sectional study was done using an online questionnaire. Patients registered with our patient open-EHR system were invited to participate by posting an invitation message on the system login page and sending them invitation emails. We investigated their needs regarding the system and their views regarding the system's ability to improve their understanding, remembering, and other perspectives. Answers from 95 patients, collected between August 10 and October 20, 2019 were analyzed. The need to further understand and remember the information received from the doctor was among the top four reasons behind using the system. However, only 48% of patients agreed that the system improved their remembering and 68% agreed that it improved their understanding. Thirty-seven percent of respondents expressed dissatisfaction with access to only blood test results and prescriptions. Despite this dissatisfaction, respondents were positive about the future of the system. Hospitals need to recognize the needs of patients and to consider them when providing patient open-EHR service. The EHR has potential not only for hospitals but also for patients.

Increasing rates of impulsive online shopping on tourism websites

Purpose Customers who engage in impulsive online shopping make immediate, unplanned and ill-thought-out purchases online. The purpose of this paper is to present a model to illustrate how website quality (moderated by hedonic value) influences impulsive shopping behaviors in the context of online tourism. Design/methodology/approach The model and hypotheses presented here were tested by structural equation modeling. Empirical data were collected by conducting a questionnaire survey, in total, 3,000 invitation messages were mailed to the members of the two travel communities (1,500 invitation messages for each one), of which, 402 were returned completed (a return rate of 13.4 percent). Findings Visually appealing websites are more likely to attract customer attention and illicit pleasurable emotional responses. In addition, effective tourism websites also maintain good service quality and ensure accuracy of information. Finally, good functional benefits can help customers reduce the time and effort spent searching for a specific service and can also serve as a stimulus triggering impulse buying. Research limitations/implications This study used a reliable multidimensional measure of factors that influence the relational benefit of initiators and buyers to help elucidate which factors encourage impulsive online shopping. From a theoretical perspective, the authors determined that website quality is positively associated with functional benefits, and thereby influences impulsive shopping behaviors; in addition, the functional benefits conferred by websites have a strong and direct influence on impulsive shopping behavior. However, this effect is moderated by hedonic value. Practical implications Online tourism retailers should continually seek to enhance this function because it is the primary motivation behind customer use of online shopping websites. Effective tourism websites also maintain good service quality and ensure accuracy of information. Finally, navigation systems should be designed to meet the needs of new users, for example by offering help pages that address a variety of topics. Therefore, tourism websites should feature an adequate number of images, a colorful design, and well-described services and products. Originality/value In recent years, the popularity of online shopping websites has continued to rise. In seeking to elucidate impulsive online shopping behaviors, this study focused on online-to-offline applications, the uses-and-gratifications perspective and service-dominant logic. The authors also discussed the important influence of website quality on impulse buying and how this is moderated by hedonic value. The research model presented in this study provides a reliable instrument to operationalize key constructs in the analysis of impulsive shopping behavior and has important implications for the online tourism industry.

Subarea tree routing algorithm based infrastructure for mobile ad-hoc networks

Ad hoc networks are self-organizing and multi-hop networks for data communication. Subarea Tree Routing (STR) has used for multi-hop networks for network division into various subareas. The main objective of this paper is creating a dynamic sub-area tree infrastructure for Mobile Ad hoc Networks (MANET). The proposed architecture uses the hierarchical procedure to divide the whole network into many geographical sub-area networks. In addition, each sub-area has a selected root node, we can configure the root node manually due to small ad hoc network and uses auto-discovery procedure to select the roots for large networks. The root node is located at the center of sub-area with hop level zero. The root function is used to update the routing table and root table for sub-area. After sub-area created any interconnected node detects a new inefficient node for sending the invitation message to join the sub-area tree. In the same sub-area, proactive routing protocols are used between the sub-area root node and its interconnect nodes and reactive routing protocols are used between all sub-areas root nodes. The new sub-area tree provides an infrastructure to avoid the flooding procedures. Routing in the sub-area tree avoids the transmission collision to optimize the ad-hoc networks. Â

An Examination of the Role of Funny Reminders and Embedded Survey Items on Response Rate

Web surveys provide researchers a platform to gather data in an inclusive manner and from a global audience. However, web surveys typically suffer from low response rates. To combat this issue, numerous studies have investigated how invitation messaging can improve response rates. A few studies have investigated embedding the first survey item in the e-mail invitation message and how adding humor to a reminder message might improve response rates. Our study adopted a 2 (invitation message embedded item vs. not) × 2 (reminder message embedded item vs. not) × 2 (humorous reminder message vs. not) study design. Results showed that among participants who only received the initial invitation, embedding a survey item in that invitation did not enhance completion rates. However, completion and break-off rates, compared to nonresponse, increased when participants received a survey item embedded in their reminder. Further, participants who received a humorous reminder were more likely to complete the survey than to break off. No interaction effects between the embedded item in the reminder message and the humorous tone of the reminder message emerged. Implications for invitation design are discussed.

Consumers’ responses to invitations to write online reviews

PurposeThe main purpose of the current research is to investigate the effectiveness of messages sent out by firms inviting customers to write online reviews. The joint effect of message framing, power and individuals’ need for status (NFS) on consumers’ intentions to write a review was examined.Design/methodology/approachThis study uses a 2 (message framing: self-vs other-focused) × 2 (power state: high vs low) × 2 (NFS: high vs low) factorial design with message framing being manipulated and power and NFS being measured.FindingsThe results show that customers low in power are more likely to be persuaded by a message focused on others (vs self), and customers high in power show similar levels of behavioral intention regardless of message framing. Furthermore, this effect is significant only among those with a high (vs low) NFS.Practical implicationsHospitality practitioners may consider customizing the invitation message based on target consumers’ individual traits. They may either prime consumers’ status seeking intentions and/or sense of power, or gain such insights through outside marketing research companies. Depending on the characteristics of the recipients, companies can choose either a self-focused or an other-focused message to increase its persuasiveness.Originality/valueThis is one of the first studies examining the joint effect of message framing, power and NFS on consumers’ willingness to write online reviews.

Are Embedded Survey Items the Solution to Low Web Survey Response Rates? An Investigation of the Interaction Between Embedded Survey Items and Time of Survey Administration.

Web surveys provide survey researchers an opportunity to survey and gather data in an inclusive manner and from a global audience. However, Web surveys typically suffer from low response rates. To combat this issue, numerous studies have investigated how invitation messaging can improve responses. There is only one study, to our knowledge, that has studied the impact on response rates of embedding the first survey item in the email invitation message. Furthermore, no studies, to our knowledge, have investigated whether such an email invitation would augment the response rates during time periods that are less salient to the population under investigation. Our study tested a 2 (invitation message) x 6 (the day the invitation was sent) experimental design. The results show individuals who received the email invitation with the embedded survey item were more than two times more likely to start the survey and almost one-and-a-half times more likely to complete the survey than those who only received the traditional email invitation. Providing the embedded invitation improved response rates on test days more so than on days that were less salient to the respondents. Practical implications and suggestions for future research are discussed.

The Effect of Personal Characteristics, Perceived Threat, Efficacy and Breast Cancer Anxiety on Breast Cancer Screening Activation.

In order to activate women to participate in breast cancer screening programs, a good understanding is needed of the personal characteristics that influence how women can be activated to search for more information, consult friends and doctors, and participate in breast cancer screening programs. In the current study, we investigate the effect of six personal characteristics that have in previous research been identified as important triggers of health behavior on breast cancer screening activation: Health awareness, Need for Cognition, Affect Intensity, Breast cancer knowledge, Topic involvement, and the Perceived breast cancer risk. We test the effect of these factors on four activation variables: intention of future information seeking, forwarding the message to a friend, talking to a doctor, and actual breast cancer screening attendance. Additionally, we try to unravel the process by means of which the antecedents (the six personal characteristics) lead to activation. To that end, we test the mediating role of perceived breast cancer threat, perceived efficacy of screening, and the evoked breast cancer anxiety as mediators in this process. The data were collected by means of a cross-sectional survey in a sample of 700 Flemish (Belgium) women who were invited to the free-of-charge breast cancer population screening. Screening attendance of this sample was provided by the government agency in charge of the organisation of the screening. Health awareness, affects intensity, topic involvement, and perceived risk have the strongest influence on activation. Breast cancer anxiety and perceived breast cancer threat have a substantial mediation effect on these effects. Efficacy perceptions are less important in the activation process. Increased health awareness and a higher level of perceived risk lead to less participation in the free of charge population based breast screening program. Implications for theory and practice are offered. The limitation of the study is that only a standard invitation message was used. In future research, other types of awareness and activation messages should be tested. Additionally, the analysis could be refined by investigating the potentially different activation process in different subgroups of women.

What’s in it for me? Self-serving versus other-oriented framing in messages advocating use of prosocial peer-to-peer services

Abstract We present a study that investigates the effectiveness of self-serving versus other-oriented motivational framing of messages designed to persuade people to sign up for a prosocial peer-to-peer (P2P) service. As part of the study, volunteer message senders were incentivized to recruit people to sign up for one of three types of prosocial P2P services. Senders were given an option of choosing one of four pre-designed invitation messages to send to their contacts, two framed for self-serving motivations and two framed for other-oriented motivations. We found that recipients were more attracted to click on messages emphasizing self-serving benefits. This may not match the expectation of senders, who generally prioritized other-oriented motives for participating in prosocial P2P services. However, after recipients clicked the messages to investigate further, effects of self versus other-framing messages depended on the nature of the service. Our findings suggest that, even for prosocial services, messages offering self-serving motivations are more effective than altruistic ones on inspiring interests. But the overall persuasive effect on conversion may be more nuanced, where the persuasion context (service type) appears to be a critical moderator.

Process innovation capability and subsequent collaborative team performance in travel planning: a knowledge exchange platform perspective

Purpose: Backpacker tourism is flourishing in this century as the high development of Internet technology which enables travellers to search for resources they need easier. The research goal of this study was to exam how virtual skill and collective efficacy affect process innovation capability and subsequent team performance of collaborative design team in a virtual community. Design/methodology/approach: In this study, we formulated the virtual team model from the perspectives of open innovation paradigm and virtual competence, and we collected virtual community participation samples from the online communities. Invitation emails were delivered to numerous trip plan initiators in two well-known online travel communities for filling survey questionnaires for this study. In total, 3000 invitation messages were mailed, of which 373 were returned completed. The model and hypotheses were tested by structural equation modelling. Findings: Virtual competence, including collective efficacy and virtual media skill, is the essential key to facilitate process innovation capability and subsequent team performance success. Besides, knowledge sharing significantly moderates the relationship between process innovation capability and the team performance. Originality/value: Backpackers in the online travel communities have to have not only the willingness to collaborate, but also the abilities of using the correct tool to help with their tasks. When a self-efficacy gets into collective efficacy, it enables the collaborative team to develop with good virtual competencies. Accordingly, trip plan initiator and participants of a virtual team are as expertise contributors between conformity in online communities and online compulsive control tendencies.

Destination Attracting from Online Imagination

The research goal of this study was to investigate how motivation, consumption, and recommendation online affect the destination choice. Samples from the online travel communities were collected by mailing a questionnaire survey to participate. In total, 2,100 invitation messages were mailed to the members of the three travel communities. Of these, 456 were returned completed (a return rate of 21.71%). From the flow perspective, the information about destination will have an impact on the travelers’ cognitive image of destination when a traveler visits an online travel community. Tourism marketers need to understand that the mental images that come to mind make travelers feel as though they were actually experiencing the destination featured in the advertisement. Moreover, Destinations should redouble their efforts in using advertising to grow destination advocacy through the integration of online travelers’ contact points.

Acceptability and Preferences among Men and Women for Male Involvement in Antenatal Care.

Introduction. Male involvement in antenatal care (ANC) has been associated with improved prevention of mother-to-child transmission outcomes in Sub-Saharan Africa; yet it remains uncommon. We assess acceptability of male involvement from the male and female perspectives and potential incentives for men to attend ANC. Methods. Adult pregnant women and men attending primary healthcare at Witkoppen Health and Welfare Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa, from October 2013 to January 2014, were recruited using stratified random sampling to ensure equal representation across gender and HIV status. Results. 300/332 individuals (93.8%) offered participation consented. Among the 150 women, 97% had a partner; the majority (92%) preferred partner attendance at ANC, and 14% reported partner attendance during this pregnancy. The 150 men had low knowledge of services rendered at ANC outside of pregnancy monitoring, and few (19%) had previously attended ANC. Blood pressure screening, fatherhood information, and HIV testing were identified by men as incentives for attendance. Women and men expressed high willingness to, respectively, deliver (95%) and respond (97%) to ANC letter invitations. Conclusion. Invitation letters to promote male involvement in ANC are highly acceptable to pregnant women and men. Focusing invitation messages on fatherhood and primary healthcare rather than HIV testing may provide greater motivation for male involvement.

A direct communication proposal to test the Zoo Hypothesis

Whether we are alone in the universe is one of the greatest mysteries facing humankind. Given the >100 billion stars in our galaxy, many have argued that it is statistically unlikely that life, including intelligent life, has not emerged anywhere else. The lack of any sign of extraterrestrial intelligence, even though on a cosmic timescale extraterrestrial civilizations would have enough time to cross the galaxy, is known as Fermi's Paradox. One possible explanation for Fermi's Paradox is the Zoo Hypothesis which states that one or more extraterrestrial civilizations know of our existence and can reach us, but have chosen not to disturb us or even make their existence known to us. I propose here a proactive test of the Zoo Hypothesis. Specifically, I propose to send a message using television and radio channels to any extraterrestrial civilization(s) that might be listening and inviting them to respond. Even though I accept this is unlikely to be successful in the sense of resulting in a response from extraterrestrial intelligences, the possibility that extraterrestrial civilizations are monitoring us cannot be dismissed and my proposal is consistent with current scientific knowledge. Besides, issuing an invitation is technically feasible, cheap and safe, and few would deny the profound importance of establishing contact with one or more extraterrestrial intelligences. A website has been set up (http://active-seti.info) to encourage discussion of this proposal and for drafting the invitation message.

The relationships among supply chain partnerships, customer orientation, and operational performance: the effect of flexibility

The research goal of this study was to investigate how supply chain partnerships and customer orientation affect the operational performance of food service companies by moderating flexibility. In total, 725 invitation messages were mailed to members of Ihergo, Groupon, 17P, of which, 166 were returned (a return rate of 22.9 %). Structured equation modeling with PLS analysis allows empirical assessment of the measurement model used in this study. Companies will redefine their business models by connecting suppliers' and customers' view, and by integrating customers' opinions and queries for the planning and development of new products. Linkage efficiency suppliers will reduce inventory and decrease perishable for food service companies based on the driving force to buy in the virtual environment. Product innovation and reduction of the time to market by supplier integration and customer integration are important to food service companies, and flexibility plays an important role in food service companies.

Recency and frequency of HIV testing among men who have sex with men in Germany and socio-demographic factors associated with testing behaviour.

BackgroundTesting for presence of HIV infection is a pre-requisite to qualify for antiretroviral treatment. A considerable proportion of German men who have sex with men (MSM) infected with HIV have a CD4 cell count below 350 cells/μl at time of diagnosis and are thus defined as “late presenters”. Late presentation increases the risk of adverse disease outcomes. In addition, knowledge and assessment of HIV status is often used for decisions about condom use and anal intercourse with steady and non-steady partners. Incorrect assumptions may result in high risk for HIV transmission.MethodsBetween 11/2013 and 01/2014 MSM were recruited to an online survey predominantly by personalized invitation messages from MSM social networking and dating websites. Respondents were asked about demographic characteristics, HIV testing history, reasons for testing decisions, and sexual behaviours. We describe reasons for not testing and analyse factors associated with not or infrequent testing using univariable and multivariable multinomial regression.ResultsQuestions on HIV testing history were answered by 15,297 respondents. An HIV test within the last 12 months was reported by 38 %, a test more than 12 months ago by 27 % and 35 % had never been tested for HIV. Compared to recently tested, respondents who had never tested were more likely to be younger than 25 years (adjusted relative risk ratio (aRRR) 2.90, 95 % CI 2.11-3.99), living in a settlement with less than 100,000 inhabitants (aRRR 1.47, 95 % CI 1.18-1.83), being less open about their sexual orientation to their co-workers/classmates, and particularly to their primary care provider (aRRR 4.54, 95 % CI 4.02-5.11). Untested and less frequently tested respondents reported less sex partners and a lower proportion reported unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) with a non-steady partner (24 % compared to 38 % among those recently tested).ConclusionsMSM who were younger, who did not live in large cities, and who were not out about their sexual orientation tested less frequently for HIV. Apart from strengthening protection from sexual orientation-related discrimination and empowering MSM who conceal their orientation, more opportunities to test anonymously and without revealing one’s sexual orientation should be provided.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12889-015-1945-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.