Members Of Social Networking Sites Research Articles

Are People Addicted to Social Networks?

The popularity of social networking sites (SNSs) has increased rapidly. SNSs are a key part of daily life for many people around the world. The use of SNSs is already a global phenomenon. Drawing on social capital theory, this research empirically explored how structural capital (social network ties), relational capital (trust in SNSs, trust in members of SNSs, social identification, and social norms), and cognitive capital (shared language and shared goals) influence stickiness, which in turn affects addiction. This study introduced key moderators, privacy concerns and perceived security, to the relationship between stickiness and addiction. The authors empirically evaluated the proposed model by using survey data collected from SNS users. Structural equation modeling was applied to test the model. This study can provide a deeper understanding of SNS users' addiction behavior by focusing on social capital theory, privacy concerns, and perceived security and therefore contribute to both research and practice.

Effects of member similarity on group norm conformity, group identity and social participation in the context of social networking sites

PurposeFacilitating members' continual participation in a community is crucial for ensuring the community's long-term survival. However, knowledge regarding whether member similarity is related to member participation and the mechanism underlying this relationship is limited. Drawing on similarity–attraction, social exchange and social identity theories, this study explored the influences of different facets of similarity (i.e. value, personality and goal similarity) on group norm conformity, group identity and social participation.Design/methodology/approachData were collected from 444 Taiwanese members of social networking sites (SNSs), and structural equation modeling was employed to examine the hypothesized relationships.FindingsThe results revealed that value similarity directly affected group norm conformity but did not directly affect group identity; personality similarity influenced group identity but not group norm conformity. Goal similarity had positive influences on group norm conformity and group identity. Moreover, group norm conformity had direct and positive influences on group identity and social participation; group identity also had a positive influence on social participation.Originality/valueOn the basis of the aforementioned findings, this study contributes to the understanding of factors facilitating SNS members' participation from the perspective of similarity. These findings can serve as a reference for SNS administrators to facilitate social participation by emphasizing member similarity.

Effects of social capital of social networking site on social identity and continuous participant behavior

PurposeThe paper focuses on social capital as the characteristic of social groups that promote coordination; moreover, social identity plays a key role in the construction of group relationships. However, few research studies have looked at how the social capital of social networking sites (SNSs) is related to the social identity of its members. Drawing on social capital and social identity theory, this study investigated the effects of SNS social capital (shared language, social trust and network density) on social identity and continuous participation. The mediating role of social identity was also investigated.Design/methodology/approachIn total, 444 SNS members volunteered to participate in this study. Structural equation modeling was applied to analyze a conceptual model.FindingsThe results revealed that SNS social trust and network density directly and significantly affected the social identity and continuous participation behavior of members. SNSs using a shared language positively affected social identity, but this was not directly associated with continuous participation behavior.Originality/valueBecause the network externalities of SNSs exert critical effects on user benefits, attracting continuous user participation remains one of the critical challenges for SNS administrators. Both the theoretical and practical implications of this study can aid SNS administrators in developing effective continuous participation strategies.Peer reviewThe peer-review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/OIR-07-2021-0369

Determinants of social commerce adoption in an emerging economy

This study determines the influential factors responsible for social commerce adoption in an emerging economy. Our model combines constructs from social commerce constructs, social presence theory, and flow theory with the factors of trust and perceived risk management. We use structural equation modeling to analyze the data collected via an online survey of 300 participants who are members of social network sites in Bangladesh. The results indicate that social commerce constructs and social presence have significant impacts on trust and perceived risk management except for forums and communities, and the trust relationship, which influences social commerce use intention, thereby influencing social commerce use behavior. The findings also reveal that flow has a significant impact on intention to use.

Self-presentation of Iranian football players on Instagram during the 2018 World Cup

ABSTRACT Members of social network sites are able to decide how to present themselves to other members. An earlier study has suggested that athletes may put up posts to describe themselves in their various roles. The aim of this study is to gain further insight by extending from the earlier conceptual framework. The posts of 14 Iranian footballer who played in the Russia 2018 World Cup from April to August were analysed. Content analysis found that the posts could be classified into four different categories namely Athlete, Family, Personal and Publicity. In addition, it was found that over time, there were changes in the proportion of posts in each category. Athletes were more likely to post on their lives as an athlete before and after a major sports event. This suggests that athletes are managing their personal brand on social media.

Russian Students' Use of Social Network Sites for Selecting University Abroad

This qualitative case study explores how undergraduate students from the Russian State University for Humanities used social network sites (SNSs) for their decision to transfer to higher education institutions (HEIs) abroad. Participants reported using specific SNS features, such as likes and shares, for measuring HEI rating and indicated that ability to use native language was among motivating factors for membership in a specific SNS. The reported benefits of SNSs included instantaneous connections with likeminded individuals, realistic visualization of campuses, and unbiased and multidimensional views presented by SNS members. One of the emerging findings was that participants with no connections abroad relied exclusively on SNSs for their college choice. Participants with connections abroad relied on the advice of international contacts, and SNSs played a complementary role. HEI professionals may consider hiring and training international students to maintain consistent and meaningful content on different SNS platforms, particularly in their countries’ specific SNSs.

Self-Disclosure in Social Networking Sites in Saudi Arabia

Millions of people worldwide visit social network sites (SNSs) daily, such as Facebook, Twitter, and Snapchat. We examined a model based on the privacy calculus theory to better understand and determine what motivates users to disclose personal information on SNSs in Saudi Arabia. A total of 550 respondents participated in an online survey. The analysis results indicate that Saudi SNS users are primarily motivated by the convenience of maintaining and developing new relationships, self-presentation, and platform enjoyment. The results also indicate that privacy risks are a critical barrier to information disclosure. However, users become less concerned about privacy risks—and are thus more likely to disclose personal information—if they trust other SNS members and the service provider. Trust in the service provider increases if privacy control options are provided. In addition, the results show that gender influences the motivations to self-disclose personal information. Based on the analysis results, recommendations for service providers are provided.

Predictors of Chinese Users’ Location Disclosure Behavior: An Empirical Study on WeChat

Location disclosure behavior on social network sites (SNS) has developed rapidly. However, the influencing factors have not been adequately studied. Based on social cognitive theory and the concept of face, this study developed a research model to explain the factors with uniquely Chinese characteristics that predict WeChat users’ location disclosure. Using survey data collected from WeChat users in China (N = 545), the model is tested by a structural equation modeling (SEM). The results show that a desire to gain face, a fear of losing face, social norms, trust in SNS members and trust in an SNS provider positively influence WeChat users’ intention to disclose location information. Moreover, trust in SNS members can also boost trust in an SNS provider. Finally, both theoretical contributions and practical implications are discussed.

Epistemology in the Era of Fake News

Fake news has recently garnered increased attention across the world. Digital collaboration technologies now enable individuals to share information at unprecedented rates to advance their own ideologies. Much of this sharing occurs via social networking sites (SNSs), whose members may choose to share information without consideration for its authenticity. This research advances our understanding of information verification behaviors among SNS users in the context of fake news. Grounded in literature on the epistemology of testimony and theoretical perspectives on trust, we develop a news verification behavior research model and test six hypotheses with a survey of active SNS users. The empirical results confirm the significance of all proposed hypotheses. Perceptions of news sharers' network (perceived cognitive homogeneity, social tie variety, and trust), perceptions of news authors (fake news awareness and perceived media credibility), and innate intentions to share all influence information verification behaviors among SNS members. Theoretical implications, as well as implications for SNS users and designers, are presented in the light of these findings.

Social Network Site Usage among Adults: Social Networking Status and Virtual Loneliness

<p style="text-align:justify">This study examined the relationship between being members of social network sites (SNS) and the reasons for their use among individuals who are between 20-66 years of age. Social networking status and virtual loneliness are examined according to reasons for using SNS of participants. Researcher did a web-based questionnaire upon Facebook (FB) and reached a volunteer group of FB users and gave Social Networking Status Scale ( SNSS) and Virtual Loneliness Scale (VELS) in order to measure participants networking status and virtual loneliness according to socio-demographical variables. SNSS, gender, and age are the strongest predictors of virtual loneliness. Also, male participants, SNSS scores are significantly higher than female participants which indicates that male participants are more dependent on SNS. When time spent online increases individuals get convergence to usual habits in the virtual world. Individuals SNS usage habits effects their normal lives and make them escape to the virtual world.</p>

Social Support and Commitment within Social Networking Site in Tourism Experience

More and more tourists are becoming active members of social networking sites (SNS) and are tending to use SNS during different trip stages. Thus, SNS use allows their members to find a great variety of tourism information; share experiences by posting various pictures, photos, and blogs; tag photos; and read and leave comments on network friends’ posts. By getting tagged in a friend’s photos or getting some positive comments, the tourists using SNS can perceive social support from both friends and other network members, and obtain positive emotions triggering from maintaining relationships with family members and close friends or sharing opinions and ideas with people with similar interests. All this can change and shape the satisfaction with tourism experience of the tourists. This study aims to fill the gap in understanding the relationship between SNS use and satisfaction with tourism experience by exploring the effect of psychological factors caused by SNS use on tourists’ experience. More specifically, this research attempts to investigate the mediating effects of perceived social support, positive emotions, and commitment. The statistical results show that SNS use positively affect satisfaction with tourism experience by mediating positive emotions and commitment and perceived social support, and commitment also positively influences satisfaction with tourism experience by mediating positive emotions. With these results, this study extends the research stream of tourism experience by figuring out the mediating role of positive emotions caused by SNS use. Additionally, these findings provide some practical implications regarding marketing techniques that use SNS to increase satisfaction with tourism experience of tourists.

Your social network profile reveals you

PurposeThis study aims to evaluate the fears of individuals on their profiles’ sharing in social network sites (SNSs), regarding its advantages and disadvantages. The researched issues are related with the employment seeking process. The concern of this study is the deviation observation between the fears acquired by the business and private social media members.Design/methodology/approachThis study included an online survey with 236 respondents and calculated indicators of central tendency or location parameter, correlation coefficients and performed analysis of variance.FindingsThe result indicated and revealed the hidden danger and opportunities among social network members’ profile. This result addressed the need to consider the issue of user’s fears in reengineering the practical use of SNSs by organisations.Research limitations/implicationsInteresting for further research would be to transfer this research from the employment seeking process in other research fields to generalise the results more accurately.Originality/valueThe contribution to the research field is to compare different SNSs and to explain the reasons to use SNS profiles to support organisations by their decisions for a valuable strategy. This study provides an insight in use and behaviour of SNS members that support researchers to understand the behaviour of SNS members regarding their profile under consideration of the employment seeking process.

The influence of trust and perceived playfulness on the relationship commitment of hospitality online social network-moderating effects of gender

PurposeFrom the commitment–trust theory angle, this study aims to understand why members of social network sites (SNSs) are willing to build a relationship commitment with hospitality SNSs, engage in online word-of-mouth (WOM) and show a willingness to repurchase. This paper proposes a model to express the relationship commitment and gender as a moderator in the relationship.Design/methodology/approachThe interviews of a formal survey were selected by a purposive sampling method, and an online questionnaire survey was conducted in Taiwan. This study used the partial least square method to conduct structural equation modeling analysis.FindingsThe findings suggest that trust and perceived playfulness of the hospitality community have positive influences on relationship commitment, and also that the relationship commitment has a positive influence on online WOM and willingness to repurchase. This analysis provides strong support for the view that gender exerts a significant moderating role on our model relationships.Practical implicationsSNSs aspiring to stand out in the highly competitive internet environment must cultivate consumers’ trust and relationship commitment, and develop strategies to retain community members, as well as strengthen the safeguard personal information and the playfulness of activities. SNSs that launch relationship marketing activities should encourage community members to spread positive WOM through various activities.Originality/valueThis study combined the commitment–trust theory and technology acceptance model. It aimed to develop a theory-based model of relationship commitment in the hospitality SNSs’ context. Both trust and perceived playfulness are positively related to commitment; they are essential and important elements of successful hospitality SNSs. The gender difference plays a vital role in determining individuals’ behavior intention in the hospitality SNSs, as females and males have different decision-making processes.

Influence of Customer Identification on Online Usage and Purchasing Behaviors in Social Commerce

The emergence and increasing popularity of social networking sites (SNSs) have dramatically changed how people interact with one another and have paved the way for social commerce. Extant literature that examines Internet consumer behavior relies largely on cognitive-based models and thus examines the phenomenon only partially. This study offers an affective perspective to examine usage and purchasing behaviors and their relationships in a social commerce context. Extending customer identification literature, the study proposes that SNS members develop identification with the SNS. This identification further influences their usage and purchasing behaviors through customer loyalty and intention, respectively. The empirical test confirms that customer identification is an effective predictor to both behaviors and usage behavior affects purchasing behavior. Hence, it provides supportive evidence to the validity of affective perspective model and the popular “free and fee” business model in both electronic and social commerce. Theoretical and managerial implications, limitations, and future studies are also discussed.

Another brick in the Facebook wall – How personality traits relate to the content of status updates

Status updates represent a new form of one-to-many communication which is widely used among members of social networking sites (SNS). The present study investigated the question of who in particular uses the self-presentational opportunities of this feature and which users engage in riskier self-disclosures than others. Combining questionnaire and content analysis, we related self-reports on users’ personality traits (extraversion, narcissism, self-efficacy, need to belong, need for popularity) to the actual use of Facebook status updates. Results showed that higher degrees of narcissism led to deeper self-disclosures and more self-promotional content within these messages. Users with higher need to belong disclosed more intimate information in status updates, while perceived efficacy of self-presentation was negatively related to the mass suitability of postings. Findings extend prior research on personality and SNS usage with regard to dynamic features and content differences in online self-presentation.

Quitting smoking using health issue-specific Social Networking Sites (SNSs): What influences participation, social identification, and smoking cessation self-efficacy?

Introduction: This study examined members of health issue-specific social networking sites (SNSs) for smoking cessation, applying Social Identity Theory (SIT).Aims: The aim of the study was to test the relationships between perceived verbal, affective, cognitive and physical intimacy on the sites, participation level, social identification and smoking cessation self-efficacy.Methods: An online questionnaire (N = 252) assessed members of SNSs for smoking cessation. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), structural equation modelling (SEM), mediation analysis, MANOVA and ANOVA tests were used to test the hypotheses.Results/Findings: Verbal, affective, cognitive and physical intimacy significantly predicted participation; participation significantly predicted social identification and smoking cessation self-efficacy; and social identification mediated between participation and smoking cessation self-efficacy. Active participants and lurkers differed significantly on perceived verbal, affective, cognitive and physical intimacy, social identification, and smoking cessation self-efficacy.Conclusions: Health issue-specific SNSs for smoking cessation have a positive impact on members’ smoking cessation self-efficacy. Higher perceived intimacy facilitates participation online, which in turn influences smoking cessation self-efficacy, with social identification mediating this relationship.

Methodological Issues in Using Data from Social Networking Sites

Social networking sites (SNS) have become increasingly popular in recent years. With the amount of data available on SNS, the potential exists for researchers to use these data for their research. However, like any research method, there are limitations in using data from SNS. First, as members of SNS are not representative of the population, there is the limitation in generalizing the findings to the population. Second, in SNS with a low level of activity, there is also the issue of whether the data are sufficient for analysis. Third, the validity of the postings by members of SNS should be considered, as members of SNS may not be truthful in their responses. In addition, as the environment for SNS favors a quick emotive response as opposed to a cognitive response, the review suggests that the researcher will need to be aware of possibly different behavior when members of a SNS are faced with a high involvement decision. This article concludes that while there is potential in analyzing data from SNS, researchers should be aware of the limitations in using these data.

Why internet users are willing to pay for social networking services

PurposeIn recent years more and more users have begun to use social networking sites (SNSs). Visiting these sites has become a regular habit of many users. However most of the users only use the free services of the sites and are unwilling to pay for services. Therefore, in order to understand what factors affect users' intention to continue to pay for services, this study proposes a research model based on value theory and the academic literature on switching barriers.Design/methodology/approachAn online questionnaire was developed and used to collect research data. The responses of 211 SNS members who pay subscription fees for advanced services were used to test the hypotheses in the research model.FindingsAll of the seven study hypotheses were supported. The results indicated that perceived value and service degradation barriers are the main factors which directly influence the intention to pay. Together they account for 37.4 per cent of the variance in intention. Additionally the results demonstrated that sunk costs and lost performance costs both had significant impact on service degradation barriers while enjoyment, social value, and perceived fees were the main determinants of the intention to pay.Practical implicationsSNS managers could raise users' perceived value by enhancing the social value and enjoyment of SNSs. In addition they can provide paid members with exclusive member services to increase the barrier. To sum up, in order to increase customers' perceived value, SNS service providers need to understand the real needs of their major customers. These users will be more willing to pay for the services they prefer and feel they need and then recommend that other users use or pay for the services.Originality/valueThis study provides a comprehensive framework of the influence of perceived value and service degradation barriers on users' intention to continue to pay for SNSs. The research results could be generalised to other social Web 2.0 services.

Online social network contacts as information repositories

Normal 0 21 false false false CA X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Tabla normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0pt 5.4pt 0pt 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0pt; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} Les xarxes socials han existit des de l'antiguitat. Amb l'avanç tecnològic, han evolucionat cap a les modernes xarxes socials en línia. L'explosió d'aquestes darreres ha anat acompanyada d'importants impactes socials, incloent-hi el de l'à mbit educatiu. Ara un gran nombre d'estudiants universitaris pertanyen a alguna xarxa social i hi passen unes quantes hores a la setmana. Alguns sectors de la societat, com pares de família i professors, estan preocupats per l'impacte negatiu que això pot tenir tant en la seva activitat acadèmica com en la seva vida personal. Tanmateix, segons el connectivisme de George Siemens, els contactes d'una xarxa social en línia representen una font d'informació potencial i valuosa. En aquest estudi es va buscar identificar els factors que afavoreixen que un contacte d'una xarxa social en línia es converteixi en una font d'informació, davant una iniciativa d'aprenentatge. S'hi presenta una investigació, de naturalesa qualitativa, que es va fer en una institució privada d'ensenyament superior, amb un grup de vint-i-un estudiants acabats de sortir d'una carrera en particular i tretze professors universitaris. Els resultats demostren que els factors que afavoreixen que un contacte es converteixi en font d'informació en una xarxa social en línia són aquests: que es tingui coneixement sobre el contacte, que se sà piga el que el contacte sap, que es tingui proximitat social, que el contacte tingui un cert prestigi, que es conegui el contacte en persona i que sigui accessible.

The influence of extro/introversion on the intention to pay for social networking sites

Although social networking sites (SNSs) have attracted increased attention and members in recent years, there has been little research on it: particularly on how a users’ extroversion or introversion can affect their intention to pay for these services and what other factors might influence them. We therefore proposed and tested a model that measured the users’ value and satisfaction perspectives by examining the influence of these factors in an empirical survey of 288 SNS members. At the same time, the differences due to their psychological state were explored. The causal model was validated using PLS-Graph 3.0; six out of eight study hypotheses were supported. The results indicated that perceived value significantly influenced the intention to pay SNS subscription fees while satisfaction did not. Moreover, extroverts thought more highly of the social value of the SNS, while introverts placed more importance on its emotional and price value. The implications of these findings are discussed.