Social Communication Technologies Research Articles

Web 2.0 and Internet Social Networking: A New tool for Disaster Management? - Lessons from Taiwan

BackgroundInternet social networking tools and the emerging web 2.0 technologies are providing a new way for web users and health workers in information sharing and knowledge dissemination. Based on the characters of immediate, two-way and large scale of impact, the internet social networking tools have been utilized as a solution in emergency response during disasters. This paper highlights the use of internet social networking in disaster emergency response and public health management of disasters by focusing on a case study of the typhoon Morakot disaster in Taiwan.DiscussionIn the case of typhoon disaster in Taiwan, internet social networking and mobile technology were found to be helpful for community residents, professional emergency rescuers, and government agencies in gathering and disseminating real-time information, regarding volunteer recruitment and relief supplies allocation. We noted that if internet tools are to be integrated in the development of emergency response system, the accessibility, accuracy, validity, feasibility, privacy and the scalability of itself should be carefully considered especially in the effort of applying it in resource poor settings.SummaryThis paper seeks to promote an internet-based emergency response system by integrating internet social networking and information communication technology into central government disaster management system. Web-based networking provides two-way communication which establishes a reliable and accessible tunnel for proximal and distal users in disaster preparedness and management.

Socially distributing public relations: Twitter, Haiti, and interactivity in social media

Social media and communication technology have shifted the power of communication from public relations practitioners to social media users who may not have a recognized role or defined interest in an organization. What results is a social model of public relations in which traditional public relations responsibilities are distributed to social media users, and which depends on interactivity, legitimacy, and a user's social stake. This study explores social public relations through a qualitative analysis of user involvement on Twitter regarding relief efforts to support Haiti following the 7.0 earthquake that hit Port-Au-Prince in January, 2010. This analysis of Twitter posts also expands understanding of interactivity online and demonstrates social media user fulfillment of public relations objectives.

Moving Around Seoul

This article is a critical reflection on the author’s perambulatory experiences in Seoul as he follows the curves and strokes of contemporary Seoul’s streets. In theories of mobile communication technologies, there are few discussions about how and why people move and what happens during those movements. As the author manages his presence in the metropolitan environment of Seoul, he focuses on the new connections of social space and mobile communication technologies such as mobile phones, laptops, digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB) receivers, and GPS (global positioning system) navigation. By concentrating on corporeal and incorporeal motions via walking, driving, and riding public transportation, the author discusses how the usage of new mobile communication technologies reshapes urban movement and private and public, inside and outside, near and far, and here and there conceptions of social space.

Digital Natives As Preservice Teachers

This study focused on “digital natives” as preservice teachers to examine their beliefs, attitudes, and technology experiences and expertise, identify the strengths and weaknesses in their technology knowledge and skills, and explore what technology preparation was needed to prepare them to integrate technology in their future classrooms. Results reveal that (a) the digital-native preservice teachers reported strong positive belief in technology, yet moderate confidence and reserved attitude in using technology; (b) the majority (80%) of them spent the most time on social-communication activities, and only about 10% of them spent the most time on learning-related activities; (c) they were very proficient with basic technologies but were not familiar with more advanced technologies; (d) the scope of their use of Web 2.0 technologies was limited to mainly social-networking Web sites, and they lacked the experiences and expertise in using Web 2.0 technologies with great potential for classroom application; and (e) they lacked experiences and expertise in using classroom technologies, especially assistive technologies. The results suggest that, growing up with technology, digital natives as preservice teachers are savvy with basic technologies and social-communication technologies. However, their technology proficiency is limited by both the narrow scope and the lack of depth of their technology activities. Systematic technology preparation is needed to help them learn more advanced’ technologies, classroom technologies, and assistive technologies, and more important, to help them make the connections between technology and teaching and to help them make the transition from digital-native students to digital-native teachers.

PR practitioners’ use of social media tools and communication technology

As social media moves from “buzz word” status to strategic tool, more practitioners are developing skills related to this online communication technology. This study surveyed working public relations practitioners about their adoption of 18 social media tools and their perception on the growth of social media trends in public relations practice. Results provide an overview of the adoption of social media, as a whole, in the industry.

Mapping the Irish biblioblogosphere

PurposeThe purpose of this empirical study is to investigate the use of, and perception of, weblogs in the Irish library and information profession, in order to ascertain the extent weblog technology is used by Irish librarians, and what factors promote or discourage the use of weblogs.Design/methodology/approachThe research questions answered in the study were: “What types of library/librarian weblogs exist in the Irish library community?”; “Does the Irish librarian community use weblogs and other social communication technologies?”; “What factors affect the uptake of blogging technologies by Irish librarians?”. The methodology employed in the study combined quantitative and qualitative techniques, and involved content analysis of existing Irish library and librarian weblogs; a survey of Irish librarians concerning weblogs and other social communication technologies; and interviews with Irish librarians who maintain weblogs.FindingsThe study found that a high proportion of Irish librarians read weblogs, but weblogs are not extensively used as an information resource or communication method, and e‐mail and websites are preferred. The professional use of weblogs was found to be associated with simplicity of use, and a proactive attitude to technology and to library users. Constraining factors included time concerns, fear of misuse of the weblog, the limitations of the linear nature of weblogs and the newness of the technology. Interest in weblog technology is growing and its uptake will ultimately depend on the interest of the librarian and the perceived and actual needs of the library users.Originality/valueThis study analyzes, for the first time, the Irish biblioblogosphere and contributes to the emergent body of knowledge concerning librarians' use of weblogs.

Exploring the propensity to perform social activities: a social network approach

Conceptual and empirical models of the propensity to perform social activity–travel behavior are described, which incorporate the influence of individuals’ social context, namely their social networks. More explicitly, the conceptual model develops the concepts of egocentric social networks, social activities, and social episodes, and defines the three sets of aspects that influence the propensity to perform social activities: individuals’ personal attributes, social network composition, and information and communication technology interaction with social network members. Using the structural equation modeling (SEM) technique and data recently collected in Toronto, the empirical model tests the effect of these three aspects on the propensity to perform social activities. Results suggest that the social networks framework provides useful insights into the role of physical space, social activity types, communication and information technology use, and the importance of “with whom” the activity was performed with. Overall, explicitly incorporating social networks into the activity–travel behavior modeling framework provides a promising framework to understand social activities and key aspects of the underlying behavioral process.

Job-related social networks and communication technology

In order to examine the social networks of individuals who rely on AAC, 38 adults who used AAC provided information about how they developed and maintained job-related social networks and how communication technologies helped them to do so. The respondents met new people who might become part of their job-related networks during social events with family or friends, as well as at meetings, conferences, and workshops. They also frequently used generic communication technologies such as the phone, email, computer, and the Internet to maintain contact with people in their social networks. Findings suggest that land-line telephones, email, and the Internet were used by the largest percentage of respondents, with email and the Internet used most frequently to contact the largest number of people. Qualitative data provided information about the use of technology for enhancing participants' job-related networks and suggestions for new or improved technologies.

Social Theory and Communication Technology

Social Theory and Communication Technology

Social democracy and communication technology: The case of the information superhighway

(1996). Social democracy and communication technology: The case of the information superhighway. Contemporary Politics: Vol. 2, No. 3, pp. 21-38.