Social Networking Systems Research Articles

QuickPoint: Efficiently Identifying Densest Sub-Graphs in Online Social Networks for Event Stream Dissemination

Efficient event stream dissemination is a challenging problem in large-scale Online Social Network (OSN) systems due to the costly inter-server communications caused by the per-user view data storage. To solve the problem, previous schemes mainly explore the structures of social graphs to reduce the inter-server traffic. Based on the observation of high cluster coefficients in OSNs, a state-of-the-art social piggyback scheme can save redundant messages by exploiting an intrinsic hub-structure in an OSN graph for message piggybacking. Essentially, finding the best hub-structure for piggybacking is equivalent to finding a variation of the densest sub-graph. The existing scheme computes the best hub-structure by iteratively removing the node with the minimum weighted degree. Such a scheme incurs a worst computation cost of $O(n^2)$ O ( n 2 ) , making it not scalable to large-scale OSN graphs. Using alternative hub-structure instead of the best hub-structure can speed up the piggyback assignment. However, they greatly sacrifice the communication efficiency of the assignment schedule. Different from the existing designs, in this work, we propose a QuickPoint algorithm, which removes a fraction of nodes in each iteration in finding the best hub-structure. We mathematically prove that QuickPoint converges in $O(log_an) (a>1)$ O ( l o g a n ) ( a > 1 ) iterations in finding the best hub-structure for efficient piggyback. We implement QuickPoint in parallel atop Pregel, a vertex-centric distributed graph processing platform. Comprehensive experiments using large-scale data from Twitter and Flickr show that our scheme is 38.8× more efficient compared to existing schemes.

Leverage analysis

Many systemic design processes include the development and analysis of systems models that represent the issue(s) at hand. In causal loop diagram models, phenomena are graphed as nodes, with connections between them indicating a control relationship. Such models provide mechanisms for stakeholder collaboration, problem finding and generative insight and are powerful . These functions are valued in design thinking, but the potential of these models may yet be unfulfilled. We introduce the notion of “leverage measures” to systemic design, adapting techniques from social network analysis and systems dynamics to uncover key structures, relationships and latent leverage positions of modelled phenomena. We demonstrate their utility in a pilot study. By rethinking the logics of leverage, we make better arguments for change and find the place from which to move the world.

Análisis del contenido de las redes sociales: las peculiaridades y la problemática de la situación en Rusia

El artículo está dedicado al análisis de los problemas que surgen en el sistema de redes sociales en relación con la intensificación de la lucha de las autoridades judiciales encargadas de cumplir la ley de la Federación de Rusia con fenómenos que se designan en el campo legal como “extremismo”, “incitación al odio” e “insultar los sentimientos de los creyentes”. El objetivo del proyecto es analizar los problemas de regulación de las redes sociales y el contenido del autor en el contexto de la experiencia mundial y doméstica en la lucha por la “neutralidad de la red”. Se efectuó un análisis interdisciplinario. En el espacio moderno de los medios de comunicación rusos, el papel de un experto y una experiencia de los que depende la evaluación del contenido de las redes sociales cada vez gana más peso. El análisis realizado descrito en el artículo indica que los métodos tradicionales de examen de textos web necesitan una actualización sustancial. También se plantea la cuestión de la necesidad de describir claramente las calificaciones de un experto, regular la selección de expertos y los límites de sus actividades funcionales.

Hybrid Feature Based Approach for Recommending Friends in Social Networking Systems

Link prediction is an effective technique to be applied on graph-based models due to its wide range of applications. It helps to understand associations between nodes in social communities. The social networking systems use link prediction techniques to recommend new friends to their users. In this paper, we design two time efficient algorithms for finding all paths of length-2 and length-3 between every pair of vertices in a network which are further used in computation of final similarity scores in the proposed method. Further, we define a hybrid feature-based node similarity measure for link prediction that captures both local and global graph features. The designed similarity measure provides friend recommendations by traversing only paths of limited length, which causes more faster and accurate friend recommendations. Experimental results show adequate level of accuracy in friend recommendations within considerable computing time.

Hybrid feature-based approach for recommending friends in social networking systems

Hybrid feature-based approach for recommending friends in social networking systems

Toward a community resilience framework for disaster risk management. a case study: landslide Cisolok in Sukabumi 2018 and Sunda strait tsunami in Pandeglang 2018

Along with the increase in large and medium-scale disasters in the world, including in Indonesia, in the last decade, many theories and practices have developed in terms of measuring and improving disaster resilience. This study discusses the conceptual model of community-level disaster resilience and disaster risk reduction. Using a basic conceptual model for spatial protection to geological hazard, research examines the role of community resilience in reducing risk by using social dimensions. To explore the conceptual model of spatial resilience at the community scale, case studies conducted in two disaster events, are (1) communities affected by landslides in Cisolok, Sukabumi District on 31 December, 2018 and (2) Sunda Strait tsunami in Pandeglang tourism area on 22 December, 2018. Research suggests that the importance of social capital in terms of forming community resilience is related to disaster risk reduction. Social network, social experience, social knowledge and belief systems, contribute to increasing resilience and disaster risk reduction. The results of this study are the importance of building social capital and spatial resilience of communities in reducing disaster risk.

Tuberculosis y vivencias: Una mirada desde la fenomenología

La tuberculosis no ha sido erradicada en la mayoría de los países, por tanto, los programas de control deben también construirse sobre la base del conocimiento resultante de enfoques como el fenomenológico y no solo sobre la perspectiva biologicista y epidemiológica. Estudio de las vivencias en tuberculosis erigido sobre la matriz epistémica fenomenológica. Los informantes fueron: Dos pacientes con tuberculosis y un familiar de paciente fallecido por tuberculosis luego de abandonado el tratamiento. Los entrevistados pertenecen a una familia en ciclo de nido vacío donde las inadecuadas condiciones de vida y trabajo fueron determinantes en la adquisición de la patología. También es escaso el conocimiento sobre la enfermedad, pero bueno el trato del equipo de salud. Se concluye que La tuberculosis constituye un acontecimiento vital estresante y puede no ser aceptado por la persona o su grupo familiar, su percepción tiene repercusiones distintas según el conocimiento sobre la enfermedad y factores de riesgo, así como de la fase del ciclo vital familiar en que se encuentre, la aceptación de la enfermedad, la adherencia al tratamiento, la red social de apoyo, la situación laboral, la seguridad social y el sistema de salud.

Territoriality and the organization of technology during the Last Glacial Maximum in southwestern Europe.

Climate changes that occurred during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) had significant consequences in human eco-dynamics across Europe. Among the most striking impacts are the demographic contraction of modern humans into southern refugia and the potential formation of a population bottleneck. In Iberia and southern France transformations also included the occurrence of significant technological changes, mostly marked by the emergence of a diverse set of bifacially-shaped stone projectiles. The rapid dissemination of bifacial technologies and the geographical circumscription of specific projectile morphologies within these regions have been regarded as evidence for: (1) the existence of a system of long-distance exchange and social alliance networks; (2) the organization of human groups into cultural facies with well-defined stylistic territorial boundaries. However, the degree and modes in which cultural transmission have occurred within these territories, and how it may have influenced other domains of the adaptive systems, remains largely unknown. Using southern Iberia as a case-study, this paper presents the first quantitative approach to the organization of lithic technology and its relationship to hunter-gatherers’ territorial organization during the LGM. Similarities and dissimilarities in the presence of morphological and metric data describing lithic technologies are used as a proxy to explore modes and degrees of cultural transmission. Statistical results show that similarities in technological options are dependent on the chronology and geographical distance between sites and corroborate previous arguments for the organization of LGM settlement in Southern Iberia into discrete eco-cultural facies.

Doing favors in the Arab world

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to analyze the role of Wasta, a culturally based system of social networks of exchange among in-group members in the Arab world, as exemplified by three groups of Arabs in the Palestinian Authority, and then compares it to Guanxi (China), Sviazi (Russia) andJaan–Pechaan(India). The use of social networks is a common business model around the world to accomplish business objectives and is especially relied upon in emerging economies where formal institutions are weak. It is important to understand the commonalities and differences in the use of reciprocity in various cultural contexts in order to conduct business effectively. The aim of the paper is to illustrate the structure of Wasta and how it is perceived and constructed among three Arab social groups, and then compare and contrast it with social business models in three other high context cultures.Design/methodology/approachQualitative approach based on interviews to better understand the relationships involved.FindingsThe findings provide the foundation for a number of critical insights for non-Arab managers seeking to do business in the Arab world. For international managers to conduct business successfully, it is essential to understand how Wasta works, and establish relationships with members of influential social networks by building trust over time such that they create Wasta for themselves and indirectly for their firms. Using Wasta in the Arab world, as noted above, is similar to doing business successfully in other emerging economies such as using Sviazi in Russia (McCarthy and Puffer, 2008; Berger et al., 2017), Guanxi in China (Yen et al., 2011) andJaan–Pechaanin India (Bhattacharjee and Zhang, 2011). The authors feel more confident in stating this view after comparing Wasta with these other three concepts, and noting that all four are built upon the same fundamental constructs.Research limitations/implicationsThe authors recognize that the study is limited in terms of the geographical sample since it does not include any non-Palestinians, although the managers the authors sampled came from various regions in the Palestinian authority. Additionally, Palestinian managers are highly educated and mobile, and can be found in many other Arab countries working in managerial positions (Zineldin, 2002), thus potentially broadening the generalizability of the findings. Nonetheless, the samples would be called ones of convenience rather than randomly drawn from the three groups, since the latter would be extremely difficult to execute not only in the Palestinian Authority but in most of the Arab world due to the culturally based reluctance to provide sensitive information to those outside one’s network. Despite the difficulties that might be involved in exploring such culturally sensitive issues as the authors did in this study, the benefits in knowledge gained can be of significant importance to the study of international business in emerging and transition economies.Originality/valueLittle research has focused on the use of Wasta in the Arab world, a gap which this paper addresses. The authors do so by analyzing the views of Wasta held by three important groups – leaders, business people and students. While each type of reciprocity has its own unique characteristics, the authors focus on three interrelated constructs that have been found to underlie the use of reciprocity in various cultures. In the Arab world, these areHamola, which incorporates reciprocity;Somah, that incorporates trust; and Mojamala, which incorporates empathy through social business networks.

Enterprise social network (ESN) systems and knowledge sharing: what makes it work for users?

PurposeEnterprise Social Network (ESN) systems have emerged as the technology of choice to bolster and support organizational efforts for harnessing embedded knowledge. However, a lack of understanding about it limits the optimization of its potential. Hence, this paper aims to assess the role of hedonic motivation, network externalities (NE) and top management support in conjugation with the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology theory to understand ESN’s usage for knowledge sharing.Design/methodology/approachData were collected from 187 ESN users through a survey questionnaire and subsequently analyzed using variance-based structural equation modeling using the partial least squares method.FindingsESNs are used both for utilitarian and hedonic purposes. Furthermore, the results also bring out the importance of externalities arising from an extensive network of users and complimentary services, as well as support regarding resources and recognition from the top management toward reinforcing the benefits of using ESNs.Research limitations/implicationsThis study advances earlier knowledge by assessing the actual usage of ESNs for knowledge sharing. It takes into consideration multiple input variables, namely, performance expectancy, effort expectancy, NE amongst others to best resonate with the key factors driving its adoption and usage by an individual. However, because of the cross-sectional research design, causality can only be inferred.Practical implicationsThe organizations are recommended to have in place the measures for attaining optimal usage of ESNs, and in turn, witness knowledge moves around in ways unfathomable. Steps should be taken to develop tools and ecosystems to provide users affordances for both increasing productivity, as well as opportunities for gaining pleasure.Originality/valueThis study is one of its kind effort to synthesize the knowledge about the ESNs in an Indian context. It provides fascinating insights into the determinants of intention and usage of ESNs for knowledge sharing.

Affective Learning in Digital Education—Case Studies of Social Networking Systems, Games for Learning, and Digital Fabrication

Technological innovations, such as social networking systems, games for learning, and digital fabrication, are extending learning and interaction opportunities of people in educational and professional contexts. These technological transformations have the ability to deepen, enrich, and adaptively guide learning and interaction, but they also hold potential risks for neglecting people's affective learning processes – that is, learners’ emotional experiences and expressions in learning. We argue that technologies and their usage in particular should be designed with the goal of enhancing learning and interaction that acknowledges both fundamental aspects of learning: cognitive and affective. In our empirical research, we have explored the possibility of using various types of emerging digital tools as individual and group support for cognitively effortful and affectively meaningful learning. We present four case studies of experiments dealing with social networking systems, programming with computer games, and “makers culture” and digital fabrication as examples of digital education. All these experiments investigate novel ways of technological integration in learning by focusing on their affective potential. In the first study, a social networking system was used in a higher education context for providing a forum for online learning. The second study demonstrates a Minecraft experiment as game-based learning in primary school education. Finally, the third and the fourth case study showcases examples of “maker” contexts and digital fabrication in early education and in secondary school. It is concluded that digital systems and tools can provide multiple opportunities for affective learning in different contexts within different age groups. As a pedagogical implication, scaffolding in both cognitive and affective learning processes is necessary in order to make the learning experience with emerging digital tools meaningful and engaging.

Promoting Social Connection and Deepening Relations Among Older Adults: Design and Qualitative Evaluation of Media Parcels.

BackgroundBeing socially connected is related to well-being, and one way of avoiding social isolation is to deepen existing relationships. Even though existing relationships can be reinforced by regular and meaningful communication, state-of-the-art communication technologies alone do not increase the quality of social connections. Thus, there is a need for the involvement of a trained human facilitator in a network of older adults, preferably for a short period, to promote the deepening of their relationships.ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate the hypothesis that a human-facilitated, media-sharing social networking system can improve social connection in a small group of older people, who are more vulnerable to social isolation than most, and deepen their relationships over a period of a few weeks.MethodsWe conducted the design and evaluation of Media Parcels, a novel human-facilitated social networking system. Media Parcels is based on the metaphor of a facilitator collecting and delivering parcels in the physical mail. Extending the metaphor, the system supports a facilitator in designing time-based dialogue requesting parcels from participants that bring out their memories and feelings, in collecting the parcels, wrapping them in annotations that communicate the corresponding requests, and delivering the wrapped parcel to a target person. Qualitative evaluation was carried out in two trials with a group of three people each, one with family members (children and father; aged 55, 56, and 82 years old) and the other with a group of friends (aged 72, 72, and 74 years old), over two weeks. In each trial, data were collected in three interviews (pre-, mid-, and posttrial) and via system logging.ResultsCollected data indicate positive social effects for deepening and developing relationships. The parcel metaphor was easily understood and the computational system was readily adopted. Preferences with regard to media production or consumption varied among participants. In the family group, children preferred receiving media parcels (because of their sentimental value) to producing them, whereas the father enjoyed both. In the friendship group, preferences varied: one friend enjoyed both producing and receiving, while the other two preferred one over the other. In general, participants reported a preference for the production of items of a certain type depending on the associated content. Apart from having a strong engagement with the system, participants reported feeling closer to each other than usual.ConclusionsFor both groups, Media Parcels was effective in promoting media sharing and social connections, resulting in the deepening of existing relationships. Its design informs researchers who are attempting to promote social connection in older adults.

A Health System's Pilot Experience with Using Social Knowledge Networking (SKN) Technology to Enable Meaningful Use of EHR Medication Reconciliation Technology.

Similar to issues faced in health systems across USA, AU Health, based in Augusta, Georgia, faced a scenario of low physician engagement in, and limited-use of its Electronic Health Record (EHR) Medication Reconciliation (MedRec) technology, which translated to high rates of medication discrepancies and low accuracy of the patient's active medication list, during transitions of care. In fall 2016, a two-year grant was secured from the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), to pilot a Social Knowledge Networking (SKN) system pertaining to "EHR-MedRec," to enable AU Health to progress from "limited use" of EHR MedRec technology, to "meaningful use." The rationale behind an SKN system, is that it could provide a platform for inter-professional knowledge exchange on practice issues related to EHR MedRec, across diverse provider subgroups and care settings, to highlight adverse consequences of gaps in practice for patient safety, and emphasize the value of adhering to best-practices in EHR MedRec. This, in turn, is expected to increase provider engagement in addressing issues related to EHR MedRec, and promote inter-professional learning of best-practices, to create a foundation for practice change or improvement (e.g., Meaningful Use of EHR MedRec technology). This Case Report describes AU Health's experiences with this novel initiative to pilot an SKN system for enabling Meaningful Use of EHR MedRec technology. It also discusses lessons learned in regard to the potential of an SKN system to enable inter-professional learning and practice improvement in the context of EHR MedRec, which, in turn, helps identify strategies and practice implications for healthcare managers.

"Are you an influencer, or a lurker? why not both! understanding alternate, opposite behaviors in complex social network systems" by Diego Perna, Roberto Interdonato, and Andrea Tagarelli with Martin Vesely as coordinator

Nowadays, the massive and horizontal diffusion of online social networks (OSNs) allows users to uncover different aspects about themselves through the use of multiple online platforms. In this respect, linking the accounts related to the same individual enables a more complete and thorough analysis of online behaviors. Indeed, the complexity of scenarios concerning the analysis of linked accounts across multiple platforms raises an emergence for developing effective models and methods to understand the characteristics and dynamics of multiple, interconnected types of user relations. In this context, we leverage the importance of studying the dichotomy between information-producers (contributors) and information-consumers (lurkers), and their interplay over a multilayer network, in order to effectively analyze the different roles a user may take on different OSNs. In particular, here we discuss a solution to the problem of identifying and characterizing opposite behaviors that users may alternately exhibit over the various layers of a complex social network system. We also recognize a number of application domains and tasks that can benefit from using the method discussed, including user engagement, information filtering and propagation for advertising, and targeted marketing campaigns.

Losses and Gains of Psychosocial Resources: Effects on Stress Among Women Undergoing Infertility Treatments and Participating in Social Network Systems

This theory-driven study assessed the association between infertility-related stress and perceived losses of psycho-social resources; and the buffering effect of resource gains and type of infertility (primary/secondary) on this relationship, among women who participate in online infertility-related social network systems (SNS). Ninety women participating in infertility-related SNS completed online questionnaires assessing resource losses and gains and stress levels. Results: Resource loss significantly predicted stress (β = .66, p < .001). Resource loss and the number of children were correlated negatively (r = -.22, p < .05). Residency was significantly related to resource loss (r = -.23, p < .05) and perceived stress (r = -.23, p < .05). Israeli participants reported lesser resource loss and lesser perceived stress, compared to participants from other countries. Surprisingly, neither resource gains related to SNS participation nor infertility-type served as moderators in the relationship between resource loss and stress. The association between resource loss and stress supports COR theory formulation of stress etiology. However, while participants noted significant resource gains from use of SNS, these did not buffer the effects of resource loss on stress. Thus, although it may be enticing to turn to SNS for social support, individuals with infertility need to be encouraged to use face-to-face social support too.

Structural equation modeling and confirmatory factor analysis of social media use and education

The objective of this study is to design a structural equation model and test confirmatory factor analysis system in order to better explain how students could utilize social networking system (Facebook) for educational purposes. Thus, this paper seeks to examine the attitude, perception and behaviour of Japanese students’ towards social-networking sites, and how students from non-English speaking backgrounds (especially Japanese students) at the University of Toyama perceive the use of Facebook for learning English as a foreign language. Our Structural Equation Modelling system based Facebook model outline the relations among different types of independent, dependent variables and constructs. We tested our model using adequate fitting indices like Goodness of Fit Index (GFI), Adjusted Goodness of Fit Index (AGFI), Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA), Comparative Fit Index (CFI), Non-Normed Fit Index/Tucker Lewis index (NNFI/TLI) and Incremental Fit Index (IFI). The results of the proposed model confirmed the hypothesized latent structures and theoretical validity of probed factors. Conclusions drawn from this study might be useful to better understand the use of social networking tools in educational context.

Social Networks and Colonial Power, a Case Study: The Real Ensign Antonio de la Fuente (1763-1807)

This article proposes the reconstruction of the socioeconomic networks established by Real Ensign Don Antonio de la Fuente through the positions he held in the administrative structure of the Crown and the links he created during his life. As part of the social network system that during the colonial era the elite of Cartago used as a means to strengthen their social bonds via marriage, the economic ones using the bonds and letters of power –both granted and received–, and the prestige that gave him the positions in administrative and justice issues.

Network analysis of the structure of inter-professional knowledge exchange related to Electronic Health Record Medication Reconciliation within a Social Knowledge Networking system.

BackgroundIn fall 2016, a 2-year grant was secured to pilot a Social Knowledge Networking (SKN) system pertaining to Electronic Health Record (EHR) Medication Reconciliation (MedRec), to enable Augusta University Health System to progress from “limited use” of EHR MedRec technology, to “meaningful use” (MU). A total of 50 “SKN users” (practitioners), participated in discussing practice issues related to EHR MedRec, over a 1-year period. These discussions were moderated by five “SKN moderators” (senior administrators). The pilot study, completed in fall 2018, found that inter-professional knowledge exchanges on the SKN, enabled several collective learning (“aha”) moments to emerge. These learning dynamics in turn, were associated with distinct improvement trends in two measures of MU of EHR MedRec technology, identified for the study. A key takeaway was that an SKN could be a valuable tool in enabling MU of EHR MedRec technology.PurposeThe study’s key findings related to the content and dynamics of inter-professional knowledge exchange on the SKN system, and their association with trends in measures of MU of EHR MedRec technology, have been described in a separate publication. This paper seeks to describe the structure of inter-professional knowledge exchange (or the pattern of connections) related to EHR MedRec, over the 1-year SKN period.MethodsSocial network analysis (SNA) techniques were used to describe the structure of inter-professional knowledge exchange on the SKN system.ResultsResults revealed that three of the five SKN moderators played a strong “collective brokerage” role in facilitating inter-professional knowledge exchange related to EHR MedRec, to enable learning and practice change. Together, they played complementary roles in reinforcing best-practice assertions, providing IT system education, and synthesizing collective learning moments, to enable “champions for change” to emerge from among SKN users.ConclusionResults provide insight into the structure of effective knowledge-sharing networks for enabling inter-professional learning and practice change in health care organizations.

LOOKING FOR ALTERNATIVE ONLINE PROMOTION STRATEGY IN VIRTUAL STORE BALERINA BEAUTY SHOP: AN APPLICATION OF ANALYTIC HIERARCHY PROCESS

Technology through the internet changes human lifestyle and culture. Ease access to the internet is major support for developing the e-commerce industry. However, in some online companies, not only the internet but also other supporting factors are needed to grow, such as alternative marketing strategies. In the case of Balerina beauty shop, the decreasing number of its visitors for months became the main concern. The company chooses promotional focus as the strategy to deal with visitor problems. Previous research in e-business and analytical hierarchy processes (AHP) issues have not been a concern to promotion strategy, so this study aims to explore the application of analytical hierarchy processes (AHP) in virtual stores and find elements that support online promotion strategies. This study uses a qualitative and quantitative approach. The results of the study indicate that the company has implemented an online promotion strategy such as web promotion with the CPC system, price discounts, social networking systems, smartphone applications, and online group discussions. Actors who play a main role in the company when making strategic decisions are directors, marketing managers, and IT departments. The marketing strategy of the company purposes to increase sales, consumers' awareness, competition, and information dissemination. AHP results show that alternative strategies for the progress of the company, based on priority ranking, are markets, search engine optimization, web advertising, and direct mail. For further development in performance, giving priority to the development of IT skills can be applied.

PersoNet: Friend Recommendation System Based on Big-Five Personality Traits and Hybrid Filtering

Friend recommendation system (FRS) is an essential part of any social network system. With the popularity of social network sites, many FRSs have been proposed in the past few years. However, most of them are homophily based systems, homophily is the propensity to associate and bond with similar others. In other words, these systems will recommend people that you share common features with them as friends. Homophily based FRS is accurate when the common feature is a physical or social feature, such as age, race, location, job, or lifestyle. However, it is not the case with personality types. Having a given personality type does not necessarily mean that you are compatible with people that have the same personality type. Therefore, in this paper, we present and evaluate an FRS based on the big-five personality traits model and hybrid filtering, in which the friend recommended process is based on personality traits and users’ harmony rating. To validate the proposed system’s accuracy, a personality-based social network site that uses the proposed FRS named PersoNet is implemented. Users’ rating results show that PersoNet performs better than collaborative filtering (CF)-based FRS in terms of precision and recall.