Comparison Of Theory Research Articles

AN EXPLORATORY RESEARCH TO REVEAL THE HABITS, MOTIVATIONS, AND TENDENCIES OF GENERATION Z TO USE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS AS A LEISURE ACTIVITY

Generation Z’s (Gen-Z) technology-centered lifestyles have resulted in a departure from traditional behavior patterns, particularly in their use of social media platforms (SMPs) for leisure activities. In this regard, an exploratory, qualitative research approach was adopted in the present study, which deeply understands the perceptions and feelings of Gen-Z members’ engagement with the SMPs for their leisure pursuits. Inductive content analysis was performed on the data collected from 107 Gen-Z member university students selected using convenience sampling. The perspectives and internal and external motivations of Gen-Z members towards producing content on SMPs are discussed within the scope of social comparison and social presence theories, while their views on whether to perform recreational activities are built on the theoretical foundations of leisure constraints (intrapersonal, interpersonal, and structural) and facilitators. Gen-Z behaviors regarding joining or not joining groups were framed based on social media engagement (behavioral, affective, and cognitive) and leisure constraints. The results obtained will lead to the opening of new discussion areas for the creation of modern marketing strategies for the recreation industry, marketing organizations, and public institutions and organizations.

Black women, Brazilian butt lifts and body image: A qualitative study on the role social media play in promoting the thick ideal

Black women, Brazilian butt lifts and body image: A qualitative study on the role social media play in promoting the thick ideal

Are Instagram Gym Advertisements Working Out? An Experimental Study of Model Body-Size and Slogan-Type.

Previous health communication research has demonstrated the negative psychological and health effects of depicting thin-sized models in mass media advertisements including on social media sites such as Instagram. However, gym advertisements are one common source for the presentation of lean and thin-sized models on Instagram. Therefore, the current study guided by social comparison theory and signaling theory aimed to experimentally examine the effect of thin-sized models relative to plus-sized models as well as slogan-type (health and wellness versus physique-based) on women's appearance comparison, body satisfaction, perceived gym fit, and intentions to join the gym. A sample of 217 undergraduate students who identified as women were randomly assigned to one of four Instagram gym advertisement conditions varying in model body-size and slogan-type. Appearance comparisons, perceived gym fit, and intentions to join the gym were measured post advertisement exposure and body satisfaction was measured pre-and-post advertisement exposure. As expected, exposure to Instagram gym advertisements featuring thin-sized models resulted in greater appearance comparisons and lower body satisfaction than exposure to Instagram gym advertisements featuring plus-sized models. Moreover, the combination of plus-sized models with health and wellness slogans in Instagram gym advertisements resulted in greater gym fit perceptions although there was no effect of model body-size and slogan-type on intentions to join the gym. This study supports social comparison theory, signaling theory, and practically the findings indicate that Instagram gym advertisements that depict plus-sized models (versus thin) with health-and-wellness slogans (versus physique) generate fewer body image concerns and lead to greater gym fit perceptions.

How Consumer Photo Reviews and Online Platform Types Influence Luxury Hotel Booking Intentions Through Envy

When booking hotels, travelers often rely on content created by other consumers to inform their decisions. This study examines the effect of consumer-generated photos of luxury hotels, specifically those that emphasize the quality of one’s experiences versus the quality of the hotel’s facilities, as well as the type of platform through which such photos are shared, such as social media versus review websites. Drawing on the Social Comparison Theory, this study aims to understand how these factors influence a consumer’s booking intention and overall attitude toward hotels by examining the role of envy. An online experiment employing a 2 (photo content: experience-focused vs. facility-focused) × 2 (platform type: Instagram vs. Tripadvisor) between-subjects design was conducted with 275 American adults. Results showed that photo content significantly influenced the levels of envy among consumers. Specifically, experience-focused photos generated significantly higher levels of envy than did facility-focused photos. Furthermore, envy fully mediated the relationship between photo content and consumer attitudes and behaviors. Both interaction and moderated mediation were found between photo content and platform type. This research contributes to the Social Comparison Theory and the corresponding literature on envy, specifically in the context of luxury hotel marketing and social media consumer behavior. Additionally, it offers practical insights for hotel online review managers to consider, such as which types of photo content and photo sharing platforms to prioritize in order to enhance business value.

Finding an autonomous path to positive change: a self-determination theory view of daily change-oriented organizational citizenship behavior

The present study investigates the relationship between employee daily social and temporal comparison and positive change in the form of change-oriented organizational citizenship behavior (OCB-CH). Using insights from self-determination theory, social comparison theory and the two-facet model of authentic and hubristic pride, we tested two distinct process models in this relationship, namely an autonomous and a controlled path. The autonomous path represents the expression of intrinsic growth tendencies relating to prosociality, creativity and healthy emotion regulation. We hypothesized that this expression is instigated by the experience of growth denoted by favorable, downward temporal comparisons and leads to authentic, rather than hubristic, pride. Subsequently, proceeding through the satisfaction of the basic psychological needs, the path eventually leads to OCB-CH. Participants from various occupational sectors (N=68) responded to a daily diary questionnaire (N=340) at the end of each of five working days. Multilevel mediational analyses supported the autonomous path: on days when employees perceived themselves as engaging in more downward temporal comparison, they were more likely to engage in OCB-CH via the experience of authentic pride and satisfaction of the basic psychological needs. These findings expand self-determination theory by revealing why downward temporal comparison information fosters proactive behaviors within organizational contexts in general and the initiation of positive change in the form of OCB-CH in particular.

Fuse and fracture? The janus face of proactive personality in ostracism

AbstractDespite the well identified personality-related factors that drive ostracism, the dual role that a proactive personality plays in influencing ostracism has received little scholarly attention. Drawing on social exchange and social comparison theories, we develop a social relational model of peers’ reactions to a focal proactive member. Findings reveal that a focal member’s proactive personality not only enhances peers’ cognition-based trust in the focal person, but also triggers peers’ feeling of relative deprivation. The peers’ cognition-based trust, in turn, weakens—whereas the feeling of relative deprivation strengthens—peers’ ostracism of the focal proactive member. The focal member’s prosocial motive and proself motive further moderate these relationships. Specifically, prosocial motive strengthens the negative indirect relationship between a focal person’s proactive personality and peers’ ostracism through peers’ cognition-based trust in the focal person. Moreover, proself motive amplifies the positive indirect relationship between a focal person’s proactive personality and peers’ ostracism through peers’ feeling of relative deprivation.

Leader-follower congruence in overqualification and leader undermining: the mediating role of leader's downward envy

PurposeDrawing upon social comparison theory, this paper explores the (in)congruence effect of leader and follower overqualification on leader's downward envy, which in turn leads to leader undermining behavior.Design/methodology/approachUsing two-wave, multi-sourced data gathered in China, a polynomial regression was conducted on 301 leader-follower dyads.FindingsResults show asymmetrical incongruence effects, indicating greater leader's downward envy when leader overqualification was lower than follower overqualification. In addition, by increasing downward envy, leader-follower (in)congruence in overqualification has an indirect positive effect on leader undermining behavior.Practical implicationsThis study highlights the importance of being conscious of both parties’ overqualification levels to avoid unfavorable outcomes. Meanwhile, training for both parties is crucial, offering a holistic understanding of leader-follower overqualification differences and downward envy, as well as skills to manage “triggers” of leader undermining.Originality/valueOur study is among the first to examine the effects of overqualification from a leader-follower dyadic congruence perspective. It suggests that leader's downward envy and undermining behaviors toward followers are influenced by both follower and leader overqualification.

Strengthening Identity: The Impact of Upward Social Comparisons on the Leadership of Women CCOs

ABSTRACT Adopting social comparison theory (SCT), this study explores how upward social comparisons to equivalent or higher-ranked leaders influences the leadership styles of women Chief Communication Officers (CCOs). An in-depth interview methodology is utilized to learn from 15 women who currently serve or have recently served as a CCO. From these interviews, it was determined these women are using comparisons to other similar executive public relations leaders as informal sources to effectively evaluate, improve, and enhance their leadership. Theoretical and practical implications for women and leadership in public relations are also discussed.

ALWAYS DESIRE MORE? CEO PERCEPTIONS OF RELATIVE COMPENSATION, RISK PROPENSITY, AND INNOVATION IN SMEs

We study how the chief executive officers (CEOs) compensation perceptions and risk propensity influence exploratory innovation in small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Based on survey data collected from 381 CEOs of private SMEs in Colombia, we find that (1) CEO underpayment perceptions have a positively increasing relationship with exploratory innovation, (2) CEO overpayment perceptions have a positively decreasing relationship with exploratory innovation, and (3) CEOs’ risk propensity does not moderate these relationships. Our study informs small business managers, boards of directors, and policy makers on how compensation aspirations and comparisons serve as motives for exploratory behaviour. Our study also represents a unique attempt to capture CEOs’ perceptions of their compensation and explore their influence on strategic outcomes. Further, we underscore the need to extend social comparison theories to better understand how CEOs’ compensation and dispositional motives shape firms.

Examining changes in adolescents' high school math and science motivational beliefs and their relations to parental STEM support and STEM major choice at the intersectionality of gender and college generation status.

Drawing on the situated expectancy-value, dimensional comparison theories, and the intersectionality approach, this article examined the changes in adolescents' math and science motivational beliefs, the parental and college correlates of those beliefs, and the differences at the intersection of gender and college generation status (i.e., female and male first- and continuing-generation college students). Findings based on the nationally representative high-school longitudinal study data (N = 12,070; Mage = 14 years; 54% female students; 28% first-generation college students; and 14% Latinx, 9% Black, 10% Asian, and 57% White) suggest that although adolescents' math and science ability self-concepts declined during high school, their science interest remained stable, and their math and science utility values increased. Adolescents' motivational beliefs in ninth grade and the changes from ninth to 11th grade positively predicted whether they declared a science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) college major. Parents' ninth-grade STEM support was more consistently associated with adolescents' concurrent beliefs compared to the changes in their beliefs. Finally, we found that female first-generation college students, who were more likely to be Latinx and Black students, tended to have lower math and science motivational beliefs, received less parental STEM support, and were less likely to choose a STEM major than their peers. The findings of this study indicate adolescents' math and science motivational development in high school matters for their college majors and that certain understudied groups, including female first-generation college students, may experience acute marginalization in STEM and warrant further attention. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Modified Nested Saturated Control for Uncertain Multiple Integrators With High-Order Nonlinear Perturbation.

This article studies the global asymptotic stability problem of multiple integrators subject to uncertain parameters and high-order nonlinear perturbation. By introducing a modified saturation function with positive tunable parameters, three types of modified nested saturated controllers with different parameter assignments are proposed to handle the uncertain integrators with high-order nonlinear perturbation. The specific mechanism of the modified nested saturated controllers with different parameter assignments, in which control parameters appear before states, saturation functions, or saturation levels, is comprehensively analyzed. With the help of a modified saturation function, the global convergence domain of each state can be kept invariable in the saturation reduction analysis. Meanwhile, a large saturation level is obtained by adjusting positive tunable parameters. Combining with derivatives calculation and M -matrix-based comparison theory, proposed saturated control schemes are utilized to handle the considered system. Finally, an active magnetic bearing (AMB) system is revisited as an uncertain mechanical system and used to verify the feasibility of the proposed control designs.

Sang Culture: Social Comparisons of Generation Z Youths in China on Social Media

Sang Culture emerged among Chinese youth, showcasing digital expressions that encompass written words, audio clips, visuals and videos that portray feelings of despair and decadence. This phenomenon offers insight into the lived experiences and attitudes of Chinese Generation Z, commonly known as Gen Z. Rising from the challenges of the 2020 pandemic, the guarded and pessimistic mindset of this generation towards existential fears and uncertainties is distinctive, particularly on social media, where the youth find comfort in a sense of belonging, channelling their expressions through ironic wit and light-hearted jokes, resulting in not only personal healing but also shared amusement. While it is being embraced as a means of self-expression and discourse on societal norms, Sang Culture has faced criticism from conservative Chinese society for its perceived disruptive nature. In stark contrast to traditional beliefs and philosophies, Sang Culture and its cynicism are often considered a societal stain. Nevertheless, as China's youth continue to navigate their place in a rapidly changing society, Sang Culture remains a powerful force, reflecting the aspirations and frustrations of a generation seeking to carve out its own path. This study examined Gen Z through the Sang Culture on social media platforms and analysed social comparisons that emerge from the Sang Culture expressions online. The analysis deployed Festinger’s Social Comparison Theory and findings of this study underline how the creation of user-generated content concerning the Sang Culture compare their perceptions, beliefs, attitudes, and behaviours with those dictated or implied by societal realities. Keywords: Sang culture, generation Z, social media, user-generated content, social comparison theory.

Examining the pathways of social comparison and achievement goals to academic grades among South Korean high school students

ABSTRACT Social comparison is prevalent, even within classrooms, yet limited research explores its impact on academic outcomes. The current study adopted social comparison theory and achievement goal theory and tested a structural equation model that explained the pathways among two types of social comparison (i.e. ability-based and opinion-based), achievement goals, self-efficacy, effort, and academic grades. Based on a sample of 398 high school students, the current study demonstrated associations between opinion-based social comparison and mastery goals and between ability-based social comparison and performance goals. Furthermore, the current study identified different pathways for the indirect effects of social comparison and achievement goals that contributed to academic grades. The findings yielded the learning-oriented pathways and the performance-oriented pathways. The learning-oriented pathways showed the connections among opinion-based social comparison, mastery-approach goals, internal learning capacities (i.e. self-efficacy and effort), and academic grades; whereas the performance-oriented pathways demonstrated the connections among ability-based social comparison, performance-approach goals, and academic grades. This study implies that having a balanced mind-set between learning-oriented and performance-oriented approaches would benefit students most. Parents and teachers can play pivotal roles in nurturing students to focus on their internal learning processes within the competitive environment. The implications of competition-based achievement in classrooms are discussed.

Sustainable energy consumption behaviour with smart meters: The role of relative performance and evaluative standards

AbstractThe growing adoption of smart meters enables the measurement of households' energy consumption, influenced not solely by building characteristics such as thermal insulation but also by residents' behavioural patterns, such as heating and ventilation practices. To motivate residents to adopt more sustainable behaviours, user interfaces on smartphones and laptops are increasingly using consumption data from households' smart meters to enable effective goal‐setting. In contrast to previous research largely focusing on goal‐setting in isolation, this study examines the role of specific social comparison‐related design features that future research and practitioners can consider along with goal‐setting to stimulate sustainable behaviours. Specifically, we look into the influence of residents' perception of their relative performance (i.e., whether their behaviour was better or worse than a reference group) on their ambition to act (i.e., targeted improvement goal) and their actual energy consumption behaviour. Moreover, we investigate the influence of a goal's evaluative standard (i.e., whether the goal refers to one's own or other's performance) on the relationship between relative performance, ambition to act, and energy consumption behaviour. Drawing on social comparison theory, we conducted a framed field experiment with 152 households. We find that a goal's evaluative standard influences residents' awareness of their relative performance, affecting their ambition to act and, ultimately, their energy consumption behaviour. More specifically, we find that whereas other‐ (vs. self‐) referencing goals encourage residents from worse‐than‐average performing households more strongly to improve their energy consumption behaviour, they discourage better‐than‐average ones. Overall, our study provides novel insights into the interplay between relative performance and evaluative standards as a means of fostering social comparison in smart meter‐facilitated goal‐setting, highlighting their crucial role in effectively supporting sustainable behaviours.

What is beautiful is good: attractive avatars for healthier dining and satisfaction

PurposeAs technology increasingly integrates into the restaurant industry, avatar servers present a promising avenue for promoting healthier dining habits. Grounded in the halo effect theory and social comparison theory, this study aims to delve into the influence of avatars' appearance, humor and persuasion on healthier choices and customer satisfaction.Design/methodology/approachThis paper comprises three experimental studies. Study 1 manipulates avatar appearance (supermodel-looking vs normal-looking) to examine its effects on perceived attractiveness, warmth and relatability. These factors influence customer satisfaction and healthy food choices through the psychological mechanisms of social comparison and aspirational appeal. Studies 2 and 3 further refine this theoretical model by assessing the interplay of appearance with humor (presence vs absence) and persuasion (health-oriented vs beauty-oriented), respectively.FindingsResults suggest that avatars resembling supermodels evoke stronger aspirational appeal and positive social comparison due to their attractiveness, thus bolstering healthier choices and customer satisfaction. Moreover, humor moderates the relationship between appearance and attractiveness, while persuasion moderates the effects of appearance on social comparison and aspirational appeal.Research limitations/implicationsThis research bridges the halo effect theory and social comparison theory, offering insights enriching the academic discourse on technology’s role in hospitality.Practical implicationsThe findings provide actionable insights for managers, tech developers and health advocates.Originality/valueDespite its significance, avatar design research in the hospitality sector has been overlooked. This study addresses this gap, offering a guideline for crafting attractive and persuasive avatars.

The importance of social comparison in perceived justice during the service recovery process

PurposeThis study aims to analyse how consumers' perceptions of justice in a service recovery scenario vary, not only due to the company's actions but also due to the comparisons they make with the experiences of other consumers.Design/methodology/approachBased on justice theory, social comparison theory and referent cognitions theory, this study describes an eight-scenario experiment with better or worse interactional, procedural and distributive justice (better/worse interactional justice given to other consumers) × 2 (better/worse procedural justice given to other consumers) × 2 (better/worse distributive justice given to other consumers).FindingsFirst, consumers' perceptions of interactional, procedural and distributive justice vary based on the comparisons they draw with other consumers' experiences. Second, the results confirmed that interactional justice has a moderating effect on procedural justice, whereas procedural justice does not significantly moderate distributive justice.Originality/valueFirst, based on justice theory, social comparison theory and referent cognitions theory, we focus on the influence of the treatment received by other consumers on the consumer's perceived justice in the same service recovery situation. Second, it is proposed that the three justice dimensions follow a defined sequence through the service recovery phases. Third, to the best of the authors' knowledge, this study is the first to propose a multistage model in which some justice dimensions influence other justice dimensions.

I cannot miss it! The influence of supervisor bottom-line mentality on employee presenteeism

PurposeBased on the cognitive appraisal theory of emotion and social comparison theory, this study explores the mediating mechanism and boundary conditions of supervisor bottom-line mentality on employee presenteeism.Design/methodology/approachUsing hierarchical regression and bootstrapping, we test the hypothesized relationships with three-stage data from 265 full-time employees in China.FindingsSupervisor bottom-line mentality has a significant positive influence on employee presenteeism. Workplace fear of missing out plays a mediating role between supervisor bottom-line mentality and employee presenteeism. Employees’ status-striving motivation positively moderates the influence of supervisor bottom-line mentality on employees’ workplace fear of missing out and enhances the mediating effect of workplace fear of missing out.Practical implicationsPresenteeism can be detrimental to employees’ health, and ultimately leads to a decrease in organizational productivity. Research conclusions warn companies to be vigilant about supervisors’ bottom-line mentalities and to strengthen employee health management.Originality/valueThis study explains when and how supervisor bottom-line mentality affects employee health, contributing to the literature on the antecedents of presenteeism and enriching the research on supervisor bottom-line mentalities and employee and organizational outcomes. This study clarifies the emotional mechanisms and boundary conditions of supervisor bottom-line mentality affecting presenteeism.

The effects of task difficulty and presentation format on eye movements in risky choice

This study investigates the process of risky choice using eye tracking. We manipulate the complexity and presentation of lottery choices while measuring eye movements. In particular, we measure the frequencies of information collection procedures associated with established theories of risky choice, namely, expected utility theory and component comparison theory. These choice process patterns are sensitive to the difficulty of calculations and the presentation format of lotteries. Participants appear to transition between decision-making procedures depending on how lottery choices are presented and their complexity. They also attend to payoffs as the primary feature considered during component comparisons. Our findings emphasize the influence of information presentation on decision-making processes and decisions.

“Other Customer” Perception as Strategic Insight into Gen Z Consumer–Brand Identification and Purchase Behavior: A Mixed-Methods Approach

This study addresses the knowledge and research gaps regarding the “other customer” concept within the consumer–brand identification paradigm, drawing on branding and consumer behavior theories. We consider the “other customer” as the other customers of a brand from the perspective of an individual (focal customer) using or simply assessing the brand. We take into account both how the focal customer is influenced by other customers and how the focal customer perceives those other customers. While the concept is traditionally associated with the service industries, we expand its relevance to product brands. We use Social Identity Theory, Social Comparison Theory, and Other Customer Perception to identify how Gen Z focal consumers construct the image of other consumers of international brands at national level. A mixed-method approach was developed, bringing together MMCA (multimodal content analysis), perceptual mapping regarding brand image, and other customer perceived attributes, as well as a survey addressing (a) focal customer–other customer–brand identification perceived similarity and (b) perceived influence of sustainability on purchase behavior. MMCA was performed on a corpus of 236 other customer profiles of Nike and Adidas, consisting of a visual component and a textual description. The profiles were developed by a convenience sample of 147 Romanian Gen Z young adults. The results show that: (a) The national specificity and history of the brand can lead to diverging, local other customer profiles that might be accepted or rejected based on the desirability and similarity perceived by the focal customer; (b) The other customer is used as a form of self-evaluation carried out by the focal customer (Gen Z consistently evaluates downward some of the other customers as a way to curate self-esteem and avoid identification with profiles they consider undesirable or unsuitable for their own self-image); and (3) The connection perceivable at international level between brand sustainability as a purchase pre-condition and Gen Z customers is not universal and should be re-evaluated based on local realities. At theoretical level, this study contributes to the advancement of the “other customer” concept; at a practical level, it advocates for the inclusion of an “other customer communication strategy” into the marketing communication mix.

Impact of Social Media on Mental Health and Well-Being across Different Cultures and Age Groups in Nepal

Purpose: The aim of the study was to investigate impact of social media on mental health and well-being across different cultures and age groups
 Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries.
 Findings: Social media's impact on mental health and well-being varies across cultures and age groups. While it can foster social connection, information sharing, and creativity, it also contributes to negative outcomes such as social comparison, cyberbullying, and sleep disruption. Cultural norms influence how individuals engage with social media, and age-related factors shape susceptibility to its effects, highlighting the need for nuanced approaches to promoting digital well-being.
 Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Social comparison theory, cultural learning theory & uses and gratifications theory may be used to anchor future studies on impact of social media on mental health and well-being across different cultures and age groups. Develop culturally sensitive interventions and digital literacy programs that equip individuals with the skills to navigate social media platforms in ways that promote mental well-being. Advocate for evidence-based policies that protect vulnerable populations from the harmful effects of social media while promoting digital inclusion and empowerment.