Use Of Social Networking Technologies Research Articles

Conceptualization of information warfare in the context of the development of modern social networks

In this paper, the author examines the main theoretical directions in the study of information wars as a phenomenon of the modern political process in the world. Much attention is paid to the analysis of domestic approaches to determining the components of information wars, their goal-setting and mechanisms. Separately, the paper examines the phenomenon of social networks as the most important component of information warfare. The relevance of the research topic is determined by the increasing use of political propaganda in today's informational and increasingly digitalised world. The paper operationalises the concepts of "information warfare" and "political propaganda", studies technologies and methods of political influence, factors and stages of development of political propaganda, and describes the role of social networks as tools of political propaganda. As a result of the conducted research, the close relationship between social networks and information warfare technologies was confirmed. This is facilitated by the following factors: a large number of users, lack of control over the virtual space, imitation of real communication by virtual. The study conceptualised the main concepts in the works of Russian scholars to analyse the use of social networking technologies in political propaganda and information warfare. The relevance of the research topic is determined by the the fact that in the modern information and increasingly digitalizing world. The paper operationalizes the concepts of "information warfare" and "political propaganda", examines technologies and methods of political influence, factors and stages of development of political propaganda, and describes the role of social networks as tools of political propaganda.  

Social Networking Technologies in Promoting Language Socialization: EFL Teachers' Beliefs

Teachers' views influence how they choose pedagogical methods and how they execute teaching practices in the classroom. An investigation of teachers' views regarding the notion of "language socialization" (LS) and how it may be used to enhance pedagogical application via the use of social networking technologies (SNTs) in a Yemeni EFL setting is the subject of this study. In this study, 30 EFL teachers participated in a survey. Five males were interviewed out of the total number of participants. The findings revealed that the vast majority of teachers had good associations with LS as a teaching method and positive reactions to the use of SNTs in the EFL classrooms even though most participants had never used SNTs in their own classrooms. Because of a lack of access to and training in the usage of SNTs, teachers have been prevented from integrating them into their classrooms when teaching English. This suggests that instructors recognize the important functions that SNTs play in improving students’ language learning and socialization but that they lack first-hand experience and training in how to use them in their classrooms effectively. That there is a shortage of provision must be addressed as soon as possible to guarantee that Yemeni English as a foreign language teachers and their students have the chance to engage with new technologies in order to enhance their educational experiences critically.

EVALUATING PANDEMIC LED PANIC BUYING IN RETAIL SECTOR OF PAKISTAN

ABSTRACT
 
 Purpose: The study sought to evaluate the unique panic buying behavior of consumers to gain an understanding of the factors leading to this type of consumer behavior and its implications for retail marketers and policymakers.

Social network strategies in HIV medicine

The article contains a review of domestic and foreign literature on the use of social networking technologies — analysis of social networks and network interventions — in HIV medicine as promising, cost-effective and sustainable measures to improve HIV prevention and treatment outcomes in the framework of UNAIDS 90–90–90 program. The article described practical experience of using social network analysis to explain differences in the prevalence of HIV infection, including evaluation the behavioral risk levels among persons injecting drugs and the frequency of use of barrier contraceptives. The review reflects examples of the use of the most popular network interventions such as peer education and the Popular Opinion Leader for HIV prevention and for engaging people living with HIV into the medical monitoring and care. In addition, the experience of using innovative social network technologies in St. Petersburg in Russia is described.

Catching silver consumers in China: an integrated model of Chinese older adults' use of social networking technology

PurposeThis study aims to gain a more holistic understanding of Chinese older adults' perceptions and use of social networking technology.Design/methodology/approachGrounded in the extended unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT2) and expectation-confirmation (ECM) theory, the study proposed an integrated social media user engagement model and tested the model utilizing the data collected from 323 Chinese older adults.FindingsThe results reveal that half of the relationships in the proposed model were supported. Specifically, performance expectancy, facilitating conditions, social influence and hedonic motivation were all found to have a significant positive influence on perceived value. In addition, the results confirmed the positive impact of facilitating conditions on satisfaction. Both perceived value and satisfaction were also found to have a significant positive effect on Chinese older adults' intention to engage in social networking technology.Originality/valueChinese older adults are embracing Internet technologies at a greater rate; thus, understanding their perspectives of social networking technology offers valuable insights. This empirical study enhances understanding of the nature and strength of the relationships in the proposed integrated social media user engagement model in the context of Chinese older adults.

Towards a Taxonomy for Design Options of Social Networking Technologies in Sustainable Business Models

Social networking technologies such as social media, crowd concepts, or gamification represent key resources for the integration of customers, value network partners, and the community into sustainable business models. However, there is a lack of understanding of how sustainable enterprises apply such technologies. To close this gap, we propose a taxonomy of design options for social networking technologies in sustainable business models. Our taxonomy comprises eight dimensions that deal with relevant questions of the design of social networking technologies. When creating our taxonomy, we built on existing literature and use cases and involved experienced practitioners in the field of sustainable business models for the validation of our taxonomy. In this way, our study contributes to knowledge on the use of social networking technologies in sustainable business models and how such technologies influence the boundaries of sustainable business models. Likewise, we provide practical insights into the use of social networking technologies in sustainable business models.

'From guanxi to WeChat': new social networking technologies and digital entrepreneurship in Beijing

This paper explores how digital entrepreneurs utilise social networking technologies to develop and maintain networks in an increasingly digital environment. Despite the growing relevance and use of social networking technologies in entrepreneurship, few studies investigate the impact and outcome of social networking technologies in entrepreneurial processes. This paper addresses this research gap and explores the silent revolution instigated by new technological developments on contemporary networking practices. This paper is based on a case study involving 20 Beijing based digital entrepreneurs and presents empirical data contributing to the intersection of entrepreneurship and networking in the digital age. The paper applies a theoretical framework combining entrepreneurship and network theory, and offers new theoretical directions suited to explore networking in the digital dimension. The paper offers advanced insights to contemporary entrepreneurship and networking in the digital era, a field in need of future attention and extensive research.

Using social networking technologies to promote language socialisation: English as foreign language teachers' perceptions in Saudi Arabia

Teachers’ beliefs play a key role in their selection of language teaching methodologies; they affect teachers’ pedagogical practices and behaviours and are consequently integral in shaping the language learning classroom environment. This study investigated the beliefs of teachers of English as a foreign language (EFL) in relation to the concept of ‘language socialisation’ (LS) and its pedagogical application through the use of social networking technologies (SNTs) in a Saudi university language learning context. Data comprised a survey, which was administered to a total of 28 EFL teachers, of whom five male instructors were interviewed. Findings showed that the majority of teachers reported positive associations with LS as a teaching method, as well as positive responses towards the use of SNTs in the EFL classroom despite the fact that most participants had never used SNTs in their teaching. It can be concluded that, while the EFL teachers in this study acknowledged the potentially important role that SNTs could play in enhancing students’ language learning and socialisation, their lack of first-hand classroom experience with SNTs reflected the fact that there was little access to and training in the use of these technologies. This lack of provision needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency to ensure that Saudi EFL teachers and their students are given an opportunity to engage critically with innovative technologies that may enhance the quality of their pedagogical experiences.
 Keywords: English as foreign language teachers in higher education in Saudi Arabia, English as a foreign language, language socialisation, social networking technologies

SOCIAL NETWORKING TECHNOLOGIES IN MEDICINE

The article is a review of Russian and foreign publications on the use of social networking technologies in medicine. The analysis of social networks involves a special methodology that permits communications between the participants of social networks to be studied in a formalized way. The article presents the main terminology and history of the problem, as well as the interpretation of its key definitions (homogeneity, multiplicity, reciprocity/mutuality, bridge, density, distance, clustering coefficient, centrality). It is noted that the methods of social networking analysis are rarely used in the Russian healthcare system, compared to other countries. At the same time, existing social networks have an important impact on health-related behaviour, particularly in terms of contraception, the risk of contracting HIV infection and sexually transmitted diseases, smoking, obesity, physical activity and psychoactive drug consumption. It is important that social networks can be used to accelerate behavioural change, reduce undesirable consequences arising from the spread of negative behaviour, improve social changes and promote innovations. This technology referred to as network interventions, along with its methodology, is described in the present article. In addition, the results of studies into the application of this technology abroad are presented.Conclusion.The use of networking analysis in the domestic healthcare system, focused on Internet communities, can significantly improve the effectiveness of state programs aimed at improving population health.Conflict of interest: the authors declare no conflict of interest.

Using Social Networking Technologies for Postgraduate Research Supervision at a South African Rural-Based Historically Disadvantaged Institution

The use of social networking technologies (SNTs) for academic purposes has created new pedagogy opportunities, especially for well-resourced teaching and learning institutions. This article reports on a study that analysed the use of SNTs for postgraduate research supervision at a South African university classified as previously disadvantaged during the apartheid era. The current democratic government is trying to ameliorate the consequences of the Bantu Education Act by paying greater attention to historically disadvantaged institutions (HDIs). Although the study generated quantifiable data from a questionnaire, it largely employed the qualitative research approach and was underpinned by the connectivism theory of learning. A structured questionnaire and an interview schedule were used to collect quantifiable and qualitative data, respectively, from 32 postgraduate students who were enrolled for research by distance learning and eight lecturers who supervised postgraduate research. Quantifiable data from the structured questionnaire was analysed and plotted on graphs while qualitative data from the interviews was thematically analysed. The study findings revealed that the use of SNTs had positively impacted on postgraduate supervision and improved the success rate in students’ problem-solving skills and critical thinking at one rural-based HDI. From the study findings, it is recommended that more resources be channelled to the South African HDIs, to equip both their students and lecturers with the requisite knowledge and skills to effectively harness SNTs into research supervision, as well as teaching and learning, through deliberately designed online learning platforms, so that they can catch up with all-white historically advantaged institutions (HAIs) on research output.

THE ROLE OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY IN THE EFFECTIVENESS INCREASING OF SOCIAL WORK WITH YOUNG PEOPLE

Uncovers the need to develop new approachesto social work with young people through theuse of modern information technologies.Find the actual material, confirming the relevance of the research topic. Recommendations concerning the expansion of the contentof social orientation in the Internet, use of social networking technologies and computergames in order to form a high moral and Patriotic foundations of Russian society, attracting young people to social work, to assist them inaddressing a wide range of problems.Also provides guidance on the youth socialtourism development as a highly effective and popular with young people method of socialwork.

Tumbling Political Theory

Blogging in the classroom is not a new idea, but my students have tended to view the blogging assignment negatively, as a homework assignment that simply needed to be done each week and then forgotten until the next time they were required to visit the blog. With that in mind, I decided to employ a very different method of educational blogging – using the Tumblr platform – in which each student would take ownership of his or her own blog and which would make the best possible use of social networking technology to boost interaction among the students and engagement with the course material.

Social networking as a learning tool: Nursing students' perception of efficacy

The pedagogical use of social networking technology in education is of growing interest to academics as a potential teaching and learning tool. However, the educational use of social networking sites such as Facebook is still under explored. Nursing students often perceive bioscience subjects as difficult and lack self-efficacy in their ability to be successful. In this case, as the final assessment for a bioscience related subject approached, students became increasingly anxious about their ability to perform in the assessment item. To better support students, a Facebook group was formed. The aim of the study was to examine students' perceptions of the efficacy of using Facebook as a tool to support study. A convenience sample of BN students (n=533 across 3 campuses), enrolled in the subject Medications and Safe Administration, were invited to join. 373 BN students joined the group (70% of the student cohort). A solution-focussed orientation underpinned the management of the group. A descriptive, online survey was administered following release of students' results for the final assessment item to assess students' perceptions of how effective the group had been in helping them learn. The survey contained both quantitative and qualitative questions. Responses were received from 89 students (24%). Survey data were analysed descriptively and qualitative data were analysed thematically by the academic team. Students perceived the group to be an innovative method of study support that guided learning by enhancing self-efficacy in their learning. Students also described how it was useful in promoting peer learning and engaging with academics. Social media platforms such as Facebook have the potential to enhance students' self-efficacy in learning and can support students to develop their learning to a deeper level.

Facebook and socio-economic benefits in the developing world

Facebook is becoming increasingly important for the socio-economic development of countries across the globe as stakeholders engage in online social interaction and expand their reach for new products, services and markets to open up new revenue streams. Past studies have examined the environment that supports effective use of social networking technologies in the developed world. This study argues that the enabling environment in developed and developing countries may vary and therefore may impact Facebook adoption and its socio-economic benefits differently. The model integrates the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) and revised UTAUT. Using a structured questionnaire on a sample of 367 Facebook users, the results show that performance expectancy, effort expectancy, social influence and facilitating conditions (affordability and regulatory environment) are important factors that impact Facebook adoption in a developing country such as Malaysia. The study contributes to the literature by identifying that Facebook user's perceived socio-economic benefits act as a mediator between adoption and actual use behaviour (information seeking, socialisation, entertainment and business development). The findings also indicate that religion, ethnicity, language, gender and education are significant factors moderating the adoption-perception-use behaviour of Facebook. Theoretical and practical implications of the study are discussed in the paper.

Applying networked learning to improve learner interactions: A new paradigm of teaching and learning in ODL

Historically, much of online distance education has been plagued by issues such as a lack of participant interaction from learner-to-learner or learner-to-instructor. With the development of Web 2.0 and the recent emergence of social media sites, there are new opportunities for distance learners to practise 21st-century skills in collaboration, knowledge sharing and developing critical thinking. General interest regarding networked learning pedagogies has shifted to the use of social media tools as a replacement tool to enhance student learning in the Web 2.0 environment. The integration and use of social networking technology as a distance learning platform seems to hold promise for the distance learning mode. Many distance education institutions have traditionally employed a learning management platform (LMS), which in a broad sense does promote a certain exchange of information between learners. However, these platforms suffer from not performing in "real time" and are very much lesson-focused. In contrast, networked learning, which relies heavily on social networking media, can offer a better learning environment to students. The important feature is that it focuses on people (the learners) rather than simply the content, which, in turn, helps build a "learning community". This paper explores the pedagogical linkages between the networked learning approach and social networking media. A comprehensive technical literature review of the history of social media networking in the ODL environment and the primary role and impact on ODL are discussed and analysed. This exploratory paper provides some insight into the strategies ODL institutions could adopt to better understand the new paradigm of teaching and learning in a networked world.

Strategies to Improve Research Outcomes in the Field of Acquired Brain Injury: The Kevin Bacon Effect, Networking and Other Stories

This paper describes the added value that arises from capitalising on academic and social networks for researchers and people with acquired brain injury. First, it is proposed that brain injury researchers are connected within six degrees of separation. As a model, ‘The Oracle of Bacon’ demonstrates how any actor can be linked through his or her film roles to the actor Kevin Bacon within six steps. This concept is extrapolated to the existing networks of brain injury researchers. Capitalising on these networks can lead to potent and ground-breaking discoveries. The Clinical Centre of Research Excellence (CCRE) in Aphasia Rehabilitation provides an example of the benefits of networking and collaboration in the quest to improve the lives of people with aphasia. The CCRE uses multiple theoretical perspectives in studies evaluating the assessment and treatment of aphasia. It is utilising capacity building, knowledge translation and a community of practice to inform and expand research capacity. Networks can also be used to improve the communication of people with brain injury within their everyday environment. A recent study is described where communication partners were trained to improve the interactions of people with traumatic brain injury, which led to improvements in social networks and improved engagement in life activities. Finally, it is suggested that with the advances in e-communication, there is a great deal of scope for the use of social networking technologies in the assessment and treatment of people with acquired brain injury.

UN ANALISIS EXPLORATORIO DEL USO DE LAS REDES SOCIALES EN INTERNET COMO HERRAMIENTA PARA LA GESTIÓN DEL CONOCIMIENTO

Social interaction between individuals and companies has increased by means of the use of technology. However, little is known about how this interaction generates knowledge, creates new ideas and triggers innovation in enterprises. This raises a question: can the use of social networking technologies promote effective knowledge management within firms? In order to answer this question, we analyzed three small software development companies in the Valley of Toluca in Mexico, using qualitative research through in-depth interviews, and found several answers. After a literature review of previous research in the field, we chose seven variables (knowledge, information, innovation, impact of work with social networks, monitoring technology and organizational learning) to develop a questionnaire that was used to conduct the interviews that were applied to managers. We found that social networks affect technological knowledge construction, and are used to promote business, find employees and generate new ideas, among other findings.

Educational use of social networking technology in higher education

This study explored how social networking technology can be used to supplement face-to-face courses as a means of enhancing students' sense of community and, thus, to promote classroom communities of practice in the context of higher education. Data were collected from 67 students who enrolled in four face-to-face courses at two public universities in Taiwan. Findings indicated that the majority of participants developed strong feelings of social connectedness and expressed favorable feelings regarding their learning experiences in the classes where social networking sites were used as a supplementary tool. Learner difficulties and concerns of instructors about the educational use of social media are addressed with recommendations for future research and practice.

Being liked activates primary reward and midline self‐related brain regions

The experience of being liked is a key social event and fundamental to motivating human behavior, though little is known about its neural underpinnings. In this study, we examined the experience of being liked in a group of 15- to 24-year-old: a cohort for whom forming friendships has a great degree of salience, and for whom the explicit representation of relationships is familiar from their frequent use of social networking technologies. Study participants (n = 19) were led to believe that other participants had formed an opinion on their likability based on their appearance in a photograph, and during fMRI scanning viewed the photographs of people who had purportedly responded favorably to them (alongside photographs of control participants). Results indicated that being liked activated primary reward- and self-related regions, including the nucleus accumbens, midbrain (in an area corresponding to the ventral tegmentum), ventromedial prefrontal cortex, posterior cingulate cortex (including retrosplenial cortex), amygdala, and insula/opercular cortex. Participants showed greater activation of ventromedial prefrontal cortex and amygdala in response to being liked by people that they regarded highly compared to those they regarded less so. Finally, being liked by the opposite compared to the same gender activated the right caudal orbitofrontal cortex and right anterior insula: areas important for the representation of primary somatic rewards. This study demonstrates that neural response to being liked has features that are consistent with response to other rewarding events, but it has additional features that reflect its intrinsically interpersonal character.

Negotiating Selves: Exploring Cultures of Disclosure

If identity is a construct—and, more critically, a construct defined and developed through relationships with others in public and private spheres—then an understanding of the processes, mechanisms and platforms by which individuals disclose information about themselves is crucial in understanding the way identity, community and culture function, and the way individuals can intervene in the functioning of culture.