Use Of Virtual Social Networks Research Articles

Comparison of the criteria affecting the digital innovation performance of the European Union (EU) member and candidate countries with the entropy weight-TOPSIS method and investigation of its importance for SMEs

Digital innovation offers new competitive opportunities for the EU to achieve its digital strategies and innovation objectives. This study aims to show that the digital innovation performance of SMEs is related to criteria that affect countries' levels of digital technology adoption, digital transformation and innovation management. The digital innovation indicators used for this purpose are ICT, knowledge-intensive employment, university-industry collaborations on R&D, digital skills, patent applications, investments in new technologies, R&D expenditures, use of virtual social networks and cyber security. Research data were obtained from the Global Innovation Index (GII), Global Competitiveness Index (GCI) and Network Readiness Index (NRI). These data were analyzed with the Entropy Weight-TOPSIS method and EU and candidate countries were compared. In the results of the research analysis, Austria, Denmark and Germany took the first three places. In the ranking of these countries, ICT utilization, patent applications and R&D expenditures have high scores. The last three ranked countries are Turkey, Serbia and Croatia. Compared to EU members and other candidate countries, these three countries have the lowest scores in ICT use, patent applications, knowledge intensive employment, digital skills, investment in new technologies and university-industry cooperation in R&D.

An Ecological Inquiry on Young People's Suicidal Ideation at University: Individual, Relational and Cultural Factors and Their Interactions.

To understand the factors related to suicidal ideation in university students, we examined individual and microsystemic variables with an ecological model organizing bidirectional influences between different dimensions. Suicidal ideation, psychological distress, multidimensional self-concept, loneliness, community social support, life satisfaction, family functioning, bullying victimization, and problematic use of virtual social networks were measured in a sample of 376 Mexican university students (67% women) from 18 to 34 years of age (M = 20.8). Data were collected in March 2020, before mandatory confinement for COVID started in Mexico. Discriminant analyses showed that psychological distress, loneliness, self-concept, life satisfaction, family functioning, internet violence/rejection, and informal social support predicted belonging to high or no suicidal ideation groups with 88% accuracy. Only psychological distress and family self-concept predicted suicidal ideation in multilinear regression analyses. There were differences by gender in multilinear regression, with family self-concept significant for women and physical self-concept, but not family self-concept for boys. Conclusions: Early Suicide prevention in universities should include periodic screening of psychological distress, loneliness, and virtual social media use to identify students that need further evaluation and intervention. University-based strategies of mental health promotion that strengthen family relationships and the sense of community, including gender-sensitive orientation, could enhance the effect of protective factors.

The use of virtual social networks during the anticipatory phase to reduce perceived crime risk and increase trust in organizers

PurposeAcademics recently identified a lack of research regarding who should guide interactions in virtual social networks when risks appear. Data shows that organizers are usually less active than other users in this context, which can lead to negative reactions among attendees. This research examines if and how virtual social network communication guided by an official source (vs a nonofficial source vs control group) reduces perceived crime risks and trust before the event, leading to lower ambivalence and higher intention to attend. The study was conducted in Colombia, a country where many individuals face this type of risk.Design/methodology/approachFirst-year university students (N = 210) from Colombia were invited to a “Welcome Cocktail”. Two weeks before the cocktail, they were divided into three groups (70 per condition) to receive information. In Group 1, participants were invited to be part of a WhatsApp group administered by one of the organizers. In Group 2, they participated in a WhatsApp group administered by a student. Group 3 was the control (i.e. no virtual communication established before the event). One week after the meeting, they were gathered again and answered a questionnaire, which measured perceived crime risk, trust, ambivalence and intention to attend.FindingsParticipants in the WhatsApp group administered by an official source perceived lower risk and higher trust in the organizers, which led to lower ambivalence towards the event and higher intention to attend it. The relationship between ambivalence and intention to attend is moderated by the nationality of the participants (locals vs foreigners), such as, at equal levels of ambivalence, foreigners show lower intention to attend the event.Originality/valueThis is the first study that compares different approaches on a virtual social network to reduce perceived crime risk in event management. The results present new findings on how the presence of an official source can mitigate this risk, and which potential attendees (i.e. locals vs foreigners) are especially benefited from it. The findings are particularly useful for managers in regions where attendees face crime risks every day, and might feel low trust towards public and private institutions, such as in Colombia.

Relating Social Media Diffusion, Education Level and Cybersecurity Protection Mechanisms to E-Participation Initiatives: Insights from a Cross-Country Analysis.

Virtual Social Networks (VSN) act as a catalyst for the success of the active participation of citizens in information sharing, collaboration, and decision making. VSN based e-participation tools allow many-to-many communication and collaboration near real-time with users who might be in geographically dispersed locations. It provides a platform to voice opinions and perspectives and share them with others in new and innovative ways. Cybersecurity is a key area that needs to be considered for the success and continuous use of e-participation systems as it protects user privacy and helps to avoid scams, harassment, and misinformation. The intervening effect of cybersecurity protection mechanisms and citizens' education level on the relationship between VSN diffusion and e-participation initiatives is explored in the proposed research model presented in this paper. Moreover, this research model is explored for different stages of e-participation (e-information, e-consultation, and e-decision making) and the five dimensions of cybersecurity (legal, technical, organizational, capacity building, and cooperation). The findings indicate that improved VSN usage has increased e-participation (especially in e-consultation and e-decision making) as a result of improved cybersecurity protection and public education, highlighting the varying importance of different cybersecurity protection measures for three stages of e-participation. Thus, considering the recent problems like platform manipulation, misinformation and data breaches associated with the use of VSN for e-participation, this study emphasizes the importance of regulations, policies, partnerships, technical frameworks, and research to ensure cybersecurity, as well as the importance of education to enable the public to interact productively in e-participation activities. This study is performed using publicly available data from 115 countries and the research model is developed, drawing theoretical basis from the Protection Motivation Theory, Structuration Theory, and Endogenous Growth Theory. This paper recognizes the theoretical and practical implications, and limitations while recommending future research directions.

The impacts of virtual social networks on mental health: a literature review

The speed of information has never been so high and in the last 20 years, we have seen the digital advancement with the internet evolving at a frightening speed when compared to the evolution of books. The benefits achieved in various areas such as health, safety and especially in education are undeniable, such as what was seen in the COVID-19 pandemic with an important and significant renewal. However, the excessive use of virtual social networks has generated dependence, affected social relationships and impacted the mental health of children and the elderly. In the light of these observations, several authors question the impacts of excessive use of virtual social networks on the mental health of their users. Objective: The objective of this article was to relate the impacts of excessive use of social networks on the mental health of its users. Methodology: The methodology of this article was a qualitative literature review, with a selection of articles, monographs, books, published in a time period from 2011 to 2023. Conclusion: It is concluded in this study that the relationship between excessive uses of virtual social networks results in technological dependence, distancing from social life, increased levels of anxiety, depression and cyber bullying. Affecting the mental health of users, regardless of their age groups, and multidisciplinary psychological support seems to be the only strategy to correct excesses in the use of networks.

Designing a model for using basic mobile social networks in identifying adolescents

Background and Aim: The most important issue of adolescence is gaining identity. Identity is considered as a process of coherence of individual changes, social demands and expectations for the future. The purpose of this study is to design a model for the use of virtual social networks in identifying adolescents. Methods: This research has been done in the framework of a quantitative approach and using the survey research method. For this purpose, 385 adolescents aged 15 to 18 years in Tehran in 2020 were selected by multi-stage cluster sampling. A questionnaire was used to collect data. Results: According to the findings of the present study, the most use of social networks of adolescents is for the purpose of acquiring knowledge and in the second place for the purpose of entertainment. The level of trust and influence of male students from social networks is higher according to the average rankings. The stability and strength of the family is more than other dimensions of identity referred. The degree of influence of social networks has a significant relationship with family structure. The influence of artists and actors and social networks is more after choosing a job and activity. Conclusion: The results of the present study indicate that there is a relationship between the use of mobile social networks and the identification of adolescents.

Redes sociais virtuais e tecnologias em saúde no quotidiano de usuários e famílias: cuidado e promoção da saúde

Abstract This study aimed to understand the use of technosociality in the daily lives of the Family Health Strategy clients during the COVID-19 pandemic for care and health promotion. This holistic, qualitative, multiple case study based on the Comprehensive Everyday Life Sociology was conducted with 61 clients from three Brazilian municipalities, two in Minas Gerais and one in Santa Catarina. The sources of evidence were the open-ended individual interview and field notes. We adopted thematic content analysis to analyze data. The use of virtual social networks and health technologies for care, monitoring, prevention of risks and conditions, health promotion, and access to information is found in clients’ daily lives. We highlight the importance of support and solidarity networks. The infodemic and misinformation about COVID-19 denote uncertainty about the veracity of information and concern about mental health. We should pay close attention to using technologies and social networks for health promotion, enabling strategies to enhance their use and minimize the indicated harms.

Loneliness in Adolescents Against the Background of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Risk Factor

Loneliness in Adolescents Against the Background of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Risk Factor Abstract. On the one hand, loneliness is the subjective experience of inadequate social integration and support. It is a normal phenomenon that can be dealt with in an emotional and action-oriented way within the framework of individual development. On the other hand, chronic loneliness goes hand in hand with considerable suffering, reduced quality of life, and an increased risk of psychological and somatic diseases. In the context of current social developments associated with the fragmentation of social networks and programmatic individualism, we discuss an increase in the problem of loneliness, especially among young people. Interventions to reduce the experience of loneliness are effective if, in addition to making social offers, they focus on the dynamics common in chronic loneliness (low self-esteem, evaluation of neutral communication as devaluing, etc.). There is no evidence that the use of virtual social networks persistently reduces feelings of loneliness in young people. In addition, the question arises on what basis of shared values and goals social integration of young people who experience loneliness will be possible in the future. According to the results of the first systematic surveys on the psychosocial consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, we must assume that the loneliness problem of young people will continue to gain relevance because of the associated massive restrictions on real social life.

Virtual Social Network Communication during the Covid-19 Pandemic According to Muslim Community in Sabah (2019-2021)

Nowadays, Virtual social network communication is one of medium technological advancement in the field of information and communication. The use of virtual communication risen since the COVID-19 started in Wuhan 2019. The pandemic has changed the lifestyle of the Muslim community in Sabah, especially related to the use of virtual social media such as Facebook, Instagram, Whatsapp and Twitter. The use of virtual social networks interrupted the local community stability communication life if it usage does not paralleled to ethics, religion and culture sensitivity. This study is a descriptive study that uses a quantitative design and questionnaires as it research instruments. The target respondents for this study are the Muslim communities in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah and it suburbs. The results of the study found that the influence of virtual social network communication media had a great impact on the culture, religion and values ​​of the Muslim community in Sabah. Hence, each Muslim individual needs to have strong intellectual values ​​to live in the world technological change.

Association Between Virtual Social Networks and Health-Promoting Lifestyles in Medical University Students

Background: Medical students make extensive use of virtual social networks, especially in the era of the coronavirus pandemic, so that their health-promoting behaviors may be adversely affected. Objective: This study aimed to determine the relationship between the use of virtual social networks and a health-promoting lifestyle among postgraduate medical students. Materials & Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among post-graduate students studying at Tehran University of Medical Sciences in 2020. A total of 240 students were included using quota sampling method. Data were collected via valid and reliable questionnaires consisting of socio-demographic information, health-promoting lifestyle Profile-II, and virtual social networks utilization. The spearman test was employed to evaluate the association between virtual social networks and lifestyle. Results: The mean age of participants was 32.21±7.45 and 75.4% were female. The mean score of lifestyle was 138.28±21.18, while the mean score of virtual social networks utilization was (64.55±11.40). There was a statistically significant correlation between utilization of virtual social networks and total score of lifestyle (r=-0.189, P=0.003), as well as physical activity (r=-0.232, P=0.001), nutrition (r=-0.179, P=0.005), and self-actualization (r=-0.154 , P=0.017) of health promoting lifestyle. Linear regression model showed that utilization of internet and social networks (B=-0.37, P=0.02), utilization in the time between 12 pm and 8 am (B=-14.3, P=0.011) were independently associated with Health Promoting Lifestyle score. Conclusion: This study showed that more than half of students had a healthy lifestyle (55%). The average score of virtual social networks used by students was high. Utilization of internet and the time of utilization were independent predictors of Health Promoting Lifestyle score.

Explaining the effects of language learners' use of virtual social networks on their academic engagement with PLS approach

Explaining the effects of language learners' use of virtual social networks on their academic engagement with PLS approach

The Impact of Virtual Social Networks on Teaching and Learning

Today, social networks have become an unseparable part of human society and because of the facilities they provide to users, they are very popular and are used every day. Social media, through online tools, group critical thought, team-centered project-based learning, and group problem-solving, and their power lies not only in producing and sharing knowledge among its members, but also in reflecting and producing new knowledge. The use of virtual social networks in mobile education and learning in various forms increases innovation in education. Audiences can perform through the knowledge production, thinking, disseminating knowledge and tolerating criticism. As the results and findings of this study showed, one of the main features of using social networks in teaching and learning is the emphasis on participatory and interactive learning, individual communication and classroom interaction, and the possibility of discussion with all classmates, the possibility of understanding. And provides acceptance of the opinion of others and the formation of knowledge based on social agreements. Also, using this tool solves the problem of lack of time and lack of facilities and it can be claimed that by using this method, it is possible to increase productivity in the field of education and learning.

The Impact of Social Networks on the Development of Students’ Social Competence

The article analyzes the possibilities which virtual social networks provide for the development of youth’s social competence. The authors analyze the results of the survey on the students’ use of virtual social networks for communication. To achieve the purpose of the research and to determine the essence and significance of social competence we used methods of analysis, synthesis and generalization of research works; the method of observation was used to identify the peculiarities of communication between young people in social networks; the method of questionnaire was used to collect information about the students’ preferences regarding the choice of specific virtual social networks for communication. The results of observations and questionnaires confirmed the suggestion that the time young people spend on online communication and surfing the Internet is increasing. The survey results of 107 students studying in Year 1-4 at the pedagogical university (Ukraine) let us make a conclusion that they often stay on virtual social networks browsing them from 2 to 4 times a day (51,4%). Almost a third of students are constantly on social networks. The most popular ones appeared to be Instagram (83,1%) and Facebook (28%). With the help of social networks students actively communicate with group mates (80,4%), friends and family (78,5%). Further research is planned to consider the ways how to avoid the negative effects of the Internet on students’ personality.

VThe Effect of Excessive Use of Virtual Social Networks on the Academic Performance of Bamyan University Students: The Mediating Role of Qualityof Sleep

Background: The social networks are used today as one of the important tools in establishing communication between people. In addition to the advantages, it can also have several disadvantages and problems, the negative effects of which can be seen on the academic performance of students. Objective: This study was designed to investigate the role of excessive use of virtual social networks on the academic performance of Bamyan University students with a mediating role of quality of sleep. Methodology: The present study has a descriptive-correlational design. A total of 180 Bamyan University students (90 male and 90 female) were selected by convenience sampling method and responded to the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Questionnaire (Buysee et al., 1989), Yang Internet and Social Network Addiction Questionnaire, Demographic Questions, and GPA of last semester. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation test and hierarchical regression analysis by means of SPSS-24. Results: The results showed that the excessive use of social networks had a significant negative correlation with academic performance and predicts it inversely (T = -9.338, ß = - 730) and There is also a significant relationship between excessive use of social networks and quality of sleep (T = 15.726, ß = .763). There was a significant relationship between social and sleep quality (T = 15.726, ß = .763). But sleep quality could not play a mediating role between excessive use of social networks and students' academic achievement and showed that this relationship is not significant (T = -. 174, ß = -. 014). Conclusion: Excessive use of social networks has negative effects on students' academic achievement and quality of sleep. For this purpose, it is necessary to manage the use of social networks for optimal use in order to achieve high academic achievement and good quality of sleep.

The Role of Cyberspace Use on Lifestyle Promoting Health and Coronary Anxiety in Young Peopl

Objectives: The most critical issue that the young generation faces is cyberspace, which has increased irrationally with the coronavirus outbreak. The present study aimed to identify cyberspace’s role in lifestyle, promoting health, and coronary anxiety in young people. Methods: The research method is descriptive post-event. The community included all undergraduate students of Tabriz Azad University, of which 307 people participated in the study through an online call answer to a Researcher-Made Questionnaires, which designed to measure the use of cyberspace, Corona Anxiety Questionnaire and the Lifestyle Promoters. Data were analyzed by multivariate analysis of variance and Post Hoc test. Results: The findings show the components of lifestyle promoting health, subscales of spiritual growth (P=0.001), responsibility (P=0.016), interpersonal relationships (p=0.033), exercise (P=0.009) as well as the overall score of lifestyle (P=0.001); And one of the components of Corona Anxiety is a subscale of psychological symptoms (P=0.001) and also the total score of Corona Anxiety (P=0.001) in groups related to the use of cyberspace is significant, And students who spent more than four hours using cyberspace scored lower on health-promoting lifestyles and higher on coronary anxiety components. Conclusion: The excessive use of cyberspace has played a negative role in improving the health of students. Excessive and very little use of cyberspace also increases students’ anxiety, and in this regard, it is suggested that students manage the use of virtual social networks.

The Role of Twitter During the COVID-19 Crisis: A Systematic Literature Review

At the end of 2019, COVID-19 (Coronavirus 2019) emerged in Wuhan, China, and spread rapidly worldwide. The use of virtual social networks, especially Twitter, has increased due to the present condition. The purpose of the present systematic literature review is to review the investigations on Twitter's role in the COVID-19 crisis. For this purpose, an appropriate search strategy was used to extract the studies conducted in the Web of Science and PubMed databases. In the end, 24 articles were reviewed. The results indicate that in the period of the COVID-19 pandemic, the content and tweets posted on Twitter were affected by this crisis, and various people such as the general public, health professionals, and politicians were sharing opinions, emotions, personal experience, and educational content about exposure to COVID-19 on this social media. Therefore, the speed of providing information to people has been one of the main advantages of Twitter during the crisis of COVID-19; however, the risk of using invalid information without scientific citation is also one of the most important concerns of using Twitter among people as well as health and governmental organizations. Thus, users should evaluate information accuracy more carefully and pay attention to the quality and validity of information before employing or sharing it. Governments and professionals can also prevent this disease's contagion even in similar future crises by employing Twitter correctly in the period of crisis and using the useful experience gained from applying social networks in the outbreak of COVID-19.

Economic Efficiency in the Tunisian Olive Oil Sector

This study aims to assess the economic efficiency of Tunisian olive oil firms in order to identify the organizational and technological variables that are directly associated with greater efficiency. The Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and fuzzy sets Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) method were used to achieve this. We find the managing director’s education level and information and communication technologies (ICT) training, the longevity of the company in inverse relationship with efficiency, the company’s presence on and use of virtual social networks, and the outsourcing of ICT management in combination have significant explanatory power in the companies that display greater economic efficiency.

Estudio sociológico sobre el efecto de las características de la modernidad en la identidad étnica

La etnicidad y la nacionalidad son tipos de identidades sociales modernas que han sido reformadas después de ser globalizadas. Esta investigación busca estudiar el papel de las características de la modernidad en la identidad étnica. Los datos de la investigación se recopilaron mediante un cuestionario elaborado por un investigador, y 384 estudiantes de la Universidad Islámica Azad, Teherán North Branch fueron seleccionados por muestreo aleatorio no probabilístico en 2019. Los resultados muestran la relación significativa entre la identidad étnica y las características de la modernidad, estilo de vida moderno (r = -0.66), identidad moderna (r = -0.74), socialización moderna (r = -0.40) y uso intencionado de redes sociales virtuales (r = 0.31). En otras palabras, las identidades étnicas se debilitan por la tendencia de los participantes a los patrones y valores beneficiosos e individualistas occidentales adaptados con la ley, evitando y subestimando las normas religiosas y tradicionales. Mientras tanto, las redes sociales virtuales como herramienta de modernidad han sido una oportunidad para expresar las demandas étnicas políticas y sociales, en particular los hombres de la frontera como los kurdos y los turcos. Principalmente, han aparecido en forma de movimientos dramáticos y tensiones interétnicas que al seguir los elementos de la modernidad finalmente disminuyen las pertenencias étnicas y la tendencia a la identidad global, y solo el uso deliberado y consciente del espacio virtual puede aportar integridad y vitalidad a la identidad étnica. Además, ha unificado, despertado y demandado a las etnias en todas las fronteras nacionales debido a la historia y la identidad mutuas. Según los resultados de la investigación, la pertenencia étnica de los estudiantes kurdos y turcos fue mayor que la de otros, y estas etnias tienen una conciencia más completa sobre su historia, épica, tierra, costumbres étnicas, rituales, industria, estilo de ropa y cocina local. Además, se adhirieron al matrimonio, la asociación y la cooperación con su gente y estaban orgullosos de sus nombres nativos.

The Impact of Facebook on Serbian Society

ABSTRACT The paper discusses the virtual social networks as new forms of sociability, with a special focus on Facebook and its impact on the everyday life of citizens in Serbia. The focus of the paper is on identifying social changes that result from the massive use of virtual social networks, as well as at the participants themselves, through which these changes are implemented, but also at those who are not, but who feel the indirect impact of social networks. The research was carried out on a sample of 1109 respondents. The sample consisted of experimental and control groups. The experimental sample, consisting of people who use Facebook, included 954 respondents. The control sample, consisting of people who do not use Facebook, included 155 respondents. The paper presents the results we obtained on the basis of the research on the impact of Facebook on the everyday life of citizens in Serbia.

A Statistical Analysis on The Effects of a Nation’s Individual Network Usage on A Business’s Capacity for Innovation

Correction: At the request of the author, on 17th October 2022, the name of the author was changed FROM Charles Alba TO Muhammad C. Alba. In this paper, we aimed to look at a Nations Individual Network usage and its effects on a business’s capacity for innovation. We do so through the utilization of data from 2016 World Economic Forum (WEF) Networked Readiness Index report. In order to best determine the effects of a Nations Individual Network usage on a business’s capacity for innovation, we create the most suitable supervised Machine Learning model through stepwise regression. We did so with the use of the numerous variables in the 6th pillar of the Network Readiness report, which reflect a nations individual network usage, against the Capacity for innovation Index found in the 7th pillar of the Network Readiness Index. Of the 6 initial prior variables in the 6th Pillar reflecting Individual Network Usage, stepwise regression outputs a best fit and an appropriate model that contains predictors “Use of virtual social networks”, “Rate of Mobile broadband subscriptions” and “Rate of Mobile phone subscriptions” as significant factors in predicting a Business’s Capacity for innovation. The results are utilized to make policy-proposals to both governments and businesses with the aim of improving a nations Business’s Capacity for Innovation. Int. J. Soc. Sc. Manage. Vol. 7, Issue-3: 113-130