an article by Seyi Olalekan Olawuyi (University of Fort Hare, Alice, South Africa) published in International Journal of Social Economics Volume 46 Issue 7 (2019)
Abstract
Purpose
Many nations in Sub-Saharan Africa, including Nigeria have initiated programmes targeted at addressing food insecurity, but without any major significant breakthrough. This necessitates the call for inclusion of social network institutional framework into the food and nutrition security policy of many developing countries. This is touted as an important social safety net needed for farming households’ economic advancement and welfare. Consequent on this, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the importance of social networks in building resilience against food insecurity among farmers in Oyo State, Nigeria.
Design/methodology/approach
Data collected from a sample of 297 smallholder farmers during 2015/2016 agricultural production season were analysed using descriptive statistics to describe farmers’ notable characteristics. However, Foster–Greer–Thorbecke indices vis-à-vis food consumption expenditure-metrics technique was used to evaluate the food security profile of the respondents. Similarly, ordinary least square and two-stage least square (2SLS) models were applied to investigate the effects and “reverse causality” in the social networks food security model.
Findings
The study findings indicated that about 48.15 per cent of the smallholder farmers are food insecure. Similarly, the study revealed that age (p<0 .01="" 2sls="" aggregate="" and="" br="" causality="" components="" consumption="" contributions="" education="" effect="" estimation="" executive="" expenditure="" family="" farming="" food="" formal="" groups="" households.="" households="" importantly="" in="" indicated="" made="" marital="" networks="" non-existence="" non-food="" number="" of="" p="" persons="" reverse="" security="" significant="" social="" status.="" status="" the="" to="" years="">
Social implications
There is an urgent need for pragmatic policies that support systematic and organized social groups and networks formation in the rural/agrarian areas across Nigeria.
Originality/value
A widely accepted view of economic theory posits that traditional capitals (physical, economic/financial and human) drive households’ welfare including food security status. However, this study has established the relevance of social networks as an important component of human well-being. Apparently, this study also established the exogeneity of social networks in the framework of households’ food security status.
<0 .01="" 2sls="" aggregate="" and="" br="" causality="" components="" consumption="" contributions="" education="" effect="" estimation="" executive="" expenditure="" family="" farming="" food="" formal="" groups="" households.="" households="" importantly="" in="" indicated="" made="" marital="" networks="" non-existence="" non-food="" number="" of="" p="" persons="" reverse="" security="" significant="" social="" status.="" status="" the="" to="" years="">
<0 .01="" 2sls="" aggregate="" and="" br="" causality="" components="" consumption="" contributions="" education="" effect="" estimation="" executive="" expenditure="" family="" farming="" food="" formal="" groups="" households.="" households="" importantly="" in="" indicated="" made="" marital="" networks="" non-existence="" non-food="" number="" of="" p="" persons="" reverse="" security="" significant="" social="" status.="" status="" the="" to="" years="">
Showing posts with label social_networks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label social_networks. Show all posts
Friday, 13 September 2019
Friday, 16 August 2019
Public transit infrastructure and urban social connectedness
a column by Theresa Kuchler and Johannes Stroebel for VOX: CEPR’s Policy Portal
The mixing of people and ideas in cities is at the heart of the ‘agglomeration externalities’ that drive the high productivity of cities. While public transit infrastructure is thought to help different people living in different parts of the same city to interact with one another, the lack of large-scale data has made it difficult to study.
This column explores the link between public transit and social connectedness in New York City. It finds the first suggestive evidence that New York City’s public transit system plays an important role in enabling social ties to be formed and maintained across geographic distances.
Continue reading
The mixing of people and ideas in cities is at the heart of the ‘agglomeration externalities’ that drive the high productivity of cities. While public transit infrastructure is thought to help different people living in different parts of the same city to interact with one another, the lack of large-scale data has made it difficult to study.
This column explores the link between public transit and social connectedness in New York City. It finds the first suggestive evidence that New York City’s public transit system plays an important role in enabling social ties to be formed and maintained across geographic distances.
Continue reading
Thursday, 8 August 2019
‘‘They’re Going to Smoke Anyway’: A Qualitative Study of Community Mental Health Staff and Consumer Perspectives on the Role of Social and Living Environments in Tobacco Use and Cessation
an article by Laura Twyman (Tabacco Control Unit, Cancer Council NSW, Woolloomooloo, NSW, Australia; University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia), Carla Cowles (Human Capital Alliance, Potts Point, NSW, Australia), Scott C. Walsberger (Tabacco Control Unit, Cancer Council NSW, Woolloomooloo, NSW, Australia), Amanda L. Baker and Billie Bonevski (University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia) and the Tackling Tobacco Mental Health Advisory Group published by Frontiers in Psychiatry: Smoking and Schizophrenia research
Background
Addressing the high prevalence of tobacco use experienced by people with severe mental illness (SMI) requires consideration of the influence of wider cultural, socioeconomic and environmental factors. This qualitative study aimed to examine the impact of social and living environments on tobacco use and cessation by people with SMI accessing community managed mental health services. The perspectives of both staff and consumers with SMI were explored.
Methods
Semi-structured focus groups were undertaken with a purposive sample of community mental health staff and consumers from three sites in three major cities in NSW, Australia. Two sites provided outreach support, and one site provided residential support. Data were collected (2017–2018) until saturation was reached. Focus groups were audio-recorded and transcribed, and thematic analysis was conducted.
Results
Thirty-one staff and 17 consumers participated separately in six focus groups. Themes identified by staff included a degree of fatalism, conceptualising tobacco use as choice rather than addiction and tensions between cessation support and broader models of care. Staff viewed smoke-free home and mental health service policies as effective at promoting quitting but contradictory to recovery-oriented models of care. Consumers identified smoking as an integral part of life and social networks, as a way of maintaining control and lack of social support to quit as key themes. While many consumers reported smoking inside the home, others described enforcing smoke-free rules.
Conclusion
Social and living environments played an integral role in tobacco use and cessation for both staff and consumers. The role of community managed mental health organisations in addressing tobacco use within social and living environments was not strongly supported by staff and sometimes seen as antithetical to recovery-oriented models of care. Potential ways to address this include education and training for prospective and current community mental health organisation staff highlighting the synergy between the recovery-oriented model and provision of preventive health support.
Full text (HTML) with access to (PDF 11pp) for download
Background
Addressing the high prevalence of tobacco use experienced by people with severe mental illness (SMI) requires consideration of the influence of wider cultural, socioeconomic and environmental factors. This qualitative study aimed to examine the impact of social and living environments on tobacco use and cessation by people with SMI accessing community managed mental health services. The perspectives of both staff and consumers with SMI were explored.
Methods
Semi-structured focus groups were undertaken with a purposive sample of community mental health staff and consumers from three sites in three major cities in NSW, Australia. Two sites provided outreach support, and one site provided residential support. Data were collected (2017–2018) until saturation was reached. Focus groups were audio-recorded and transcribed, and thematic analysis was conducted.
Results
Thirty-one staff and 17 consumers participated separately in six focus groups. Themes identified by staff included a degree of fatalism, conceptualising tobacco use as choice rather than addiction and tensions between cessation support and broader models of care. Staff viewed smoke-free home and mental health service policies as effective at promoting quitting but contradictory to recovery-oriented models of care. Consumers identified smoking as an integral part of life and social networks, as a way of maintaining control and lack of social support to quit as key themes. While many consumers reported smoking inside the home, others described enforcing smoke-free rules.
Conclusion
Social and living environments played an integral role in tobacco use and cessation for both staff and consumers. The role of community managed mental health organisations in addressing tobacco use within social and living environments was not strongly supported by staff and sometimes seen as antithetical to recovery-oriented models of care. Potential ways to address this include education and training for prospective and current community mental health organisation staff highlighting the synergy between the recovery-oriented model and provision of preventive health support.
Full text (HTML) with access to (PDF 11pp) for download
Thursday, 30 May 2019
Social networks, accessed and mobilised social capital and the employment status of older workers: A case study
an artticle by Kaberi Gayen (Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA; Dhaka University, Bangladesh), Robert Raeside (Edinburgh Business School, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, UK) and Ronald McQuaid (Department of Management Work and Organisation, University of Stirling, UK) published in International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy Volume 39 Issue 5/6 (2019)
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the importance of social networks, and the social capital embedded in them, to secure employment if someone had become unemployed after the age of 50 years and to reveal the process of accessing and mobilising that social capital.
Design/methodology/approach
A case study of a Scottish labour market was undertaken which involved an interview-based survey of those who became unemployed in their early 50’s and tried to regain employment. The interview had structured and unstructured parts which allowed both quantitative and qualitative analysis to compare those who were successful in regaining work with those who were not. The uniqueness of the paper is the use of social network components while controlling for other socio-economic and demographic variables in job search of older workers.
Findings
Those older people who were unemployed and, returned to employment (reemployed) had a higher proportion of contacts with higher prestige jobs, their job searching methods were mainly interpersonal and the rate of finding their last job via their social networks was higher than those who remained unemployed. Both groups mobilised social capital (MSC), but those reemployed accessed higher “quality” social capital. “Strong ties”, rather than “weak ties”, were found to be important in accessing and mobilising social capital for the older workers who returned to employment.
Research limitations/implications
This work is limited to a local labour market and is based on a small but informative sample. However, it does show that policy is required to allow older people to enhance their social networks by strengthening the social capital embedded in the networks. The results support the use of intermediaries as bridges to help compensate for older people who have weak social networks. Besides the policy implications, the paper also has two distinct research implications. First, the use of social network component to the existing literature of older workers’ job search. Second, exploring the type and relational strength with network members to explain older workers’ reemployment.
Practical implications
The paper illustrates that how accessed and MSC can be measured.
Social implications
As populations age, this work points to an approach to support older people to re-enter employment and to include them in society.
Originality/value
The paper extends social network and employment literature to fill gaps on how older people require to both access and mobilise social capital. The importance of “strong ties” in the reemployment of older workers contrasts with much of the literature on younger workers where the “strength of weak ties” so far has been regarded as essential for successful job search. Measures are forwarded to reveal the relevance of social capital. The policy value of the work is in suggesting ways to facilitate older people re-enter or remain in work and hence sustain their well-being.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the importance of social networks, and the social capital embedded in them, to secure employment if someone had become unemployed after the age of 50 years and to reveal the process of accessing and mobilising that social capital.
Design/methodology/approach
A case study of a Scottish labour market was undertaken which involved an interview-based survey of those who became unemployed in their early 50’s and tried to regain employment. The interview had structured and unstructured parts which allowed both quantitative and qualitative analysis to compare those who were successful in regaining work with those who were not. The uniqueness of the paper is the use of social network components while controlling for other socio-economic and demographic variables in job search of older workers.
Findings
Those older people who were unemployed and, returned to employment (reemployed) had a higher proportion of contacts with higher prestige jobs, their job searching methods were mainly interpersonal and the rate of finding their last job via their social networks was higher than those who remained unemployed. Both groups mobilised social capital (MSC), but those reemployed accessed higher “quality” social capital. “Strong ties”, rather than “weak ties”, were found to be important in accessing and mobilising social capital for the older workers who returned to employment.
Research limitations/implications
This work is limited to a local labour market and is based on a small but informative sample. However, it does show that policy is required to allow older people to enhance their social networks by strengthening the social capital embedded in the networks. The results support the use of intermediaries as bridges to help compensate for older people who have weak social networks. Besides the policy implications, the paper also has two distinct research implications. First, the use of social network component to the existing literature of older workers’ job search. Second, exploring the type and relational strength with network members to explain older workers’ reemployment.
Practical implications
The paper illustrates that how accessed and MSC can be measured.
Social implications
As populations age, this work points to an approach to support older people to re-enter employment and to include them in society.
Originality/value
The paper extends social network and employment literature to fill gaps on how older people require to both access and mobilise social capital. The importance of “strong ties” in the reemployment of older workers contrasts with much of the literature on younger workers where the “strength of weak ties” so far has been regarded as essential for successful job search. Measures are forwarded to reveal the relevance of social capital. The policy value of the work is in suggesting ways to facilitate older people re-enter or remain in work and hence sustain their well-being.
Tuesday, 2 April 2019
General strain theory of Internet addiction and deviant behaviour in social networking sites (SNS)
an article by AR Mubarak (Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia) and Steve Quinn (Swinburne University of Technology Faculty of Science Engineering and Technology, Melbourne, Australia) published in Journal of Information, Communication and Ethics in Society Volume 17 Issue 1 (2019)
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to explore the association between internet addiction and problem behaviours on social networking sites (SNS) using the general strain theory (Agnew, 1992).
Design/methodology/approach
Using the purposive sampling method, a survey was conducted, which collected data from 414 college students studying in two public universities in South Australia. The Delphi method was used to develop the questionnaire used for the survey.
Findings
'Results of this research indicated a significant association between internet addiction and problem behaviours on SNS. Respondents who had engaged in problem behaviours on SNS had high internet addiction test scores (Young, 1998). On the basis of this finding, the present research argues that the general strains associated with the suffering of newly emerging challenges such as internet addiction might contribute to victimisation and deviant and problem behaviours on SNS in specific and possibly in cyberspace in general.
Research limitations/implications
Results of the present study need to be interpreted cautiously due to many limitations it has. This research is a cross-sectional study, which might not adequately explain the associations between internet addiction and problem behaviours on SNS. Longitudinal studies involving larger samples might have added significant value to this study. The present study uses purposive sampling technique, which has limited its generalizability, and its findings may not be generalised to large populations.
Originality/value
Limited information is available pertaining to the association between problem behaviours on SNS and internet addiction. The present study is a pioneering effort, which argues that rapid popularity of SNS is likely to increase internet addiction and the frustration of not getting proper treatment for their internet addiction might lead to deviant behaviours on SNS.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to explore the association between internet addiction and problem behaviours on social networking sites (SNS) using the general strain theory (Agnew, 1992).
Design/methodology/approach
Using the purposive sampling method, a survey was conducted, which collected data from 414 college students studying in two public universities in South Australia. The Delphi method was used to develop the questionnaire used for the survey.
Findings
'Results of this research indicated a significant association between internet addiction and problem behaviours on SNS. Respondents who had engaged in problem behaviours on SNS had high internet addiction test scores (Young, 1998). On the basis of this finding, the present research argues that the general strains associated with the suffering of newly emerging challenges such as internet addiction might contribute to victimisation and deviant and problem behaviours on SNS in specific and possibly in cyberspace in general.
Research limitations/implications
Results of the present study need to be interpreted cautiously due to many limitations it has. This research is a cross-sectional study, which might not adequately explain the associations between internet addiction and problem behaviours on SNS. Longitudinal studies involving larger samples might have added significant value to this study. The present study uses purposive sampling technique, which has limited its generalizability, and its findings may not be generalised to large populations.
Originality/value
Limited information is available pertaining to the association between problem behaviours on SNS and internet addiction. The present study is a pioneering effort, which argues that rapid popularity of SNS is likely to increase internet addiction and the frustration of not getting proper treatment for their internet addiction might lead to deviant behaviours on SNS.
Thursday, 8 November 2018
Tolerating and managing extreme speech on social media
an article by Brett G. Johnson (University of Missouri, Columbia, USA) published in Internet Research Volume 28 Issue 5 (2018)
Abstract
Purpose
This study seeks to understand the opinions of internet users toward extreme speech on social media platforms and their willingness to censor such speech. The purpose of this paper is to examine how norms of freedom of expression are changing in an online communication environment dominated by these platforms.
Design/methodology/approach
Four focus groups were conducted in this study. Participants needed to use at least one social media platform daily. Groups were homogeneous in terms of race and gender: African-American females, African-American males, white females and white males.
Findings
Participants in general did not report a strong willingness to censor extreme speech on social media platforms. Rather, they expressed apathy and cynicism toward both their own and social media companies’ ability to combat extreme speech and make online discourse more positive. Female participants tended to value the overall health of public discourse and protection of more vulnerable social media users on social media platforms. African-American female participants called for platforms to recognize a special duty to protect minority users, whom they saw as responsible for the platforms’ success.
Research limitations/implications
Focus groups are useful for providing exploratory rather than generalizable data. However, by increasing the understanding of how individuals define extreme speech on social media, these data can reveal how individuals rhetorically shape the social media platforms and interpret their role in democratic discourse.
Originality/value
This research takes the rich field of studying tolerance toward extreme speech to new territory: the online realm where public discourse (and especially extreme discourse) is hosted more and more.
Abstract
Purpose
This study seeks to understand the opinions of internet users toward extreme speech on social media platforms and their willingness to censor such speech. The purpose of this paper is to examine how norms of freedom of expression are changing in an online communication environment dominated by these platforms.
Design/methodology/approach
Four focus groups were conducted in this study. Participants needed to use at least one social media platform daily. Groups were homogeneous in terms of race and gender: African-American females, African-American males, white females and white males.
Findings
Participants in general did not report a strong willingness to censor extreme speech on social media platforms. Rather, they expressed apathy and cynicism toward both their own and social media companies’ ability to combat extreme speech and make online discourse more positive. Female participants tended to value the overall health of public discourse and protection of more vulnerable social media users on social media platforms. African-American female participants called for platforms to recognize a special duty to protect minority users, whom they saw as responsible for the platforms’ success.
Research limitations/implications
Focus groups are useful for providing exploratory rather than generalizable data. However, by increasing the understanding of how individuals define extreme speech on social media, these data can reveal how individuals rhetorically shape the social media platforms and interpret their role in democratic discourse.
Originality/value
This research takes the rich field of studying tolerance toward extreme speech to new territory: the online realm where public discourse (and especially extreme discourse) is hosted more and more.
Wednesday, 24 October 2018
Is my fear of missing out (FOMO) causing fatigue? Advertising, social media fatigue, and the implications for consumers and brands
an article by Laura Frances Bright (Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, USA) and Kelty Logan (University of Colorado Boulder, Colorado, USA) published in Internet Research Volume 28 Issue 5 (2018)
Abstract
Purpose
Social media usage has become ubiquitous in our society – consumers are spending upwards of 20 percent of their media time on social sites interacting with friends, family and brands (Adler, 2016) and all of this usage is driving fatigue. The purpose of this paper is to examine how advertising factors such as attitude and intrusiveness impact social media fatigue as well as two consumer behavior factors, fear of missing out (FOMO) and privacy.
Design/methodology/approach
A 190-item questionnaire was developed and administered to an opt-in subject pool recruited for web-based research (i.e. online panel). A representative sample of 750 US social media users was recruited for the survey of which 518 respondents were valid and usable.
Findings
Results indicate that FOMO has the greatest impact on social media fatigue, not advertising factors as predicted. In addition, privacy concerns continue to plague consumers and should be monitored by advertisers.
Research limitations/implications
With regard to limitation, the survey contained a variety of self-reported measures that can tend to be under-reported, especially when it comes to social media usage as evidenced in a recent study (Adler, 2016).
Originality/value
This research undertook an investigation of consumer perceptions of social media advertising and how those relate to social media fatigue and psychological factors such as privacy and FOMO. In looking at these constructs, a clearer picture of how consumer perceptions of advertising impact levels of social media fatigue has emerged. In addition, the results provide a better understanding of FOMO, a psychological factor that significantly contributes to social media fatigue.
Abstract
Purpose
Social media usage has become ubiquitous in our society – consumers are spending upwards of 20 percent of their media time on social sites interacting with friends, family and brands (Adler, 2016) and all of this usage is driving fatigue. The purpose of this paper is to examine how advertising factors such as attitude and intrusiveness impact social media fatigue as well as two consumer behavior factors, fear of missing out (FOMO) and privacy.
Design/methodology/approach
A 190-item questionnaire was developed and administered to an opt-in subject pool recruited for web-based research (i.e. online panel). A representative sample of 750 US social media users was recruited for the survey of which 518 respondents were valid and usable.
Findings
Results indicate that FOMO has the greatest impact on social media fatigue, not advertising factors as predicted. In addition, privacy concerns continue to plague consumers and should be monitored by advertisers.
Research limitations/implications
With regard to limitation, the survey contained a variety of self-reported measures that can tend to be under-reported, especially when it comes to social media usage as evidenced in a recent study (Adler, 2016).
Originality/value
This research undertook an investigation of consumer perceptions of social media advertising and how those relate to social media fatigue and psychological factors such as privacy and FOMO. In looking at these constructs, a clearer picture of how consumer perceptions of advertising impact levels of social media fatigue has emerged. In addition, the results provide a better understanding of FOMO, a psychological factor that significantly contributes to social media fatigue.
Tuesday, 21 August 2018
Migration aspirations and migration cultures: A case study of Ukrainian migration towards the European Union
an article by Christof Van Mol (Tilburg University,The Netherlands / Netherlands Interdisciplinary Demographic Institute, The Hague / Universiteit Antwerpen, Belgium), Erik Snel (Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam (EUR), The Netherlands), Kenneth Hemmerechts (Vrije Universiteit Brussels, Belgium) and Christiane Timmerman (Universiteit Antwerpen, Belgium) published in Population, Space and Place Volume 24 Issue 5 (July 2018)
Abstract
An abundant body of research focused on macrolevel, mesolevel, and microlevel factors explaining why individuals move across international borders.
In this paper, we aim to complement the existing literature by exploring how, within a single country, mesolevel factors differently impact migration aspirations, focusing on a case study of Ukraine. We particularly focus on how migration aspirations of individuals in two different regions can be explained by their international social networks with family members, on the one hand, and with friends, on the other.
Furthermore, we explore whether regional migration characteristics play a role, as well as the interaction of such characteristics with individuals' frequency of contact with transnational networks.
Our analyses are based on the EUMAGINE project and suggest that the interplay between regional migration characteristics and transnational social contact are key for explaining the decline of migration systems over time.
Full text (PDF 11pp)
Abstract
An abundant body of research focused on macrolevel, mesolevel, and microlevel factors explaining why individuals move across international borders.
In this paper, we aim to complement the existing literature by exploring how, within a single country, mesolevel factors differently impact migration aspirations, focusing on a case study of Ukraine. We particularly focus on how migration aspirations of individuals in two different regions can be explained by their international social networks with family members, on the one hand, and with friends, on the other.
Furthermore, we explore whether regional migration characteristics play a role, as well as the interaction of such characteristics with individuals' frequency of contact with transnational networks.
Our analyses are based on the EUMAGINE project and suggest that the interplay between regional migration characteristics and transnational social contact are key for explaining the decline of migration systems over time.
Full text (PDF 11pp)
Tuesday, 10 April 2018
The use of Facebook by local authorities: a comparative analysis of the USA, UK and Spain
an article by F. Javier Miranda, Antonio Chamorro and Sergio Rubio (Universidad de Extremadura, Badajoz, Spain) published in Electronic Government, an International Journal Volume 14 Number 2 (2018)
Abstract
The social networks have increased the ways in which public administrations can actively interact with the public. However, these new means of communication are not always used efficiently to create an open and two-way relationship.
The purpose of this study is to analyse the presence on and use of the social network Facebook by the large councils in the USA, UK and Spain. This research adapts Facebook assessment index (FAI) to the field of local authorities.
This index assesses three dimensions:
The results show that there is no relationship between the population of the municipality and the degree of use of Facebook by the council, but there are notable differences depending on the country.
By creating this ranking, we are helping those responsible for this management to carry out benchmarking activities in order to improve their communication strategy on the social networks.
Abstract
The social networks have increased the ways in which public administrations can actively interact with the public. However, these new means of communication are not always used efficiently to create an open and two-way relationship.
The purpose of this study is to analyse the presence on and use of the social network Facebook by the large councils in the USA, UK and Spain. This research adapts Facebook assessment index (FAI) to the field of local authorities.
This index assesses three dimensions:
- popularity,
- content and
- interactivity.
The results show that there is no relationship between the population of the municipality and the degree of use of Facebook by the council, but there are notable differences depending on the country.
By creating this ranking, we are helping those responsible for this management to carry out benchmarking activities in order to improve their communication strategy on the social networks.
Display and control in online social spaces: Towards a typology of users
an article by Alexandre Fortier (McGill University, Canada) and Jacquelyn Burkell (The University of Western Ontario, Canada) published in New Media & Society Volume 20 Issue 3 (2018)
Abstract
Earlier research using qualitative techniques suggests that the default conception of online social networks is as public spaces with little or no expectation of control over content or distribution of profile information. Some research, however, suggests that users within these spaces have different perspectives on information control and distribution.
This study uses Q methodology to investigate subjective perspectives with respect to privacy of, and control over, Facebook profiles.
The results suggest three different types of social media users:
Abstract
Earlier research using qualitative techniques suggests that the default conception of online social networks is as public spaces with little or no expectation of control over content or distribution of profile information. Some research, however, suggests that users within these spaces have different perspectives on information control and distribution.
This study uses Q methodology to investigate subjective perspectives with respect to privacy of, and control over, Facebook profiles.
The results suggest three different types of social media users:
- those who view profiles as spaces for controlled social display, exerting control over content or audience;
- those who treat their profiles as spaces for open social display, exercising little control over either content or audience; and
- those who view profiles as places to post personal information to a controlled audience.
Monday, 9 April 2018
On the optimal diversification of social networks in frictional labour markets with occupational mismatch
an article by Anna Zaharieva (Bielefeld University, Germany) published in Labour Economics Volume 50 (March 2018)
Highlights
Abstract
This paper incorporates social networks into a frictional labour market framework.
There are two worker types and two occupations, which are subject to correlated fluctuations in output. The equilibrium is characterized by occupational mismatch which is associated with a wage penalty.
Every worker has a fixed number of social contacts in the network. The fraction of contacts of the same occupational type defines homophily of the social network, so this paper investigates the optimal level of network homophily.
Workers are risk-neutral and take aggregate variables as given, so their optimal individual choice is full homophily.
This is different from the social planner's perspective. The planner internalizes external effects of workers' network choices on aggregate variables, so there exists a unique interior value of network homophily maximizing the present value of income.
On the one hand, higher homophily is associated with lower occupational mismatch.
But on the other hand, higher homophily separates the two groups of workers, prevents exchange of information about open vacancies, and leads to more unemployment, especially in recessions.
So it is the trade-off between these two effects and not the desire to reduce income volatility, as in standard portfolio theory, which gives rise to network diversification.
Comparative statics shows that optimal network homophily is lower and diversification is stronger with a lower wage penalty from mismatch, lower unemployment benefit and negative correlation in output fluctuations.
JEL classification: J23, J31, J64
Full text (HTML)
Highlights
- This paper considers a search model with two worker types, two occupations and networks.
- Network homophily is defined as a fraction of contacts of the same occupational type.
- Stronger homophily leads to less occupational mismatch but raises unemployment.
- Optimal network diversification is stronger with negatively correlated output shocks.
- On-the-job search and lower wages in the mismatch occupation lead to less diversification.
Abstract
This paper incorporates social networks into a frictional labour market framework.
There are two worker types and two occupations, which are subject to correlated fluctuations in output. The equilibrium is characterized by occupational mismatch which is associated with a wage penalty.
Every worker has a fixed number of social contacts in the network. The fraction of contacts of the same occupational type defines homophily of the social network, so this paper investigates the optimal level of network homophily.
Workers are risk-neutral and take aggregate variables as given, so their optimal individual choice is full homophily.
This is different from the social planner's perspective. The planner internalizes external effects of workers' network choices on aggregate variables, so there exists a unique interior value of network homophily maximizing the present value of income.
On the one hand, higher homophily is associated with lower occupational mismatch.
But on the other hand, higher homophily separates the two groups of workers, prevents exchange of information about open vacancies, and leads to more unemployment, especially in recessions.
So it is the trade-off between these two effects and not the desire to reduce income volatility, as in standard portfolio theory, which gives rise to network diversification.
Comparative statics shows that optimal network homophily is lower and diversification is stronger with a lower wage penalty from mismatch, lower unemployment benefit and negative correlation in output fluctuations.
JEL classification: J23, J31, J64
Full text (HTML)
Sunday, 18 February 2018
Who Cares About Your Big Day? Impact of Life Events on Dynamics of Social Networks
an article by Arati Srinivasan (Providence College, Providence, RI, USA) and Hong Guo and Sarv Devaraj (University of Notre Dame, IN, USA) published in Decision Sciences Volume 48 Issue 6 (December 2017)
Abstract
With online social networking having revolutionized the way in which individuals communicate and interact with each other, there is heightened research interest in the dynamics of social networks. This article seeks to contribute to this stream of research by addressing the key question of the impact of major life events, such as getting married or graduating from college, on social network evolution.
Consistent with prior studies on the evolution of individuals’ social networks, we specifically focus on two key attributes of an individual's network: indegree of ties and relational embeddedness.
By longitudinally analyzing the network activities of a large-scale online social network, we find that the indegree of ties increased significantly following a major life event, and that this impact was stronger for more active users in the network.
Interestingly, we also find that the broadcast of major life events served to revive dormant ties as reflected by a decrease in embeddedness following a life event.
We also found that one-time life events such as weddings had a greater impact than recurring life events such as birthdays on the evolution of a user's social network.
From a research perspective, our study contributes to existing research by focusing on a user's communication network as opposed to friendship network and by emphasizing how exogenous life events add a different dimension to user communication patterns.
The importance of life events on social network evolution has important implications for practice as well by providing insights to advertisers as well as to social networking sites.
Abstract
With online social networking having revolutionized the way in which individuals communicate and interact with each other, there is heightened research interest in the dynamics of social networks. This article seeks to contribute to this stream of research by addressing the key question of the impact of major life events, such as getting married or graduating from college, on social network evolution.
Consistent with prior studies on the evolution of individuals’ social networks, we specifically focus on two key attributes of an individual's network: indegree of ties and relational embeddedness.
By longitudinally analyzing the network activities of a large-scale online social network, we find that the indegree of ties increased significantly following a major life event, and that this impact was stronger for more active users in the network.
Interestingly, we also find that the broadcast of major life events served to revive dormant ties as reflected by a decrease in embeddedness following a life event.
We also found that one-time life events such as weddings had a greater impact than recurring life events such as birthdays on the evolution of a user's social network.
From a research perspective, our study contributes to existing research by focusing on a user's communication network as opposed to friendship network and by emphasizing how exogenous life events add a different dimension to user communication patterns.
The importance of life events on social network evolution has important implications for practice as well by providing insights to advertisers as well as to social networking sites.
Wednesday, 15 March 2017
Identifying and predicting the desire to help in social question and answering
an article by Zhe Liu (IBM Almaden Research Center, San Jose, CA, USA) and Bernard J. Jansen (Qatar Computing Research Institute, Doha, Qatar) published in Information Processing & Management Volume 53 Issue 2 (March 2017)
Highlights
The increasing volume of questions posted on social question and answering sites has triggered the development of question routing services. Most of these routing algorithms are able to recognize effectively individuals with the required knowledge to answer a specific question.
However, just because people have the capability to answer a question, does not mean that they have the desire to help.
In this research, we evaluate the practical performance of the question routing services in social context by analyzing the knowledge sharing behavior of users in social Q&A process in terms of their participation, interests, and connectedness. We collect questions and answers over a ten-month period from Wenwo, a major Chinese question routing service.
Using 340,658 questions and 1,754,280 replies, findings reveal separate roles for knowledge sharers and consumers. Based on this finding, we identify knowledge sharers from non-sharers a priori in order to increase the response probabilities.
We evaluate our model based on an analysis of 3006 Wenwo knowledge sharers and non-sharers.
Our experimental results demonstrate knowledge sharer prediction based solely on non-Q&A features achieves a 70% success rate in accurately identifying willing respondents.
Highlights
- Evaluate the effectiveness of question routing systems in the social Q&A process.
- Find that individuals are more willing to share their knowledge under question routing context whereas less connected.
- Build an effective model to automatically identify active knowledge sharers from non-shares using non-Q&A features from four dimensions: profile, posting behavior, language style, and social activities.
The increasing volume of questions posted on social question and answering sites has triggered the development of question routing services. Most of these routing algorithms are able to recognize effectively individuals with the required knowledge to answer a specific question.
However, just because people have the capability to answer a question, does not mean that they have the desire to help.
In this research, we evaluate the practical performance of the question routing services in social context by analyzing the knowledge sharing behavior of users in social Q&A process in terms of their participation, interests, and connectedness. We collect questions and answers over a ten-month period from Wenwo, a major Chinese question routing service.
Using 340,658 questions and 1,754,280 replies, findings reveal separate roles for knowledge sharers and consumers. Based on this finding, we identify knowledge sharers from non-sharers a priori in order to increase the response probabilities.
We evaluate our model based on an analysis of 3006 Wenwo knowledge sharers and non-sharers.
Our experimental results demonstrate knowledge sharer prediction based solely on non-Q&A features achieves a 70% success rate in accurately identifying willing respondents.
Monday, 23 March 2015
A social net? Internet and social media use during unemployment
an article by Miriam Feuls (Berlin University of the Arts, Germany), Christian Fieseler (BI Norwegian Business School, Norway) and Anne Suphan (University of St. Gallen, Switzerland) published in Work, Employment & Society Volume 28 Number 4 (August 2014)
Abstract
Many people who are unemployed tend to experience forms of psychological and social losses, including a weakened time structure, diminished social contacts, an absence of collective purpose, falling status, and inactivity.
This article focuses on the experience of diminished social contacts and addresses whether social media help the unemployed maintain their relationships.
Based on qualitative interviews with unemployed individuals, the article identifies various types of social support networks and their impact on individual experiences of inclusion and exclusion. Although the unemployed use social media to cultivate their social support networks, the opportunity to establish new contacts, both private and professional, is underutilized.
Thus, social network differentiation between the unemployed and employed persists online in social media.
Abstract
Many people who are unemployed tend to experience forms of psychological and social losses, including a weakened time structure, diminished social contacts, an absence of collective purpose, falling status, and inactivity.
This article focuses on the experience of diminished social contacts and addresses whether social media help the unemployed maintain their relationships.
Based on qualitative interviews with unemployed individuals, the article identifies various types of social support networks and their impact on individual experiences of inclusion and exclusion. Although the unemployed use social media to cultivate their social support networks, the opportunity to establish new contacts, both private and professional, is underutilized.
Thus, social network differentiation between the unemployed and employed persists online in social media.
Monday, 12 August 2013
Altruism in social networks: good guys do finish first
an article by S. Anand, R. Chandramouli, K. P. Subbalakshmi and M. Venkataraman (Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, USA) published in Social Network Analysis and Mining Volume 3 Issue 2 (June 2013)
Abstract
Altruism in social networks was traditionally considered based on user relationships and requirements. The capability of a user to help has seldom been taken into account while studying altruism.
Also, to the best of our knowledge, no quantitative analysis has been made to determine the benefits of altruism.
Here we quantitatively study the amount of altruism of users based on the help extended by users to each other and the benefits they reap because of being altruistic. Results indicate that a network in which 90% users have capabilities that are above average contains 90% altruistic users, while a network containing 50% of users with above-average capabilities contains only 50% altruistic users.
Results also indicate that altruistic users (the good guys) reap more benefits than selfish users and free riders (i.e., finish first).
Abstract
Altruism in social networks was traditionally considered based on user relationships and requirements. The capability of a user to help has seldom been taken into account while studying altruism.
Also, to the best of our knowledge, no quantitative analysis has been made to determine the benefits of altruism.
Here we quantitatively study the amount of altruism of users based on the help extended by users to each other and the benefits they reap because of being altruistic. Results indicate that a network in which 90% users have capabilities that are above average contains 90% altruistic users, while a network containing 50% of users with above-average capabilities contains only 50% altruistic users.
Results also indicate that altruistic users (the good guys) reap more benefits than selfish users and free riders (i.e., finish first).
Wednesday, 10 July 2013
Faith in unions: From safe spaces to organised labour?
an article by Jane Holgate (University of Leeds, UK) published in Capital & Class volume 37 Number 2 (June 2013)
Abstract
Despite the UK trade union movement’s avowedly secular nature, its antecedents show that religious beliefs greatly influenced many early trade unionists and, in some cases, contributed to the formation of a trade union consciousness.
This paper considers the way trade union leaders in the 19th and 20th centuries drew upon religious teachings of social justice to organise their fellow workers. This context provides background for understanding how today a similar ideological commitment to collectivisation and social justice may be held by workers of faith; and how the adoption of a ‘militant secularism’ by some trade unionists may result in the closing of these conceptual spaces.
Abstract
Despite the UK trade union movement’s avowedly secular nature, its antecedents show that religious beliefs greatly influenced many early trade unionists and, in some cases, contributed to the formation of a trade union consciousness.
This paper considers the way trade union leaders in the 19th and 20th centuries drew upon religious teachings of social justice to organise their fellow workers. This context provides background for understanding how today a similar ideological commitment to collectivisation and social justice may be held by workers of faith; and how the adoption of a ‘militant secularism’ by some trade unionists may result in the closing of these conceptual spaces.
Thursday, 23 May 2013
Millions Now Living Will Never Die: Cultural Anxieties About the Afterlife of Information
an article by Grant David Bollmera (Digital Cultures, Department of Media and Communications, University of Sydney, Australia) published in The Information Society: An International Journal Volume 29 Issue 3 (May-June 2013)
Abstract
This article examines cultural anxieties surrounding the life and death of online data.
Through the examination of a wide range of discourses, including “lifestyle” news articles, online user comments, essays and books by novelists and engineers, and the websites of information management services, I argue that death online – defined as the persistence of informatic remainders after the death of the human user – reveals how networked data are constructed as both an authentic duplicate of identity and as a threat to personal identity that must be managed.
Because humans are understood as finite and mortal, while data are immortal and everlasting, the “life” formed out of online data is understood as beyond any possible control of the user. With the death of the user, the perceived connection between the user and data is revealed as a contingency rather than a necessity. Information is produced as autonomous.
It is nearly identical to yet separate from the user; it belongs to nobody except, perhaps, the network itself.
Abstract
This article examines cultural anxieties surrounding the life and death of online data.
Through the examination of a wide range of discourses, including “lifestyle” news articles, online user comments, essays and books by novelists and engineers, and the websites of information management services, I argue that death online – defined as the persistence of informatic remainders after the death of the human user – reveals how networked data are constructed as both an authentic duplicate of identity and as a threat to personal identity that must be managed.
Because humans are understood as finite and mortal, while data are immortal and everlasting, the “life” formed out of online data is understood as beyond any possible control of the user. With the death of the user, the perceived connection between the user and data is revealed as a contingency rather than a necessity. Information is produced as autonomous.
It is nearly identical to yet separate from the user; it belongs to nobody except, perhaps, the network itself.
Wednesday, 1 May 2013
The labour market experiences and strategies of young undocumented migrants
an article by Alice Bloch (University of Manchester, UK) published in Work Employment & Society Volume 27 Number 2 (April 2013)
Abstract
The article draws on data from in-depth interviews and testimonies with 75 young undocumented migrants from Brazil, China, Kurds from Turkey, Ukraine and Zimbabwe living in England.
The article provides a detailed qualitative understanding of the working lives and decision making of undocumented migrants, a group about which little is known. Sectors of employment and working conditions are explored alongside job-seeking strategies and the role of and use of social capital in job seeking.
Variations in employment experiences between undocumented migrants, particularly in relation to work within or outside of the ethnic enclave, are evident from the data.
Moreover, the role of narrow, usually co-ethnic and often undocumented, social networks in finding work and the intersections between job-seeking strategies and being undocumented is clear throughout the narratives.
Abstract
The article draws on data from in-depth interviews and testimonies with 75 young undocumented migrants from Brazil, China, Kurds from Turkey, Ukraine and Zimbabwe living in England.
The article provides a detailed qualitative understanding of the working lives and decision making of undocumented migrants, a group about which little is known. Sectors of employment and working conditions are explored alongside job-seeking strategies and the role of and use of social capital in job seeking.
Variations in employment experiences between undocumented migrants, particularly in relation to work within or outside of the ethnic enclave, are evident from the data.
Moreover, the role of narrow, usually co-ethnic and often undocumented, social networks in finding work and the intersections between job-seeking strategies and being undocumented is clear throughout the narratives.
Tuesday, 26 February 2013
The role of social networks in knowledge creation
an article by Julia Nieves and Javier Osorio (University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain) published in Knowledge Management Research & Practice Volume 11 Number 1 (February 2013)
Abstract
It is a basic principle of literature that social networks allow their members to access new knowledge.
The exchange and combination of knowledge that these networks provide is widely recognised as an antecedent of knowledge creation. By reviewing the main contributions of literature that link social networks to knowledge creation and innovation, we intend to explore how different types of networks, as well as the different dimensions of their social capital, influence innovative performance.
An exhaustive coverage of prior literature has been carried out in order to locate all the relevant previous work. The analysis shows up the complex relationship between social networks’ diverse facets and their members’ capacity to create knowledge.
The strategies defined for knowledge searching can condition which is the most appropriate type of network. In turn, the type of network can determine the most suitable structural and relational embeddedness. Hence, the decision to participate in social networks requires taking into consideration the different environments of these networks and also the singular aspects they present.
Abstract
It is a basic principle of literature that social networks allow their members to access new knowledge.
The exchange and combination of knowledge that these networks provide is widely recognised as an antecedent of knowledge creation. By reviewing the main contributions of literature that link social networks to knowledge creation and innovation, we intend to explore how different types of networks, as well as the different dimensions of their social capital, influence innovative performance.
An exhaustive coverage of prior literature has been carried out in order to locate all the relevant previous work. The analysis shows up the complex relationship between social networks’ diverse facets and their members’ capacity to create knowledge.
The strategies defined for knowledge searching can condition which is the most appropriate type of network. In turn, the type of network can determine the most suitable structural and relational embeddedness. Hence, the decision to participate in social networks requires taking into consideration the different environments of these networks and also the singular aspects they present.
Wednesday, 21 November 2012
Using FarmVille in an Introductory Managerial Accounting Course to Engage Students, Enhance Comprehension, and Develop Social Networking Skills
an article by Cynthia L. Krom (Franklin & Marshall College, Lancaster, PA, USA) published in Journal of Management Education Volume 36 Number 6 (December 2012)
Abstract
This article explores the use of the free Zynga computer game FarmVille, which is played in conjunction with Facebook®, to facilitate active learning in a managerial accounting course.
Results indicate that it invokes an improved understanding of the accounting content, particularly among nonaccounting majors; a high level of student satisfaction with the assignment; and excellent outcomes in developing peer-to-peer and faculty-student relationships.
This innovative approach is offered as an alternative way to achieve managerial accounting learning objectives. Its greatest strength is the social networking benefits it brings.
Hazel’s comment:
OK, I guess this is more of an interest item than it is in any way related to careers information, guidance, advising or counselling but I could not resist the temptation to include it!
Abstract
This article explores the use of the free Zynga computer game FarmVille, which is played in conjunction with Facebook®, to facilitate active learning in a managerial accounting course.
Results indicate that it invokes an improved understanding of the accounting content, particularly among nonaccounting majors; a high level of student satisfaction with the assignment; and excellent outcomes in developing peer-to-peer and faculty-student relationships.
This innovative approach is offered as an alternative way to achieve managerial accounting learning objectives. Its greatest strength is the social networking benefits it brings.
Hazel’s comment:
OK, I guess this is more of an interest item than it is in any way related to careers information, guidance, advising or counselling but I could not resist the temptation to include it!
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