The who and the what of usage of two cancer online communities

The explosion of use of Internet-based communication for health requires attention to the ways survivors of specific diseases and those close to them participate in using resources. This research focuses on two cancer groups – breast and prostate – and how they use WebMD asynchronous bulletin boards. Four hundred and eighty two messages were coded for communicator (survivors, spouses, others) and content of messages. Most common communicators were survivors, but the two groups differed in percentages of communicator. Of four main categories of content – medical/treatment, intimacy/sexuality, emotional expression, and support – most common were support and medical/treatment. The groups differed significantly on those four categories, with breast cancer more support-dominated and prostate more medical/treatment-dominated and more intimacy/sexuality messages. There were no group differences in emotional-toned vs. social support seeking vs. providing support, or positive vs. negative emotions expressed. Generally, there was considerable commonality, and the differences found primarily supported gender-specific notions of communication and need.     

Predicting continuance in online communities: model development and empirical test

Popular interest in online communities has grown rapidly in recent years as a result of the widespread diffusion of Web 2.0 applications. However, the full values and potential of online communities cannot be realised without users' ongoing participation. Thus, this study aims at developing and empirically testing a research model to examine users' continuance intention to participate in an online community based on an extended information systems (IS) continuance model. Specifically, entertainment value and affective commitment are included in the IS continuance model and empirically examined in the context of online communities. A total of 240 returns collected from an online survey, which was conducted among users of a website bulletin board-based community in China, were analysed using partial least squares. The results reveal that users' continuance intention to participate in an online community is determined by both satisfaction and affective commitment. Satisfaction and affective commitment are, in turn, influenced by positive disconfirmations of purposive and entertainment values. The findings of this study contribute not only to theory building in online community continuance but also inform online community moderators in their effort to develop strategies for retaining their users.     

Examination of community identification and interpersonal trust on continuous use intention: Evidence from experienced online community members

Members’ continued intention to use a community service is rooted in social identity. Past research has examined social identity but ignored the development of interpersonal trust through community identification. Drawing on social identity theory, one can conclude that community identification is the foundation of a member’s continuous use intention through interpersonal trust. Data come from responses to a two-stage survey of experienced members of an online game-based community. The findings support the belief that the identity of the community will strengthen long-term relationships within it. The projection of community identification on continuous use intention is tied to interpersonal trust.     

Learning and self-disclosure behavior on social networking sites: the case of Facebook users

This paper studies Facebook users’ learning-based attitude formation and the relationship between member attitude and self-disclosure. Through the theoretical lens of learning theories, we recognize the key antecedents to member attitude toward a social networking as stemming from classical conditioning, operant conditioning, and social learning-related factors. In addition, we explore the underlying process through which member attitude affects self-disclosure extent and theorize the mediating role of site usage rate on the relationship between attitude and self-disclosure extent. Analysis of 822 survey data results provides strong support for the role of learning theories in explaining Facebook members’ attitude development. The results also confirm a significant, partial mediating effect of site usage rate. A series of post-hoc analyses on gender difference further reveal that attitude formation mechanisms remain constant between male and female Facebook users; gender difference exists on the association between attitude and self-disclosure extent and the association between site usage rate and self-disclosure extent; and the mediating effect of site usage rate exists in male user group only. Our research, therefore, contributes to the literature on social networking sites, as well as providing behavioral analysis useful to the service providers of these sites.     

An Alvey survey: Advanced information technology in the U.K.

AIT is a serious object of Governmental concern in the U.K. This survey shows how.     

Electronic transformation of government in the U.K.: a research agenda

This paper presents the findings of an exploratory research project into future e-Government (electronic Government) initiatives. The Virtual Institute for Electronic Government Research (VIEGO) project aimed at identifying and further developing the research agenda of e-Government based on a solid practical ground. As such, the paper offers a novel methodology in identifying the road map for future e-Government initiatives based on a series of workshops organised around the U.K. hosting a mixture of stakeholders involving both academics and practitioners. The analysis of the VIEGO workshops depicted that an e-Government research agenda involves a combination of social, technological and organisational issues at both governmental and individual citizen level, ultimately driven by empirical case-based experience and active participation in e-Government processes. Unlike other propositions for the future of e-Government offered in the e-Government literature, it raised research questions not only originated from an analysis of e-Government literature but also on the outcome of brainstorming, reflections and contemplations throughout the duration of the project.     

IGBA and the national geochemical data bank in the U.K.: Design and systems

The evolution of geochemical data banking in the UK is summarized, and the relation of the IGBA data base to the National Geochemical Data Bank explained. The method of collecting data into IGBA is through authors at the time they are preparing for publication, papers carrying the geochemical information. The data are collected in fixed card image format in hard copy or machine-readable form. The format permits storage and retrieval not only of chemically determined major and trace element contents per sample, but also of the name, sample number, locality, mineral assemblage, petrography, texture, mode of occurrence, degree of alteration, precision of mineralogical and petrographic information, age, isotopic data, analytical procedure and quality control, and if appropriate oceanographic information for ship-borne collected samples. The path of data from the research operator's file to retrievable national data base is described, and an example given.     

The reciprocal effects of social network site use and the disposition for self-disclosure: A longitudinal study

Since the advent of social network sites (SNSs), scholars have critically discussed the psychological and societal implication of online self-disclosure. Does Facebook change our willingness to disclose personal information? The present study proposes that the use of SNSs and the psychological disposition for self-disclosure interact reciprocally: Individuals with a stronger disposition show a higher tendency to use SNSs (selection effect). At the same time, frequent SNS use increases the wish to self-disclose online, because self-disclosing behaviors are reinforced through social capital within the SNS environment (socialization effect). In a longitudinal panel study, 488 users of SNSs were surveyed twice in a 6 months interval. Data were analyzed using structure equation modeling. The proposed reciprocal effects of SNS activities and self-disclosure were supported by the data: The disposition for online self-disclosure had a positive longitudinal effect on SNS use which in turn positively influenced the disposition for online self-disclosure. Both effects were moderated by the amount of social capital users received as a consequence of their SNS use.     

Knowledge construction in an outsider community: Extending the communities of practice concept

We present an empirical analysis of a web forum in which followers of a health-related community exchange information and opinions in order to pass on and develop relevant knowledge. We analyzed how knowledge construction takes place in such a community that represents an outsider position which is not accepted by majority society. For this purpose we applied the Community of Practice (CoP) concept as a guideline for our analysis and found that many well-known activities of CoPs were true of the Urkost community. The social network analysis findings also supported interpreting this community as a CoP. But we found as well that this community had a variety of structural characteristics that the CoP literature deals with insufficiently. We identified the structure of goals, roles, and communication as relevant features that are typical of this outsider CoP. For example, the attitude of the core members towards people of a ‘different faith’ was characterized by strong hostility and rejection. These features provided an effective basis for the development and maintenance of a shared identity in the community. Our findings are discussed against the background of the necessity for further development of the CoP concept.     

Etsy and the long-tail: how microenterprises use hyper-differentiation in online handicraft marketplaces

This research presents an analysis of online microenterprises who sell handmade crafts and individually customized products. Using extant literature in the areas of e-commerce and long-tail marketing, this study develops two theoretical models of microenterprise sales success—on the product-level and on the shop-level. The models posit that higher product sales prices or shop average sales prices are associated with hyper-differentiation marketing activities, while controlling for social media impacts. We examine the models and present an empirical analysis of a dataset consisting of the marketing and sales activities of 1490 microenterprises within Etsy, an online commerce platform. Our analysis and results show that microenterprises who leverage their core competencies around handmade and customized products command higher product sales prices, confirmed at the product and shop level. Our study offers insights for existing microenterprises and researchers interested in examining how online microenterprises in niche markets achieve sales success.     

英国NCCA教学模式的启发与思考

英国伯恩茅斯大学国家计算机动画中心(NCCA)是英国最有权威的动画人才教育基地,在动画人才培养中取得卓越的成效。本文介绍NCCA基于行为主义、建构主义及人文主义三种教学模式的理论与实践,并对此进行分析与思考。     

The integration of a satellite spectral analysis into a heather moorland management model (HMMM): The case of Moidach More,northeast Scotland,U.K.

In this paper, high resolution, remotely-sensed data are investigated as a source of management information for moorland vegetation communities on a hypothetical farm in a marginal farming area of Scotland. A hybrid technique for vegetation mapping is adopted. This involves unsupervised machine classification of spectral variation in digitally enhanced air photographs and satellite imagery, together with visual interpretation of the imagery in both the laboratory and the field. This technique enables relative estimates of annual gross biomass production, for a range of vegetation types, to be obtained. The data are integrated into a simple heather moorland management model (HMMM), to produce potential sheep-stocking capacities under a range of management scenarios, the possible financial implications of these scenarios are also assessed.     

Product recommendation in online social networking communities: An empirical study of antecedents and a mediator

Intention to facilitate individual voluntary product recommendation in online social networking communities has attracted increased attention. However, it is not obvious why individuals recommend products in a community composed of non-transactional users. What are the critical factors influencing such a behavior? To attempt to provide insights into the product recommendation behavior in online social networking communities, we develop a model to investigate the effects of community atmospheric cues on affective social distance and subsequent product recommendations based on the stimulus–organism–response paradigm. By analyzing the results of a survey using a questionnaire, we found that community reciprocity and community receptivity have a direct influence on product recommendation, while community atmospheric cues have an indirect influence through affective social distance. Theoretical and managerial implications are discussed.     

Reciprocity norms and information-sharing behavior in online consumption communities: An empirical investigation of antecedents and moderators

This study seeks a better understanding of information-sharing behavior in online consumption communities by investigating both the antecedents and moderating mechanisms of such behavior. Using self-reported data collected over two periods, along with objective behavioral data, the authors show that a reciprocity norm functions as a proximal determinant of information-sharing behavior. This norm also channels the effects of social, hedonic, and utilitarian community values on sharing behavior. The results reveal that the conversion of reciprocity norms into information-sharing behavior depends on individual and contextual conditions. These significant insights reflect the integration of consumer resource allocation theory with a reciprocity framework to establish an explanatory platform for members’ information-sharing behavior in online communities. Both theoretical and practical implications are discussed.     

The shaping of I.T. trajectories: evidence from the U.K. public sector

This paper reports upon I.T. initiatives in the U.K. public sector where choices were made, decisions taken, major investment authorised, and new I.T. introduced. The research investigation followed practice over several years in three Police Forces as new information technologies were introduced. We focus on these I.T. trajectories, and in particular the actions, interactions and events within and across groups of people. We argue that practices surrounding I.T. choice are socially shaped. Indeed, the choices and subsequent acquisition can be viewed as part of a process of ongoing configuration. We argue that Social Worlds Theory has much to offer in understanding what happens as I.T. trajectories evolve in organisations. The empirical part of the paper reports upon the findings from a longitudinal, cross-case analysis within the three Police Forces – institutions that are often characterised as bureaucratic in form, and culture. In each case, the I.T. trajectories were followed utilising a variety of qualitative techniques. Drawing upon social worlds theory, and boundary objects, we consider the influence of certain ‘objects’ upon I.T. outcomes, and the way in which other boundary objects become a focus for the construction of apparent facades of formality.     

Electronic word-of-mouth and online reviews in tourism services: the use of twitter by tourists

Lately, the online social media have revolutionized communications and consequently the marketing of tourism destinations and businesses. The area is rapidly evolving and the challenges and opportunities arising from it for tourism industry are already apparent. Electronic word-of-mouth (e-WOM) and online reviews/recommendations are increasingly used regarding tourism services that are high involvement services. The purpose of the present study is to develop a conceptual framework for understanding the foundations of digital communication and empirically investigate its validity by examining the factors influencing the tourism consumer behavior. This study adopts a conceptual model of e-WOM and explores the use of Twitter by the tourists. Findings revealed the factors affecting tourists’ decision-making and indicated that this social medium is not a panacea; it is another marketing channel to be wisely used in integrated communications marketing of tourism services.     

Doing the politics of technological decision making: due process and the debate about identity cards in the U.K.

The U.K. Government, in presenting its proposals for biometric identity cards, made strong claims about the technology and science underlying the proposed National Identity Scheme. In this paper, we use insights from science and technology studies (STS), particularly Latour's ‘Politics of Nature’ argument, to analyse the parliamentary debates about the technological and scientific aspects of the proposals. The authors were part of a team that produced a report that raised a series of perplexities about the Scheme in an attempt to counter the short-circuiting of discussion of these perplexities in the parliamentary debate. The paper analyses the government's attempts at short-circuiting in light of Latour's argument and the introduction of perplexities by our report. It demonstrates the extent to which this form of STS can enhance political debate about technological decisions.     

Change and innovation in modern manufacturing practices: An expert panel survey of U.K. companies

The aim of this research was to examine the change and innovation capabilities of U.K. manufacturing companies across a range different sectors, and with regard to a variety of modern manufacturing practices. This was achieved by interviewing experts drawn from research, consultancy, professional bodies, and manufacturing companies. The findings indicate that there are optimistic signs for believing that U.K. companies are improving their change capabilities (e.g., project planning, selling and communicating change, consulting end users). More pessimistically, it was found that companies could develop their change capabilities further in a number of key areas (e.g., strategic and systemic thinking, end user participation, management of learning and expertise, evaluating change). It is also suggested that companies are particularly poor at learning from their experiences of managing change, and that this inhibits the further development of change and innovation capabilities. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

The impact of network and recency effects on the adoption of e-collaboration technologies in online communities

This study investigates the impact that network and recency effects have on the adoption of e-collaboration technologies (ECT). The network effect is a widely documented phenomenon affecting the adoption of technology in the real world. However, its impact in virtual workspaces remains relatively underexplored. We know little about whether the observed network effect in offline settings also applies to online contexts. In this study we argue that co-membership is one of the most important mechanisms through which online social networks are built, and the network effect is salient for the adoption of ECT. We also document a recency effect with respect to ECT adoptions. Specifically, contrary to traditional wisdom, we find that recent adoptions, rather than more distant ones, are more powerful in affecting subsequent adoptions. Moreover, recent adoptions positively reinforce the impact of the network effect on subsequent adoptions. To illustrate theory and test hypotheses, we examine the adoption of the latest open source software (OSS) version control technology using a panel dataset obtained from SourceForge.net. By addressing the causality and heterogeneity issues between network structure and adoption decision, we show a more compelling connection between online social networks and technology adoption.