Differentiation of online text-based advertising and the effect on users’ click behavior

Online syndicated text-based advertising is ubiquitous on news sites, blogs, personal websites, and on search result pages. Until recently, a common distinguishing feature of these text-based advertisements has been their background color. Following intervention by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the format of these advertisements has undergone a subtle change in their design and presentation. Using three empirical experiments, we investigate the effect of industry-standard advertising practices on click rates, and demonstrate changes in user behavior when this familiar differentiator is modified. Using three large-scale experiments (N₁ = 101, N₂ = 84, N₃ = 176) we find that displaying advertisement and content results with a differentiated background results in significantly lower click rates. Our results demonstrate the strong link between background color differentiation and advertising, and reveal how alternative differentiation techniques influence user behavior.     

How to Get 3-D for the Price of 2-D—Topology and Consistency of 3-D Urban GIS

This article deals with topological concepts and models which are necessary to represent three-dimensional urban objects in a geographical information system (GIS). Depending on the shape and the representation of features, several classes with increasing topological complexity are identified and described. This complexity has strong impacts on the models and tools which are required to represent, manage and edit the data. One specific model we call 2.8-D map is identified, which covers many 3-D applications in GIS. It is a slight extension of a 2-D or 2.5-D model and preserves the algorithmic and conceptual simplicity of the 2-D case as much as possible. The model is described in a formal way. Integrity axioms are given, which detect errors in corresponding data sets safely and guarantee the consistency of 2.8-D maps in a mathematically sound and provable way. These axioms are effectively and efficiently checkable by automatic procedures. The model extends digital terrain models (2.5-D) by allowing for vertical walls and projections like balconies or ledges. The conceptual simplicity is due to the two-dimensional topology of the model. Thus bridges and tunnels are special cases; it is shown how to detect and handle these cases efficiently. Based on this model, thematic objects and their aggregation structures are defined in a consistent way.     

Are Cyberbullies really bullies? An investigation of reactive and proactive online aggression

Cyberbullying, or online aggression, is an issue of increasing concern, however little research has been conducted on the motivations underlying this form of aggression. Using a mixed-method approach, by means of survey and interview data, we explored whether online aggressive acts were motivated by proactive (intentionally aggressing to obtain a resource or a goal), and/or reactive (aggression that occurs in reaction to provocation) reasons. Participants for the survey portion of the study included 733 adolescents between the ages of 10 and 18, while a subset of 15 adolescents participated in semi-structured interviews. Factor analysis revealed that, in contrast to traditional forms of bullying, adolescents do not identify themselves according to the role they played in an internet aggressive situation (i.e. bully, victim, witness), but according to the method of aggression they used (i.e. sending mean messages, posting embarrassing photos, and developing hostile websites). More interestingly, regression analyses demonstrated that motivations for aggressing online also varied according to method of aggression rather than role. For example, adolescents who chose to aggress by posting mean messages or posting embarrassing photos were more likely to do so for reactive reasons, while adolescents who spent time creating hostile websites did so for proactive reasons.     

Do badges increase user activity? A field experiment on the effects of gamification

During recent years, the practice of adding game design to non-game services has gained a relatively large amount of attention. Popular discussion connects gamification to increased user engagement, service profitability, goal commitment and the overall betterment of various behavioral outcomes. However, there is still an absence of a coherent and ample body of empirical evidence that would confirm such expectations. To this end, this paper reports the results of a 2 year (1 + 1 year – between-group) field experiment in gamifying a service by implementing a game mechanic called ‘badges’. During the experiment a pre-implementation group (N = 1410) was monitored for 1 year. After the implementation, the post-implementation (the gamified condition) group (N = 1579) was monitored for another full year. Results show that users in the gamified condition were significantly more likely to post trade proposals, carry out transactions, comment on proposals and generally use the service in a more active way.     

The Design and Simulation of the 2-D micro-carving parallel robot

introductionR ecent years have witnessed the m icrom ation andintellectualized trend in the study of precise m echanism ,evidenced by the wide exploitation of m ini -robot.Sm all in size, larger in working dom ain, sophisticated indynam ically driving,precise in locating, the m ini-robot,boasts m uch to dealw ith operations in relation with m i-ni-object. M ini-robot goes into 2 m ain categories: spa-tialparallel m echanism (SPM ) and plane parallel m echa-nism (PPM ).Spatialparallel m echan…     

Who avoids location-based advertising and why? Investigating the relationship between user perceptions and advertising avoidance

This study investigates how perceptual factors are associated with mobile consumers’ avoidance of location-based mobile advertising (LBA), and whether the relationships between the perceptual factors and LBA avoidance are influenced by consumers’ mobile device usage levels. The results of a national web survey with 605 Singaporean mobile consumers show that those who find LBA impedes goals, requires sacrifice, and lacks utility are more likely to avoid it. When examining the differences of heavy, medium, and light mobile device users, the analyses reveal that the effects of perceived utility and entertainment on LBA avoidance are greater for medium and heavy users than for light users. Theoretical and practical implications of our findings are discussed, as are the limitations and suggestions for future research.     

Do online reviews affect product sales? The role of reviewer characteristics and temporal effects

Online product reviews provided by consumers who previously purchased products have become a major information source for consumers and marketers regarding product quality. This study extends previous research by conducting a more compelling test of the effect of online reviews on sales. In particular, we consider both quantitative and qualitative aspects of online reviews, such as reviewer quality, reviewer exposure, product coverage, and temporal effects. Using transaction cost economics and uncertainty reduction theories, this study adopts a portfolio approach to assess the effectiveness of the online review market. We show that consumers understand the value difference between favorable news and unfavorable news and respond accordingly. Furthermore, when consumers read online reviews, they pay attention not only to review scores but to other contextual information such as a reviewer’s reputation and reviewer exposure. The market responds more favorably to reviews written by reviewers with better reputation and higher exposure. Finally, we demonstrate that the impact of online reviews on sales diminishes over time. This suggests that firms need not provide incentives for customers to write reviews beyond a certain time period after products have been released.

Do measurements of motorcycle conspicuity really measure conspicuity effects?

Abstract

Accident studies have indicated that lack of detectability is a factor in daytime multivehicle accidents involving motorcycles. Until recently, little research had been conducted using direct behavioural observation procedures, but this has now changed with the procedures used involving gap-acceptance, detection and recall. Several problems with the use of these procedures to measure effectiveness of conspicuity ‘enhancers’ are outlined. It is concluded that the gap-acceptance procedure should not be used for this purpose; detection studies need to control for context effects, especially that of expectancy, and also to hold luminance contrast constant from the real scene to the simulation; recall studies need to investigate the influence of memory-related factors on recall performance, in addition to using moving motorcycles, rather than stationary motorcycles as in the studies to date.     

Investigating the nonlinear and conditional effects of trust—The new role of institutional contexts in online repurchase

Trust is paramount to developing and maintaining long-term relationships in all stages of the customer lifecycle, including the repurchase stage. This research goes beyond the simple finding documented in the extant trust literature that the effect of trust will diminish. It sheds light on the role of institutional contexts and develops a nuanced understanding of the boundary conditions under which trust operates in the repurchase stage, where knowledge-based trust becomes more predominant. Drawing on a different theoretical tenet, prospect theory, we find that customers exhibit distinctively different transaction intentions in the two perceptual conditions of high and low trust in institutional contexts. Specifically, the nonlinear relationship between trust and repeat online transaction intention is inverted U-shaped curvilinear when trust in institutional contexts is high, but is U-shaped when trust in institutional contexts is low. With data collected from both e-commerce and mobile banking contexts using two different measures of institutional contexts, we employed a new and advanced latent moderated structural (LMS) equations approach for analysis and provided robust results. Our findings largely confirm the hypotheses and offer theoretical, methodological, and practical implications.     

Can we simulate the biomechanical effects of exoskeletons prior to workstation implementation? Application of the Forces ergonomic method

Increasingly, exoskeletons are becoming a valuable tool for prevention technicians to promote occupational health and reduce the risk of musculoskeletal disorders in industry. However, the effective implementation of industrial exoskeletons is a complex challenge. Deciding whether these devices are the optimal solution to the detected ergonomic risks at a specific workstation is not straightforward. This study presents the modelling of three commercial passive exoskeletons, one for lumbar and two for shoulder risk reduction, to be considered in the musculoskeletal risk assessment of industrial workstations. The presented modelling considers the forces and moments applied by exoskeletons to the body using the Forces ergonomic method, providing the musculoskeletal risk for each joint based on inertial motion capture data registered at each workstation. This approach is exemplified on simulated and actual production workstations. The results reveal that the modelling application allows an objective understanding of the biomechanical effects of exoskeletons. Modelling establishes a predictive tool to assess and make decisions regarding the suitability of the exoskeleton prior to implementation at a workstation.     

Is the influence of privacy and security on online trust the same for all type of consumers?

This article analyzes the relationships among online trust and two of its most important antecedents, namely privacy and security, and explains how consumers’ characteristics (gender, age, education and extraversion), moderate the influence of both privacy and security in online trust. This study expands previous literature by identifying the conditions under which perceived privacy and security are likely to have the greatest positive effects on consumer trust in the online retailer. Based on data from 398 online consumers, the results revealed that the influence of both privacy and security on online trust was stronger for male, younger, more educated, and less extraverted consumers. Implications for theory and management are discussed.     

An epidemiological assessment of online groups and a test of a typology: What are the (dis)similarities of the online group types?

A vast multitude of online groups exist, and authors have been rapidly investigating their dynamics. Extant studies have provided great information on the effects of online group membership, but limitations are often noted in these studies. Amongst the most concerning limitations are issues of generalizability. Authors are often unsure whether their results are able to generalize to other online groups, including those that are seemingly similar. For this reason, some researchers have created typologies of online groups, in hopes that online groups that fall within the same category will be generalizable; however, no study has analyzed the merit of an online group typology, and conclusions are based upon speculation. For this reason, the current study analyzed the dynamics of three different online groups, which fall within separate categories of an online group typology: a cancer support forum, a LGBT forum, and a Harry Potter fan forum. The results demonstrate that these groups vary in their properties, including group members’ group identity, well-being, and social support. These results provide support for an online group typology, and precisely demonstrate in what manner these groups differ. Additionally, the results offer valuable information about the individual groups, as some variables were previously unstudied in some group types. The discovery of these previously unknown dynamics leads to the potential of new studies, which is discussed. Therefore, the current study provides important implications for future studies, as well as the interpretation of future research results.     

Privacy concern and online personalization: The moderating effects of information control and compensation

Firms have at their disposal an increasing amount of personal information about consumers gathered through various means. Studies find that personalizing online interactions improves customer relationships and increases desirable behaviors, such as positive word-of-mouth and increased purchase intent. However, other research suggests that the use of personal information stimulates privacy concern, which has a negative effect on behavior. This study examines potential moderators of the negative effects of privacy concern on behavioral intentions in the context of personalized online interactions. Results show that increasing perceived information control reduces the negative effect of privacy concern on intentions to engage in positive behaviors. In contrast, the offer of compensation has no effect on the relationship between privacy concern and these behavioral intentions. However, compensation increases the salience of trust to privacy concern.     

Is online trust and trust in social institutions associated with online disclosure of identifiable information online?

This study investigated the association between trust in individuals, social institutions and online trust on the disclosure of personal identifiable information online. Using the Internet attributes approach that argues that some structural characteristics of the Internet such as lack of social cues and controllability are conducive to a disinhibitive behavior it was expected that face to face trust and online trust will not be associated. In addition, it was expected that from the three components of trust, online trust only will be associated with the disclosure of identifiable personal information online. A secondary analysis of the 2009 Pew and American Life of Internet users (n = 1698) survey was conducted. In contrast with the Internet attribute approach the effect of trust in individuals and institutions was indirectly associated with the disclosure of identifiable information online. Trust in individuals and institutions were found to be associated with online trust. However, online trust only, was found to be associated with the disclosure of personal identifiable information. While trust online encourages the disclosure of identifiable information, perception of privacy risks predicted refraining from posting identifiable information online. The results show a complex picture of the association of offline and online characteristics on online behavior.     

The dark side of the boon? Credibility,selective exposure and the proliferation of online sources of political information

While the media industry may consider credibility its most valuable asset, scholars suggest there is a potential “dark side” to credibility: Perceptions of credibility of a source lead to selective exposure and selective avoidance, and both lead to increased fragmentation and polarization of social and political views. The link between credibility and selective exposure and avoidance has not received much academic attention, therefore this study employed a survey of politically interested Internet users during the 2008 presidential campaign to test the influence of credibility and reliance on selective exposure and avoidance after controlling for demographic and political factors. This study found little evidence of a dark side to credibility. Respondents who judge blogs as credible search for information that supports their point of view, as well as challenges their opinions.     

Can online user reviews be more helpful? Evaluating and improving ranking approaches

Given the sharply increasing number of online reviews, the selection of strategies by review-hosting firms to help users access more helpful reviews is an intriguing but insufficiently studied issue. We first propose a model to help us understand how reviews receive helpful votes (HV) and non-helpful votes. According to this model, the performances of different ranking approaches are compared using several simulated datasets with empirical features. In addition to three well-known ranking approaches, we develop a novel approach based on Bayesian statistics that is easy to implement in existing websites and can be combined with other content recommendation techniques to determine the prior belief in online reviews. More importantly, we suggest two simple ways to enhance existing ranking approaches. The numerical evidence demonstrates the advantages of two enhanced approaches, as indicated by higher helpful ratios and a reduced Matthew effect. These findings have important practical implications for consumers, online retailers, and review-hosting firms.     

Mapping Between 2-D Meshes of the Same Size

1IntroductionInrece11tyears,n1a11yparallelalgoritlImshavebeendesignedtosolvedifferentproblemso1lvario1ls11etworktopologics.Bi11arytrees,meshesandhypercubesarethethreeimportal1tl1etworktop()logieswllicllhaterpcoivedintensivestlldy.WiththeadvanceofVLSI,manyllewl1etworkssuchasstargrapl1[1]havebeenorwiIlbeintroduced.Inor相似文献   

Do zoom meetings really help? A comparative analysis of synchronous and asynchronous online learning during Covid-19 pandemic

Background

Online learning and teaching were globally popularized due to the impact of Covid-19. The pandemic has made both synchronous and asynchronous online learning inevitable in regions privileged with the technological affordance.

Aims

This study was designed to examine and compare the effectiveness of both learning modes through the Community of Inquiry framework.

Materials & Methods

Comparative analyses on a sample of N = 170 undergraduate students who took both synchronous and asynchronous online courses in Spring 2021.

Results

The paired-sample T-tests results indicated a significant difference in social presence, cognitive presence and self-evaluated performance.

Discussion & Conclusion

Teaching presence significantly influenced social presence and cognitive presence in both learning modes. However, under synchronous learning mode, social presence significantly impacted self-evaluation, grades and school identification. While social presence only influenced school identification under asynchronous learning mode. Theoretical and practical implications were also included.     

Can learning be virtually boosted? An investigation of online social networking impacts

Online social networking has deeply penetrated university campuses, influencing multiple aspects of student life. We investigate the impacts of individual online social networking engagement (e.g., on Facebook) from a pedagogical standpoint. Based on social learning theory, we argue that two socialization processes, social acceptance and acculturation, bridge individual online social networking engagement with three domains of social learning outcomes. Results from a survey accompanied by focus group discussions demonstrate the substantial impacts of university student online social networking engagement on social learning processes and outcomes. Online social networking not only directly influences university students’ learning outcomes, but also helps the students attain social acceptance from others and adapt to university culture, both of which play prominent roles in improving their learning outcomes.     

How credible are online product reviews? The effects of self-generated and system-generated cues on source credibility evaluation

Online product reviews are important information sources in the consumer decision-making process. Despite the importance of online reviews in product evaluation, there is an emerging need to address the role of self-generated and system-generated information in enhancing the credibility of online reviews. Two experiments were conducted to examine the topic. Study 1 found significant interactions between perceived similarity and source reputation on the evaluation of trustworthiness and expertise. Study 2 extended the findings of study 1 by examining how argument quality influenced credibility perception under different levels of similarity and source reputation.