Applying the dynamic capabilities framework in the case of a large public construction client

Public clients in the construction sector face a number of challenges in designing, procuring and managing major construction projects. The client’s role in bringing about project delivery has more recently been emphasized, particularly with respect to developing capabilities that facilitate the coordinating of projects through its different phases. In line with these developments, this paper sets out to examine the management of capabilities in a client organization through the lens of the dynamic capabilities framework. In particular, what is investigated is how the client organization senses, seizes and transforms opportunities. In pursuit of this objective, an exploratory case study approach is adopted which examines one of Sweden’s largest public client organizations. The study explores the concept of dynamic capabilities and its applicability to the public construction context. Although the usefulness of dynamic capabilities as an interpretive framework is recognized, it is suggested that the concept of dynamic capabilities is inadequate for addressing the specific context in which public client organizations operate. Particularly with respect to the project-based characteristic of these organizations and the difficulty in framing what constitutes “competitive advantage” for public organizations.     

Do age and gender differences exist in selfie-related behaviours?

Recently scholars have started examining selfie-related behaviour, with an emphasis on young women. However, little is known about age and gender differences in selfie-taking and posting patterns. To address this gap, an online survey of a sample of 3763 Norwegian social media users was carried out. This study provides the first empirical evidence on how adolescents (aged 12 to 19), young adults (20–30) and adults (31–50) differ in terms of selfie behaviour. Females were more likely to take personal and group selfies, post personal selfies, crop photos and use photographic filters compared to males. Adolescents were found to be more likely than young adults to take own and group selfies, post own selfies, and use photographic filters. Similarly, young adults were more likely to take own and group selfies, post and edit photos than older adults. The predictive effect of age was stronger among women than among men regarding selfie taking, posting and editing behaviour. The interpretations and implications of the study findings are discussed in the light of previous literature.     

The effects of the self and social identity on the intention to microblog: An extension of the theory of planned behavior

Microblogging has become one of the most popular social communication styles in the world. Much research has already addressed this hot issue; however, studies examining the intentions behind microblogging behaviors are limited. This study extended the theory of planned behavior (TPB) to predict intention to microblog and other behaviors. The results showed that social identity was the greatest predictor of intention, followed by attitude and perceived behavioral control. Social identity fully mediated the effects of subjective norms and self-identity on intention. Intention significantly predicted users' microblogging behaviors. These results have important implications for industry players and marketing managers.     

A revised examination of the dual pathway model for bulimic symptoms: The importance of social comparisons made on Facebook and sociotropy

ObjectiveTo replicate the Dual Pathway Model (DPM) of bulimia nervosa (BN) symptoms prospectively, and to assess whether a revised version of the DPM that included the variables social comparisons made on Facebook and sociotropy influenced the DPM.MethodParticipants were 245 females who completed baseline measures (T1) that assessed the DPM, as well as the constructs social comparisons made on Facebook, and sociotropy, and a follow-up questionnaire, which assessed symptoms of depression, bulimia, and dietary restraint, one month later (T2).ResultsPath analysis revealed that the original and the revised DPMs had excellent fit once modifications to the respective models were made. In both DPMs, T1 pressures to be thin and T1 thin ideal internalization were related to T1 body dissatisfaction. T1 body dissatisfaction prospectively predicted T2 depressive symptoms and T2 bulimic symptoms, but not T2 dietary restraint. Furthermore, T2 dietary restraint, but not T2 depressive symptoms, predicted T2 BN symptoms. Results also showed that T2 dietary restraint was associated with T2 depressive symptoms. In the revised DPM, T1 social comparisons made on Facebook were associated with T1 body dissatisfaction, T1 pressures to be thin, and T2 bulimic symptoms. T1 sociotropy was related to T1 social comparisons on Facebook, T1 pressures to be thin, T1 body dissatisfaction, and T2 bulimic symptoms.ConclusionsFindings suggest the BN preventative efforts might benefit from addressing appropriate forms of social comparisons, especially those made on Facebook, and the personality trait sociotropy.     

The dynamic role of social media during Hurricane #Sandy: An introduction of the STREMII model to weather the storm of the crisis lifecycle

Social media has introduced a key ingredient, and a potentially unfamiliar variable, into the practice of crisis communication. In this paper, the authors critically assess the social media milestones related to Hurricane Sandy according to situational crisis communication theory (SCCT) (Coombs, 2007). Further, we discuss the crisis lifecycle of Hurricane Sandy with regard to the potential implementation of the STREMII model of social media crisis management, a proposed model originated through this research application. This original model develops from lessons and best practices discovered in historical and contemporary cases of social media crises and crisis management. The researchers acknowledge potential limitations and describe steps for further development of the model through research, all the while recognizing the powerful and paradoxical role of social media in the crisis management process. In reflection of Hurricane Sandy, further qualitative and quantitative examinations of crisis events are encouraged to evaluate the STREMII model continually in the dynamic social media climate and across the vast facets of crisis communication.     

The dark side of social networking sites:Understanding phishing risks

LinkedIn, with over 1.5 million Groups, has become a popular place for business employees to create private groups to exchange information and communicate. Recent research on social networking sites (SNSs) has widely explored the phenomenon and its positive effects on firms. However, social networking's negative effects on information security were not adequately addressed. Supported by the credibility, persuasion and motivation theories, we conducted 1) a field experiment, demonstrating how sensitive organizational data can be exploited, followed by 2) a qualitative study of employees engaged in SNSs activities; and 3) interviews with Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs). Our research has resulted in four main findings: 1) employees are easily deceived and susceptible to victimization on SNSs where contextual elements provide psychological triggers to attackers; 2) organizations lack mechanisms to control SNS online security threats, 3) companies need to strengthen their information security policies related to SNSs, where stronger employee identification and authentication is needed, and 4) SNSs have become important security holes where, with the use of social engineering techniques, malicious attacks are easily facilitated.     

Social presence,trust, and social commerce purchase intention: An empirical research

Lacking the presence of human and social elements is claimed one major weakness that is hindering the growth of e-commerce. The emergence of social commerce might help ameliorate this situation. Social commerce is a new evolution of e-commerce that combines the commercial and social activities by deploying social technologies into e-commerce sites. Social commerce reintroduces the social aspect of shopping to e-commerce, increasing the degree of social presences in online environment. Drawing upon the social presence theory, this study theorizes the nature of social aspect in online SC marketplace by proposing a set of three social presence variables. These variables are then hypothesized to have positive impacts on trusting beliefs which in turn result in online purchase behaviors. The research model is examined via data collected from a typical e-commerce site in China. Our findings suggest that social presence factors grounded in social technologies contribute significantly to the building of the trustworthy online exchanging relationships. In doing so, this paper confirms the positive role of social aspect in shaping online purchase behaviors, providing a theoretical evidence for the fusion of social and commercial activities. Finally, this paper introduces a new perspective of e-commerce and calls more attention to this new phenomenon of social commerce.     

Emotional disclosure on social networking sites: The role of network structure and psychological needs

We conducted three studies to understand how online emotional disclosure is influenced by social network structure on Facebook. Results showed that emotional disclosure was associated with both the density and size of users’ personal networks. Facebook users with denser networks disclosed more positive and negative emotions, and the relation between network density and emotional disclosure was mediated by stronger need for emotional expression. Facebook users with larger networks on Facebook disclosed more positive emotions, and the relation between network size and emotional disclosure was mediated by a stronger need for impression management. Our study extends past research by revealing the psychological mechanisms through which personal social network structure influences emotional disclosure. It suggests that social network size and density are associated with different psychological needs, which in turn lead to different patterns of emotional disclosure.     

Gravitating towards Facebook (GoToFB): What it is? and How can it be measured?

In its current state, the Facebook literature speaks very little about metrics developed specifically for this important social networking service. This study tries to fill part of this gap by conceptualizing, developing and validating a new Facebook use construct, “Gravitating towards Facebook” (GoToFB). Unlike traditional Facebook usage views that have focused on lean usage measures, the one presented in the current study offers a broader conceptualization of the same by taking into account the interaction among three elements: the user, Facebook features, and task. This investigation has put extensive efforts to validate the new Facebook instrument using a series of exploratory and confirmatory scale development techniques and found that it exhibits adequate measurement properties. The resultant scale consists of eight dimensions: connecting, sharing, relaxing, organizing, branding, monitoring, expressing, and learning. The instrument would be useful for businesses looking for deeply understanding how potential customers use Facebook and for researchers seeking to develop and test Facebook success models.