Search results
1 – 10 of over 1000Ehinome Ikhalia, Alan Serrano, David Bell and Panos Louvieris
Online social network (OSN) users have a high propensity to malware threats due to the trust and persuasive factors that underpin OSN models. The escalation of social engineering…
Abstract
Purpose
Online social network (OSN) users have a high propensity to malware threats due to the trust and persuasive factors that underpin OSN models. The escalation of social engineering malware encourages a growing demand for end-user security awareness measures. The purpose of this paper is to take the theoretical cybersecurity awareness model TTAT-MIP and test its feasibility via a Facebook app, namely social network criminal (SNC).
Design/methodology/approach
The research employs a mixed-methods approach to evaluate the SNC app. A system usability scale measures the usability of SNC. Paired samples t-tests were administered to 40 participants to measure security awareness – before and after the intervention. Finally, 20 semi-structured interviews were deployed to obtain qualitative data about the usefulness of the App itself.
Findings
Results validate the effectiveness of OSN apps utilising a TTAT-MIP model – specifically the mass interpersonal persuasion (MIP) attributes. Using TTAT-MIP as a guidance, practitioners can develop security awareness systems that better leverage the intra-relationship model of OSNs.
Research limitations/implications
The primary limitation of this study is the experimental settings. Although the results testing the TTAT-MIP Facebook app are promising, these were set under experimental conditions.
Practical implications
SNC enable persuasive security behaviour amongst employees and avoid potential malware threats. SNC support consistent security awareness practices by the regular identification of new threats which may inspire the creation of new security awareness videos.
Social implications
The structure of OSNs is making it easier for malicious users to carry out their activities without the possibility of detection. By building a security awareness programme using the TTAT-MIP model, organisations can proactively manage security awareness.
Originality/value
Many security systems are cumbersome, inconsistent and non-specific. The outcome of this research provides organisations and security practitioners with a framework for designing and developing proactive and tailored security awareness systems.
Details
Keywords
Mikkel Thelle and Nanna Bonde Thylstrup
This paper aims to view the concept of persuasive technology as a framework for discussing cultural politics on the internet. Taking digital collections as a point of departure…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to view the concept of persuasive technology as a framework for discussing cultural politics on the internet. Taking digital collections as a point of departure, the cases of Europeana and Google Books are to be discussed as promoting different assemblies of information, practice and identity politics. Through this discussion the study aims to show how the internet becomes territorialized through persuasive mechanisms.
Design/methodology/approach
The study applies different concepts on the cases, derived from different fields of social theory, such as “soft power”, “assembly” and “folksonomy” in order to question the traditional view of persuasive technology as a concept instrumental to, for example, marketing agendas. Targeting the relation between policy and everyday practice, the paper aims to open a discussion of persuasive technology deeply embedded in digital cultural politics.
Findings
The study points through a conceptual investigation to a new scene for critically debating persuasive technology as digital cultural politics. The cases in question emphasize the relation between microscopic practices and global agendas on the internet, and the study concludes that the concepts employed can qualify such a future debate.
Research limitations/implications
The paper suggests a number of problems and questions, but since the cases have limited source material, the perspective is rather to suggest a change of terminology than analyzing Europeana or Google Books. What is found, though, is that a future critical debate of persuasive territories is more important than ever before.
Originality/value
This paper points to a new potential in the use of persuasion as a concept in the study of cultural power relations.
Details
Keywords
Susan Ferebee and James Wayne Davis
Recent neuroscience research demonstrates that individuals born after 1980 (technologically structured individuals (TSI)) differ in brain structure from individuals born before…
Abstract
Purpose
Recent neuroscience research demonstrates that individuals born after 1980 (technologically structured individuals (TSI)) differ in brain structure from individuals born before 1980 (non‐technologically structured individuals (NTSI), due to intense technology exposure from early ages. This preliminary research seeks to view persuasion through the lens of neuroscience and to apply the concepts to persuasive technology, specifically persuasive technology that can leverage the resurgent interest in library use by younger generations.
Design/methodology/approach
A descriptive, correlative, quantitative study is used to explore how TSIs and NTSIs differ in their perceptions of libraries and in their responses to persuasive stimuli that might be employed to engage them in increased library use. An online survey was administered to a sample of 310 internet users between the ages of 18‐70.
Findings
The study found that there are small but important differences in TSI and NTSI perceptions of libraries and librarians. Additionally, three factors emerge about TSIs that are relevant to persuasion and persuasive technology: TSIs are rapid cycle processors of audio and visual stimulus; TSIs perceive and utilize time differently than NTSIs; and immediacy is the norm for TSIs.
Research limitations/implications
Library users who do not use computers or the internet were excluded.
Practical implications
As librarians take responsibility for promoting library resources and their own expertise, they may find their role moving from information providers to mentors who empower library users as independent researchers. Currently a quiet place for research, the future library may become an interactive learning environment. Persuasive technology designers must consider the unique characteristics of TSIs in order to implement effective persuasive techniques.
Originality/value
This study is original in applying the neuroscience lens to persuasion, and specifically to persuasion related to library users and improved engagement and library use.
Details
Keywords
This paper considers the implications of mass communications theory on public relations (PR) evaluation and briefly reviews mass communication effects, persuasion, and cognition…
Abstract
This paper considers the implications of mass communications theory on public relations (PR) evaluation and briefly reviews mass communication effects, persuasion, and cognition, attitude and behaviour change theories. The implications for evaluation are then examined. Reliance on domino models is shown to be too simplistic. It is suggested that claims of PR behavioural effects may be unrealistic and it is argued that more moderate and/or alternative goals are needed if preordained failure is to be avoided. Evaluation results must be interpreted cautiously so that further significance that is not supported by theory is not assumed. This paper shows how the concept of PR evaluation could be widened to include formative evaluation and broad environmental monitoring, which are especially important in identifying and understanding why and how communication works, what its effects are, what factors restrict or facilitate effectiveness and under what conditions success can be maximised.
Details
Keywords
Seyed Mehdi Sharifi, Mohammad Reza Jalilvand and Mohammad Reza Shakoorian Fard
The importance of effective public messages has been widely recognized during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. In particular, the role of news items and…
Abstract
Purpose
The importance of effective public messages has been widely recognized during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. In particular, the role of news items and interpersonal conversations for the acceptance of public health measures has been highlighted. The authors propose a conceptual model based on the existing literature on how to measure the degree of persuasion of news narratives in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors adopted a whole population approach, where the unit of analysis was the population of the media news about the COVID-19 pandemic. The authors selected a sample to develop and test their conceptual model. The sample size was n = 248. The questionnaire was distributed online using a non-probability convenience sampling plan. The authors used a pre-post pseudo-experimental design. Respondents answered questions about their attitude toward the COVID-19 pandemic. After watching a narrative news report on the same subject, they then answered questions designed to measure changes in their attitude. A structural equation model, the Sobel test and a paired samples t-test were used to test hypotheses.
Findings
The results showed that there is a significant relationship between narrative with transportation and empathy. There was also a positive and significant relationship between transportation and empathy with attitude and interpersonal talk. The relationship between transportation and self-referencing was also supported. Further, transportation and attitude mediated the relationships between narrative and interpersonal talk, self-referencing as well as empathy. A paired samples t-test revealed that attitudes were changed or reinforced before and after watching the narrative news report.
Originality/value
This paper contributes to the body of knowledge by identifying the outcomes of narrative persuasion during public health crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
Details
Keywords
Traces the diffusion of palm oil by a joint venture company in Indonesiaduring the early 1980s. The diffusion framework provided by E.M. Rogersis examined in this context. The…
Abstract
Traces the diffusion of palm oil by a joint venture company in Indonesia during the early 1980s. The diffusion framework provided by E.M. Rogers is examined in this context. The author relates his personal observations over the course of two years and arrives at certain conclusions. In keeping with Rogers′ framework, characteristics of the innovation and change agent effort were critical in the diffusion. However, Rogers′ two‐step model of diffusion was not relevant in this case. A one‐step model of diffusion is recommended for the marketing of industrial products where knowledge of the innovation is considered to be proprietary information and is not spread through interpersonal networks.
Details
Keywords
Huong Thi Thanh Tran and James Corner
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the distinct effects of different communication channels, particularly interpersonal networks, social media, and mass media on customer…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the distinct effects of different communication channels, particularly interpersonal networks, social media, and mass media on customer beliefs and usage intention in a mobile banking (MB) context.
Design/methodology/approach
This study employed a combination of both qualitative and quantitative research approaches with an exploratory sequential research design in two major phases: focus groups; and a large-scale survey among 183 New Zealand young adults.
Findings
The most significant influential factor of usage intention was perceived usefulness, followed by perceived credibility and perceived costs. Face-to-face communication with bank staff and close acquaintances was perceived as the most reliable and persuasive sources of banking-related information. Moreover, mass channels were considered to be more important and trustworthy than social media in the MB sector. The research results revealed that the current status of MB diffusion in New Zealand is in the latter stages (Late Majority and Laggards) of the innovation diffusion cycle.
Practical implications
In light of the research findings, bank marketers can make the right decisions on marketing actions to promote MB effectively as well as develop appropriate communication policies to speed up the consumer decision process. Researchers and allied industries (e.g. mobile commercial services) could also gain benefits from applying these results to understand the impact of communication channels on consumer perceptions and behaviours towards new technology acceptance.
Originality/value
The research outcomes have served to broaden the knowledge into the distinguishing influences of major communication channels on customers’ beliefs and intention to adopt new banking services.
Details
Keywords
The purpose of the current study is to investigate the effects of individual-level (espoused) cultural values (collectivism, power distance, uncertainty avoidance, masculinity and…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of the current study is to investigate the effects of individual-level (espoused) cultural values (collectivism, power distance, uncertainty avoidance, masculinity and long-term orientation) on the individuals' acceptability of inappropriate social network behaviors.
Design/methodology/approach
The study employs survey data collected from 482 social network users (261 in the United States and 221 from India).
Findings
Results show that individuals with high power distance, masculinity and long-term oriented cultural values are more accepting of inappropriate social network behaviors of others, while those with strong uncertainty avoidance cultural values have high degree of social network behavior inappropriateness, which is defined as the extent to which behaviors of social network users are considered unacceptable by others.
Research limitations/implications
The paper highlights the need for more academic research on the intersection of culture and social network behaviors. This study emphasizes the need for adopting an interdisciplinary approach to understand individuals' social network behaviors.
Practical implications
The paper offers recommendations to global organizations pertaining to the need for creating social network policies in such a way that encourages their global workforce to openly, yet respectfully, share their ideas using social networks.
Originality/value
Using an interdisciplinary approach, the present study extends our understanding of a recently proposed social network behavioral inappropriateness construct and explains how differences in cultural values may lead to differences in individuals' social network behaviors.
Details
Keywords
Emmeline de Pillis and Kathleen K. Reardon
The purpose of this paper is to examine persuasion and personality variables as predictors of entrepreneurial intention in a cross‐cultural sample.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine persuasion and personality variables as predictors of entrepreneurial intention in a cross‐cultural sample.
Design/methodology/approach
Undergraduates in the USA and the Republic of Ireland completed measures of personal efficacy, achievement motivation, ambiguity tolerance, attitudes toward entrepreneurship, and entrepreneurial intention.
Findings
The results suggest that the decision to become an entrepreneur comes about differently in different cultures. US participants appear to perceive entrepreneurship as a societally sanctioned and appropriate outlet for their achievement motivation. While achievement motivation correlated with entrepreneurial intention for the US participants, this result did not obtain for the Irish subjects. In both cultures, those who have come to believe that being an entrepreneur is consistent with their self‐image showed strong entrepreneurial intention independent of their other beliefs about entrepreneurship. This study suggests that recollections of positive interpersonal and mass media messages about entrepreneurship encourage entrepreneurial intention – but only for US participants. Other factors discussed in this report appear to mitigate the effect of such recollections for the Irish.
Research limitations/implications
This study is part of a larger research program that includes following up on these participants at a later date. With longitudinal data, we will be able to track the relationship between stated entrepreneurial intention and later business startup.
Originality/value
This investigation compares factors influencing entrepreneurial intention in the USA and Ireland.
Details
Keywords
P.W. Turnbull and A. Meenaghan
Declares that diffusion (a term employed to describe the process whereby an innovation or a new idea or practice spreads through a social system over time) is a summary term used…
Abstract
Declares that diffusion (a term employed to describe the process whereby an innovation or a new idea or practice spreads through a social system over time) is a summary term used to embrace studies which trace the process of diffusion, the process of adoption and the patterns of influence involved. Acknowledges that even allowing for low involvement of marketing research in diffusion, marketing management's interest in this area can be guided and controlled. States that information is diffused through some form of communication channel – these may be one of two types: vertical channels, which exist if ‘there is a meaningful difference in the interests, social status, demographic or economic characteristics of the communication units’; and horizontal channels, which occur where communications flows among members of groups with similar interests and characteristics – these groups may be work groups, social groups, etc. Investigates sources of information and influence – in particular the two basic ones of: impersonal sources via the mass media; and personal sources involving the opinion leader in a two‐step flow of communication. Closes by discussing the implications of the two‐step flow for marketing in depth, with recommendations.
Details