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The purpose of this paper is to investigate: first, the effects of a user’s grandiosity on the loneliness of another user on Facebook who detected it in terms of his/her well-being status; second, the mediational role of envy between grandiosity and loneliness; and, third, whether different effects are given on narcissism, envy, and loneliness depending on social or para-social relationships on Facebook.

This study’s focus is to investigate how observing others’ grandiose behaviors impact on individuals’ feeling of loneliness. The authors propose that this relationship is mediated by the feeling of envy. The authors further postulate that social relationships that participants may have with other Facebook users would play a key role in feeling different types of envy (i.e. malicious vs benign). Therefore, the current study employed a 2 (levels of grandiosity: high vs low) × 2 (social relationship: para-social vs social) between-subjects design.

The authors found that one’s grandiosity as reflected on Facebook significantly affects other users’ loneliness through malicious envy. However, no moderated mediation via envy (either benign or malicious) was found within the social relationship group.

Social comparison generated by the use of Facebook was found to have an effect on the user’s loneliness through the mediation of envy. In particular, the possibility that such effects could be triggered in para-social relationships was identified.

This study examines opinion leadership's personal and social characteristics to see which one is more effective in opinion leadership in four different industries: fashion, travel and tourism, wellness and book and literature. The specific subject of this investigation is how largely openness, exhibitionism and competence in interpersonal relationships and status and attitude homophily affect the opinion leadership and the decision-making of opinion leaders' followers.

The proposed model was tested with the questionnaire shared via stories featured on Instagram among followers of four micro-influencers in different industries. For the purpose of testing the offered hypotheses of this study, the partial least squares method was used.

The findings show that openness, exhibitionism and competence in interpersonal relationships have a substantial effect on opinion leadership. It was also evident that status and attitude homophily impact opinion leadership. The model supports the effect of both personal and social characteristics on opinion leadership; however, based on the results, the effect of personal characteristics on opinion leadership is more remarkable, both in a direct relationship and through the mediating role of para-social interaction.

This study is novel in categorizing opinion leaders' attributes in two different extents of personal and social characteristics. The authors defined a model of the effectiveness of each personal and social characteristic on opinion leaders. The model investigates whether the personal or social characteristics have the most effect on opinion leadership, particularly with the mediating role of para-social interaction.

Based on interviews with 27 victims’ family members and survivors, this chapter explores how memory of the Oklahoma City bombing was constructed through participation in groups formed after the bombing and participation in the trials of Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols. It first addresses the efficacy of a collective memory perspective. It then describes the mental context in which interviewees joined groups after the bombing, the recovery functions groups played, and their impact on punishment expectations. Next, it discusses a media-initiated involuntary relationship between McVeigh and interviewees. Finally, this chapter examines execution witnesses’ perceptions of communication with McVeigh in his trial and execution.

Despite the burgeoning popularity of virtual gifting in live streaming, research lacks an in-depth understanding of the drivers behind this behavior. Using para-social relationship (PSR), this study aims to capture viewers’ lively social feelings toward the streamer as the key factor leading to the purchase behavior of virtual gifts. It also aims to establish a theoretical link between PSR and viewers’ holistic experience in live streaming as captured by cognitive absorption and aims to investigates the role of technological features (i.e. viewer–streamer and viewer–viewer interactivity, streamer-level and viewer-level deep profiling and design aesthetics) in shaping viewers’ experience.

Based on 433 survey responses, this study employs a combination of structural equation modeling and neural networks to offer valuable insights into the relationships between the technological environment, viewer experience and viewer behavior.

Our results highlight the salience of PSR in promoting the purchase of virtual gifts through cognitive absorption and the importance of the technological environment in eliciting the viewer experience. This study sheds light on the development of PSR in a technological environment and its relationship with cognitive absorption.

By applying PSR to conceptualize viewers’ perceived connection with the streamer, this study extends the research on purchase behavior in the non-shopping context by providing an enlightened understanding of virtual gift purchase behavior in live streaming. Moreover, by theoretically linking PSR with cognitive absorption, virtual gift purchase and technological features of live streaming, it enriches the theory of PSR and bridges the gap between the design practice of supporting the IT infrastructure of live streaming and research.

This study examines factors influencing viewers' impulse buying intention in live streaming. The authors draw upon the value theory to theorize how the product (i.e., local presence) and para-social interaction (PSI) in live-streaming shopping improve customers' shopping values and how these values subsequently influence their urge to buy impulsively. In addition, the authors examine value differences in live-streaming shopping through gender differences and previous shopping experiences.

An online survey was conducted in this study. Members with browsing or shopping experience of live-streaming shopping sites were invited. The structural equation model was used to conduct confirmative factor analysis (CFA) to assess the convergent validity (item loadings), internal consistency (reliability), discriminant validity, causality hypotheses, and mediating effects.

Utilitarian value appears more important than hedonic value in influencing consumers' urge to buy impulsively. Moreover, PSI with the co-viewers is more influential than PSI with the streamer on utilitarian and hedonic values. Finally, gender differences and prior live-streaming shopping experience moderate the relationship between shopping values and the urge to buy impulsively.

The authors extend the concept of PSI from a celebrity (the streamer) to co-viewers and find that PSI with co-viewers is crucial to impulse buying in live streaming. Additionally, the authors’ finding reveals that consumers with individual differences may react differently to the same set of perceived values in determining the level of their impulse shopping intention.

Social robots are invading our daily lives. Recently, thanks to artificial intelligence, humanoid social robots have been developed and influence individuals on social media. This paper aims to understand the perception of luxury consumers regarding human-like virtual influencers (VI) in a multicultural context.

Conducting a qualitative method, the authors interviewed 32 Chinese and French consumers of luxury products from the Gen-Z and millennial generation about their perception of human influencers and human-like VI after following them on social media specific platforms.

Using source credibility theory, this research unveils the different ways in which consumers perceive human-like VI according to their physical or content attractiveness, expertise, similarities and trustworthiness. The results suggest that the perception of human-like VI by millennials and Gen-Z is closely related to their cultural setting and their familiarity of the technology in a luxury context.

Considering Gen-Z and millennials' willing for para-social interactions and given the importance to the credibility of the source or the emotions displayed by VI, the intercultural empirical setting of this study introduces the ambivalence of the perception of social robots versus human-like influencers in a luxury digital context.

The purpose of this paper is to examine the development, extension and use of the “six markets” model and to outline a framework for analysing stakeholder relationships and planning stakeholder strategy.

The “six markets” stakeholder model is examined. Refinement of the model and improved understanding as a result of field‐based research is described. A stakeholder relationship planning framework is proposed.

The paper examines the use of the “six markets” model in a wide range of organisational contexts utilizing a range of research approaches. A stakeholder relationship planning model is developed consisting of four inter‐related elements, i.e. stakeholder value propositions, value delivery design, stakeholder relationship marketing plans, and measurement and feedback.

The article suggests a number of areas for future research, including the development of planning approaches for different classes of stakeholders and more detailed testing of the stakeholder model and planning framework in specific market sectors.

The research suggests that managers find that the development and implementation of relationship plans for the key stakeholder markets generates valuable new knowledge and insights into stakeholder conditions, constraints and opportunities.

This article contributes to knowledge in the relationship marketing and stakeholder theory areas through the development, refinement and use of a planning model that addresses the complexity of stakeholder relationships and networks. The stakeholder planning approach that is developed represents a means by which managers can achieve greater transparency of stakeholders' interests and improved rigour in planning relationships with stakeholders.

Video game streaming (VGS) is emerging as an extremely popular, highly interactive, inordinately subscribed and very dynamic form of digital media. Incorporated environmental elements, gratifications and user pre-existing attitudes in VGS, this paper presents the development of an extended model of uses and gratification theory (EUGT) for predicting users' behavior in novel technological context.

The proposed model was empirically tested in VGS context due to its popularity, interactivity and relevance. Data collected from 308 VGS users and structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed to assess the hypotheses. Multi-model comparison technique was used to assess the explanatory power of EUGT.

The findings confirmed three significant types elements in determining VGS viewers' engagement, including gratifications (e.g. involvement), environmental cues (e.g. medium appeal) and user predispositions (e.g. pre-existing attitudes). The results revealed that emerging technologies provide potential opportunities for new motives and gratifications, and highlighted the significant of pre-existing attitudes as a mediator in the gratification-uses link.

This study is one of its kind in tackling the criticism on UGT of considering media users too rational or active. The study achieved this objective by considering environmental impacts on user behavior which is largely ignored in recent UGT studies. Also, by incorporating users pre-existing attitudes into UGT framework, this study conceptualized and empirically verified the higher explanatory power of EUGT through a novel multi-modal approach in VGS. Compared to other rival models, EUGS provides a more robust explanation of users' behavior. The findings contribute to the literature of UGT, VGS and users' engagement.

A daily vlog is a new type of film tourism that has been underexplored in the literature. This study aims to explore the key elements of daily vlogs that trigger a followers’ travel intention within the framework of enduring involvement. The study will highlight the affect-inspiring role of para-social relationships (PSR), extending the scope of film tourism research.

In Study 1, the objective was to investigate the essential components of enduring involvement in destination-life scenarios. This was accomplished through the analysis of qualitative data, including interview data collected from 15 participants and more than 20,000 words extracted from online blogs, barrages and comments. Additionally, Study 2 used 376 questionnaires to test the proposed structural model.

Within daily vlog-induced tourism, PSR assumes a pivotal role as a catalyst for evoking emotions. This phenomenon is interwoven with enduring involvement and has a direct impact on the determination of travel intention. Within the contextual framework of enduring involvement, constituents such as destination-life self-disclosure, situational resonance and affective belonging converge synergistically. These elements collectively underpin the process through which followers harness PSR as a driving force for nurturing travel intentions within the realm of daily vlog-induced tourism.

This study proposes the concept of daily vlog-induced tourism and emphasizes the emotion-inspiring role of PSR, to extend film tourism research to include daily vlogs. The study then explores the influencing factors of daily vlog-induced tourism under the framework of enduring involvement, providing a new understanding of enduring involvement in daily vlog-induced tourism.

日常视频博客是一种新型的电影旅游, 但文献中对它的研究还不够。本研究旨在持久卷入的框架内探讨日常视频博客触发追随者旅游意向的关键因素。本研究将强调辅助准社会关系的情感激励作用, 从而扩展电影旅游研究的范围。

研究1的目的是调查目的地生活场景中持久参与的基本要素。为此, 研究人员分析了定性数据, 包括从15名参与者那里收集的访谈数据, 以及从在线博客、弹幕（即时更新的互动评论系统）和评论中提取的 20,000 多字的数据。此外, 研究2利用 376 份调查问卷对所提出的结构模型进行了检验。

在由日常博客引发的旅游中, 准社会关系作为唤起情感的催化剂发挥着举足轻重的作用。这一现象与持久参与交织在一起, 并对旅游意向的产生产生直接影响。在持久参与的情境框架内, 目的地生活的自我披露、情境共鸣和情感归属等要素协同作用。这些要素共同支撑着追随者利用准社会关系的过程, 准社会关系在日常视频博客引发的旅游领域中是培育旅游意愿的驱动力。

本研究提出了“日常视频博客诱导旅游” 的概念, 并强调了准社会关系的情感激励作用, 从而将电影旅游研究扩展至日常微博。随后, 研究在持久参与的框架下探讨了日常视频博客诱发旅游的影响因素, 为日常视频博客诱发旅游中的持久参与提供了新的理解。

Los “vlogs” diarios son un nuevo tipo de turismo cinematográfico poco explorado en la bibliografía. Este estudio pretende explorar los elementos clave de los vlogs diarios que desencadenan la intención de viaje de los seguidores en el marco de la implicación duradera. El estudio destacará el papel inspirador de afecto de las relaciones para-sociales (RPS), ampliando el alcance de la investigación sobre el turismo cinematográfico.

En el Estudio 1, el objetivo era investigar los componentes esenciales de la implicación duradera en escenarios de vida en destino. Para ello se analizaron datos cualitativos, incluidos datos de entrevistas realizadas a 15 participantes y más de 20.000 palabras extraídas de blogs, “barrages” (un sistema de comentarios interactivos actualizados al instante) y comentarios. Además, el Estudio 2 utilizó 376 cuestionarios para poner a prueba el modelo estructural propuesto.

Dentro del turismo cotidiano inducido por los “vlogs”, la RSP asume un papel fundamental como catalizador para evocar emociones. Este fenómeno se entrelaza con la implicación duradera y tiene un impacto directo en la determinación de la intención de viaje. En el marco contextual de la implicación duradera convergen sinérgicamente elementos como la autodivulgación de la vida en el destino (AD), la resonancia situacional y la pertenencia afectiva. Estos elementos apuntalan colectivamente el proceso a través del cual los seguidores aprovechan el PSR como fuerza motriz para alimentar las intenciones de viaje en el ámbito del turismo cotidiano inducido por los “vlogs”.

Este estudio propone el concepto de turismo diario inducido por “vlogs” y hace hincapié en el papel inspirador de emociones del PSR, para ampliar la investigación sobre el turismo cinematográfico e incluir los “vlogs” diarios. A continuación, el estudio explora los factores que influyen en el turismo diario inducido por “vlogs” bajo el marco de la implicación duradera, proporcionando una nueva comprensión de la implicación duradera en el turismo diario inducido por “vlogs”.

Although governments have used social media platforms to interact with the public in an attempt to minimize anxiety and provide a forum for public discussion during the pandemic, governments require sufficient crisis communication skills to engage citizens in taking appropriate action effectively. This study aims to examine how the National Health Commission of China (NHCC) has used TikTok, the leading short video–based platform, to facilitate public engagement during COVID-19.

Building upon dual process theories, this study integrates the activation of information exposure, prosocial interaction theory and social sharing of emotion theory to explore how public engagement is related to message sensation value (MSV), media character, content theme and emotional valence. A total of 354 TikTok videos posted by NHCC were collected during the pandemic to explore the determinants of public engagement in crises.

The findings demonstrate that MSV negatively predicts public engagement with government TikTok, but that instructional information increases engagement. The presence of celebrities and health-care professionals negatively affects public engagement with government TikTok accounts. In addition, emotional valence serves a moderating role between MSV, media characters and public engagement.

Government agencies must be fully aware of the different combinations of MSV and emotion use in the video title when releasing crisis-related videos. Government agencies can also leverage media characters – health professionals in particular – to enhance public engagement. Government agencies are encouraged to solicit public demand for the specific content of instructing information through data mining techniques.