Ideological motives,digital divides,and political polarization: How do political party preference and values correspond with the political use of social media?

Social media provides new platforms for political participation and ideological categorization. However, little research has been done on how party preference is related to politically active social media use. We begin with a consideration of how political participation on social media has evolved between various socio-economic and demographic groups in advanced information societies and especially in Finland. In our empirical analysis we examine the general use of social media as well as its use for political purposes with the aid of a nationally representative dataset, collected in 2017–2018 from 3724 Finnish citizens. We argue that there are notable differences between parties when examining their supporters’ social media use for political purposes. The differences are related to the digital divides and political extremes. The results confirmed the idea that new political movements made up of younger and more educated supporters have been successful by leveraging social media. The study also revealed that the ideological gap between party supporters is greater in social media especially when examining new kinds of politics based on cultural questions, identity issues, and post-materialist values.     

Comparison of the usability and security of NFC’s different operating modes in mobile devices

This paper highlights the benefits and drawbacks of NFC’s different operating modes with regard to their usability and security. Based on an analysis of both traditional and new communication concepts for mobile NFC devices, their current availability and, specifically, the features to provide security are evaluated. The result of this evaluation is a comparison between the availability, the usability and the security of NFC’s different operating modes.     

Should mobile Internet be an extension to the fixed web? Fixed-mobile reinforcement as mediator between context of use and future use

As the fixed and mobile Internet are converging, the question emerges whether consumers expect mobile Internet services to replicate services they know from the fixed Internet. Literature on reinforcement and displacement suggests that the use of new media depends on whether users are inclined to replace or reinforce their existing media use on a new device. This paper analyzes whether the importance that users attribute to using similar services on their mobile phone as on the fixed Internet can explain the intention to adopt mobile services. Specifically, we investigate if such fixed-mobile reinforcement could mediate the impact of personal innovativeness and several dimensions of context. We compare basic Internet services, entertainment services and transaction services. We find that especially the intention to adopt basic Internet services largely depends on the importance of using similar services in the mobile domain as on the fixed Internet. Several context-of-use predictors are partially or even fully mediated by fixed-mobile reinforcement. The results convey a positive message to operators that are betting on converged multimedia services that can be accessed from any device and from any fixed or mobile network.     

What makes people more polarized? The effects of anonymity,being with like-minded others,and the moderating role of need for approval

Many scholars have argued that anonymity is the main factor in opinion polarization. In recent studies, scholars have found that being with like-minded others can lead people to adopt extreme opinions. The aim of the current study was to explore how these two online environmental factors impact people to move their opinions toward an extreme position (polarize). In addition to environmental factors, we investigated how an individual trait (i.e., need for approval) influenced people to take pre-existing opinions to an extreme position (polarize). We conducted an online experiment (2 [anonymity vs non-anonymity] by 2 [like-minded others vs different-minded others]) using Amazon Mechanical Turk workers (n = 476). Findings showed that being with like-minded others led individuals to move their opinions toward extremity. Furthermore, we found that among participants who were with like-minded others, those in the anonymous condition were most likely to move their opinions toward an extreme end. However, the need for approval did not play a significant moderating role in this process.     

Does social media use really make people politically polarized? Direct and indirect effects of social media use on political polarization in South Korea

To help inform the debate over whether social media is related to political polarization, we investigated the effects of social media use on changes in political view using panel data collected in South Korea (N?=?6411) between 2012 and 2016. We found that, although there were no direct effects of social media use, social media indirectly contributed to polarization through increased political engagement. Those who actively used social network sites were more likely to engage in political processes, which led them to develop more extreme political attitudes over time than those who did not use social network sites. In particular, we observed a clear trend toward a more liberal direction among both politically neutral users and moderately liberal users. In this study, we highlight the role of social media in activating political participation, which eventually pushes the users toward the ideological poles. The implications of these findings are discussed.     

Why do consumers with social phobia prefer anthropomorphic customer service chatbots? Evolutionary explanations of the moderating roles of social phobia

Drawing from evolutionary psychology of anthropomorphism and social phobia, two between-subjects experiments examined the effects of different types of customer service chatbots. Experiment 1 supports the interaction effects between chatbots’ anthropomorphism and consumers’ social phobia on continuance use intention and willingness to recommend the chatbot. Consumers with high social phobia prefer anthropomorphic chatbots to less anthropomorphic chatbots. Experiment 2 confirms the moderating role of social phobia in determining the effects of consumer-chatbot personality matching (similarity attraction) vs. mismatching (complementarity attraction) on the outcome variables only for competent chatbots. For the consumer-chatbot personality mismatching condition, developing competent chatbots for less conscientious consumers with high social phobia will help alleviate socially isolated consumers’ social pain, while developing too smart chatbots for less conscientious consumers with low social phobia can have detrimental effects. Evolutionary psychological mechanisms and managerial implications for chatbot developers and creative directors are explained.     

The effect of γ-ray irradiation on the SOT magnetic films and Hall devices

Magnetoresistive random access memories(MRAMs)have drawn the attention of radiation researchers due to their po-tential high radiation tolerance.In particular,spin-orbit torque MRAM(SOT-MRAM)has the best performance on endurance and access speed,which is considered to be one of the candidates to replace SRAM for space application.However,little atten-tion has been given to the γ-ray irradiation effect on the SOT-MRAM device yet.Here,we report the Co-60 irradiation results for both SOT(spin-orbit torque)magnetic films and SOT-Hall devices with the same stacks.The properties of magnetic films are not affected by radiation even with an accumulated dose up to 300 krad(Si)while the magnetoelectronic properties of SOT-Hall devices exhibit a reversible change behavior during the radiation.We propose a non-equilibrium anomalous Hall effect mod-el to understand the phenomenon.Achieved results and proposed analysis in this work can be used for the material and struc-ture design of memory cell in radiation-hardened SOT-MRAM.     

Why do people purchase virtual goods? A uses and gratification (U&G) theory perspective

Few literature studies have investigated the relationships between different uses and gratifications (U&Gs) of mobile instant messaging (MIM) apps, continuation, and purchase intentions. To address this gap, the researchers aimed to examine the influence of the content, social, process, and technology U&Gs of MIM on continuation intentions toward MIMs, and purchase intentions toward virtual goods available on MIMs. A comprehensive research model was developed based on the U&G theory, which was tested using cross-sectional data from 309 Japanese MIM users. The study considered six different U&Gs of MIM as independent variables and purchase intentions towards stickers and continuation intentions towards MIM as dependent variables. The study results suggest that exposure U&G has a significant positive association with MIM sticker purchase intentions. The entertainment and affection U&G are positively associated with continuation intentions towards MIM use. The study contributes to the literature by investigating U&Gs that motivate MIM users to have both positive purchase intentions toward virtual goods, such as stickers, and continuation intentions toward MIMs. The study has significant theoretical and practical implications for both researchers and practitioners who are interested in virtual goods, the virtual economy, MIM apps, social media, new media, and the service economy.     

Virus tinged? Exploring the facets of virtual reality use in tourism as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic

Several studies have investigated the use of virtual reality (VR) in tourism, but none has taken an epidemiological outlook. This research examined the use of VR in tourism through the lenses of an extended TAM model in times of COVID-19 pandemic. The premise was that, in this context, people would prefer less risky experiences and would see VR as a substitute for traditional travel. The data used was collected through a within-subjects experiment, which proved that intention to use VR in tourism increased under the COVID-19 effect. This study tested a conceptual model that showed this intention was influenced by the perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, and perceived substitutability of VR, all mediated by people’s interest in VR use in tourism. The perceived authenticity of VR experience determined the perceived substitutability of VR. This paper has theoretical and practical implications. In the long term, promoting tourism-related VR activities might reduce the risk of virus spreading, lessen the pressure imposed on this sector by such epidemic episodes, and increase its sustainability.     

Light emitting devices based on Si nanoclusters： the integration with a photonic-crystal and electroluminescence properties

We present the properties and potentialities of light emitting devices based on amorphous Si nanoclusters. Amorphousnanostructures may constitute an interesting alternative to Si nanocrystals for the monolithic integration of optical andelectrical functions in Si technology. In fact, they exhibit an intense room temperature electroluminescence (EL). The ELproperties of these devices have been studied as a function of current and of temperature. Moreover, to improve theextraction efficiency of the light, we have integrated the emitting system with a 2D photonic crystal structure opportunelyfabricated by using conventional optical lithography to reduce the total internal reflection of the emitted light. The extractionefficiency in such devices increases by a factor of 4 at a resonance wavelength.     

Exploring the differences of users’ interaction behaviors on microblog: The moderating role of microblogger’s effort

On microblog, users interact with microbloggers via three behaviors—forward, comment, and like. Prior studies have paid more attention to forward, little research has investigated the differences between these three behaviors. Besides, there is a lack of an integrated theoretical framework that explores whether the same factors have different impacts on the behaviors. This study investigates the differences that users’ interactions behaviors in the presence of the same factors. Building upon elaboration likelihood model (ELM) and text mining, the propose of this study is to systematically explore the relationships among content features (topical relevance, information richness) of post, source features (credibility, social ties and activeness) of microblogger, and users’ interaction behaviors. More importantly, we explore whether such relationships are contingent on microblogger’s effort (material motivation and information originality). A panel data was constructed using a total of 437,533 posts from Sina-Weibo, the largest micro-blogging platform in China. The empirical results show that topical relevance and social ties significantly affect users’ interaction behaviors. Source credibility and source activeness are partially influence the behaviors. additionally, there are positive and negative effects between information richness and the behaviors, indicating that both the bright and dark side of information richness. In addition, the microblogger’s effort moderate the most of the relationships between content features and the three behaviors. These results indicate that there are differences among the three behaviors. Overall, these findings could offer new insights into the deep understanding of the differences among users’ interaction behaviors on microblog.     

Who (and with whom) uses more emoji? Exploring individual,relational, and motivational characteristics driving emoji use

Emoji use, despite being pervasive in digital communication, is often dependent on individual characteristics (e.g., gender, age, personality), relational dimensions (e.g., intimacy with specific others), motives for using them (e.g., because emoji allow to better express emotions), and the context in which they are used (e.g., emoji use is considered more appropriate with closer interlocutors, such as friends). However, research has yet to examine if and how these variables associate with emoji use frequency when considered together. In a correlational study (N = 444), we explored the relative contribution of individual characteristics, perceived relatedness to others, and motives to explain the frequency of emoji use with different interlocutors. Hierarchical linear regressions showed that being younger, scoring higher on conscientiousness, and resorting to emoji for personal contact were correlates of emoji use frequency with closer interlocutors (e.g., family and friends). In contrast, being older, scoring lower on agreeableness, and perceiving more relational intimacy were correlates of emoji use frequency with more distant interlocutors (e.g., supervisors and doctors). Overall, results highlight the need to account for multiple variables at different levels to examine emoji use patterns in digital communication.     

Do social media literacy skills help in combating fake news spread? Modelling the moderating role of social media literacy skills in the relationship between rational choice factors and fake news sharing behaviour

This study modelled the rational factors that predict fake news sharing behaviour. It also tested the moderating role of social media literacy skills. The focus was on social media users in Nigeria. An online survey was conducted to gather the responses from participants across Nigerian geopolitical zones. Structural equation modelling (SEM) Smart PLS 3.6 was used to analyse the data. We found that information sharing, the news finds me perception, trust in social media and status-seeking lead to fake news sharing among social media users in Nigeria. Specifically, trust in social media and status-seeking had a greater effect on fake news sharing behaviour. We also found that social media literacy skills significantly moderate the relationship between information sharing, status-seeking, the news finds me perception, trust in social media and fake news sharing in such a way that the effects/relationships are stronger among those with low social media literacy skills. This outcome contributes to theory and practice which was highlighted in the concluding aspect of this study.     

Is real screen time a determinant of problematic smartphone and social network use among young people?

Smartphone use by adolescents is increasingly attracting the interest of social scientists, parents, and educational stakeholders (teachers, educators, educational policy makers), generally in a negative context. There are, however, many myths surrounding the issue, resulting from the reproduction of stereotypes about the psychosocial functioning of adolescents in cyberspace, as well as inadequately constructed research tools that measure how new media are used. This text is an attempt to show the phenomenon of problematic Internet use through the prism of screen time measured using real data from smartphones. The research was conducted in first half of 2022 among adolescents aged 13–19 in Bosnia and Herzegovina (N = 1185, mean age = 15.47 with standard deviation = 1.84). The research was implemented using a triangulation of tools such as the Smartphone Addiction Scale (SAS Scale), Software Installed on the Smartphone (SIS Scale), The Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS), and the Screen Time Scale (STS). From the data collected, it was noted that: 1) Screen time correlates weakly with problematic smartphone use and social networking; 2)The average period of smartphone use in the study group is 3 h49 minutes per day, of which 37 min are related to web browsing, while 2 h22 minutes are related to social networking; 3) A quarter of adolescents use a smartphone more than 5.5 h per day, of which more than 2 h15 minutes is screen time related to social media; 4) Approximately half of the respondents use smartphones slightly more than 2 h per day; 5) Girls use smartphones for longer than boys; 6) Place of residence (city or countryside) does not affect screen time; 7) Screen time is related to a medium degree to the type of software installed on the smartphone; 8) There is a need to refine the measurement methodology of screen time and to abandon self-declaration in this area.     

Participatory or deliberative democracy? Exploring the mediation effects of perceived online deliberation and online interactive activities on social outcomes

Using the structural equation modeling method (N = 811), this study explores the structural relationships among online news consumption, political participation and social trust, with a focus on the mediating effects of online users’ deliberative perceptions and news-related online interactive activities. The analysis confirms that users’ perceptions of online deliberation exert a significant mediating effect on users’ levels of news consumption, political participation, and social trust. Users’ interactive civic messaging behaviors, on the other hand, solely enhance participatory intentions. The findings also show that the consumption of political news and the consumption of entertainment news have different effects on users’ perceptions of online deliberation, social trust, and political participation. Specifically, while political news has a direct and relatively strong influence on participation, entertainment news has a limited and indirect effect on participation. Online interactive activities are negatively associated with users’ perceived competency for online deliberation. Further implications of the study are also discussed.     

Why do firms adopt cloud computing? A comparative analysis based on South and North Europe firm data

In this paper we empirically investigate and compare to what extent Northern and Southern European firms view cloud computing (CC) as a means of: (a) ICT investment reduction; (b) supporting and facilitating product/service innovation and process innovation; (c) experimenting with and exploiting new ICT; and (d) supporting and facilitating electronic innovation collaboration. This is done by estimating econometrically a model of CC adoption propensity containing measures of the four main adoption motives mentioned above besides further variables that are associated with technology adoption and a series of controls for firm size, sector and country affiliation. Our study is based on a dataset collected through the e-Business W@tch Survey of the European Commission from 556 European firms from the glass, ceramic and cement sectors. These findings indicate that Southern European firms are mainly oriented towards ‘first-level’ cost (and especially investment) reduction related benefits from CC as well as from new emerging ICT, while on the contrary Northern European firms are mainly oriented towards ‘second-level’ transformation related benefits from CC, which are associated with support and facilitation of innovation and external collaboration.     

Who finds value in news comment communities? An analysis of the influence of individual user,perceived news site quality,and site type factors

User commenting forums are a ubiquitous interactive feature offered by news organizations. Despite their popularity, research has generally failed to investigate extent to which news readers themselves find any redeeming value in news comment communities and, therein, the factors that serve as antecedents to such value perceptions. In light of this gap in the literature, this study set out to determine the factors associated with news community value. Using a sample of over 500 news consumers, we explored the impact of individual user, site quality, and site type factors. The results suggested that perceived news community value was highest among those with high levels of self-efficacy and those who use the Internet for civic purposes. The data indicated also that value perceptions were highest for those news sites that were understood to be interactive and aesthetically pleasing. Finally, perceived news community value was highest on sites that were both non-traditional and non-partisan in nature.     

Effect of a policy intervention on handset subsidies on the intention to change handsets and households’ expenses in mobile telecommunications

This study examined effect of a policy intervention that provides an upper limit for handset subsidies on users’ intention to change handset and households’ expenses on mobile telecommunications. The Korean government has prohibited mobile network providers from providing excessive subsidies for mobile handsets to attract subscribers since Nov. 2014 according to the mobile act. Using the exogenous variation, we estimate the impact of the policy on the intention to change handsets and expenses on handset installment, total mobile communications, and online content. The longitudinal data are from the 2014 to 2015 waves of the Korea Media Panel Survey. The mobile act lowered the predicted probability of switching handsets by 0.4% points. Moreover, the mobile act increased the predicted probability of any expense on handset installment by 7.5% points and had a significant impact on the amount of expenses on handset installment, with an increase of 7.8%. The mobile act lowered users’ willingness to switch handsets and increased spending on handset installment. This increased burden in handset installment might shrink the online content market, which has a large need for government support, as well as decrease consumers’ welfare. We assert that the policy intervention on handset subsidies is questionable with regard to both consumer welfare and the healthiness of the ICT ecosystem.     

How does Facebook news use lead to actions in South Korea? The role of Facebook discussion network heterogeneity,political interest,and conflict avoidance in predicting political participation

Employing survey data collected in South Korea (N?=?470), this study investigated whether and how Facebook users’ news use promotes their offline political participation. Results showed that Facebook news use indirectly influenced political participation through discussion network heterogeneity. This indirect relationship was conditional on Facebook users’ political interest and conflict avoidance. For people who are highly interested in politics but less conflict avoidant, the frequency of Facebook news use is more likely to boost political discussions with heterogeneous others, which contributes to facilitating their participation in offline political activities. The implications of these results were discussed.