Erik Hermann, Martin Eisend and Tomás Bayón
The purpose of this paper is to apply cultivation theory to social network sites by investigating how Facebook uses cultivates users' ethnic diversity perceptions and attitudes.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to apply cultivation theory to social network sites by investigating how Facebook uses cultivates users' ethnic diversity perceptions and attitudes.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors’ investigations include an online and offline survey study with 476 Facebook users and a follow-up experiment with 75 individuals.
Findings
The authors provide empirical support that Facebook use cultivates ethnic diversity perceptions and ethnic diversity-related attitudes. They show that Facebook use relates to perceptions of ethnic minorities that resemble the world on Facebook that is characterized by high ethnic diversity. The authors further demonstrate that the cultivation of ethnic diversity-related attitudes is mediated by diversity perceptions related to users' close social environment.
Research limitations/implications
Future research should consider culturally and educationally diverse samples as well as longitudinal research designs to address external validity and causality issues.
Practical implications
Algorithms determining the content users are exposed should be thoughtfully curated to avoid attitudinal and ideological polarization.
Social implications
Facebook can play an important role in positively shaping intergroup relations, thereby countering negative outgroup attitudes, social anxieties and radical right-wing parties.
Originality/value
The authors’ studies extend the scope of cultivation research by identifying a new media vehicle as a source of cultivation influences and shed light on the cultivation-based process of attitude change on social network sites.
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Ali Fatemi and Jan Pieter Krahnen
Outlines the special characteristics of preferred shares in Germany, notes that ordinary shares are valued at substantially higher figures and presents a study of the pricing of…
Abstract
Outlines the special characteristics of preferred shares in Germany, notes that ordinary shares are valued at substantially higher figures and presents a study of the pricing of both types for 58 German companies 1990‐1993. Refers to previous research to develop hypotheses on reasons for the common share premium and an explanatory model which is then applied to the data. Finds that larger premiums are associated with higher ownership concentration and lower trading but not to the proportion carrying voting rights or the cumulative preferred dividends in arrears; and that they are significantly reduced if a family or financial institution is a major shareholder. Goes on to show that where a family is the largest blockholder the premium increases with liquidity but for a financial institution, liquidity reduces the premium. Considers the underlying reasons for this and consistency with other research.
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The idea to use computers for teaching and learning is over 50 years old. Numerous attempts to use computers for knowledge dissemination under a variety of names have failed in…
Abstract
Purpose
The idea to use computers for teaching and learning is over 50 years old. Numerous attempts to use computers for knowledge dissemination under a variety of names have failed in many cases, and have become successful in others. The essence of this paper can be summarized in two sentences. One, in some niches, applications tend to be successful. Second, attempts to fully eliminate humans from the educational process are bound to fail, yet if a large number of aspects is handled well, the role of teachers can indeed be much reduced. The paper aims to discuss these issues.
Design/methodology/approach
Report on experimental results.
Findings
In some niches, applications of e-Learning technology tend to be successful. However, attempts to fully eliminate humans from the educational process are bound to fail, yet if a large number of aspects is handled well, the role of teachers can indeed be much reduced.
Research limitations/implications
A number of features that seemed essential in earlier e-Learning systems turn out to be superfluous.
Practical implications
New e-Learning systems have to concentrate on quality of content, not complex technology.
Social implications
E-Learning the right way helps learners, teachers and institutions.
Originality/value
Experiments reported verify or do the opposite of often loosely stated opinions.
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FOR public libraries the Ministerial statement that proposals for the future of local government will be laid before Parliament before October may prove to be most significant. We…
Abstract
FOR public libraries the Ministerial statement that proposals for the future of local government will be laid before Parliament before October may prove to be most significant. We say may, because such preliminaries usually raise undue expectations. Meanwhile during the summer speculation may range over the public library possibilities of the situation. Will the known blue‐prints made for us come into the picture: the masterly, and at that time far too advanced, pattern in the McColvin Report, already fourteen years old, and the older Ministry of Reconstruction Report, made as the First World War was closing, which would have given libraries, willy‐nilly, to the Education Committee? Will the present L.A. plan, which everyone knows, affect matters? Will public libraries come in at all? Local Government, as at present organized, does work, even if the machinery creaks with too many uncontrolled bodies intervening in every part, too much remote control, and, conversely, too little co‐operative organization, too many jealousies, boundary graspings, disputes and much expensive, unnecessary litigation. That public librarians can provide an acceptable solution for their own admittedly limited field will, alas, not occur to many authority minds. In the reconstruction of the patchwork now existing our library leaders must be alert to prevent complete indifference to library needs and possibilities. We feel sure they will be. That vigilance will be necessary even if, as we suspect from the tendency of the times, what will be proposed is not likely to produce radical redistributions and changes. The counties, municipal corporations, and the urban districts together form a formidable combination and, we think, can prevent further encroachments on their areas and increased restrictions of their powers. The way may be somewhat plainer before the L.A. Annual General Meeting is held in September, but the announcement we are discussing came later than the printing of the outline programme of the Conference which is inserted in the May L.A. Record.
This article compares the mobility experience of Austria, Germany, Ireland and the United Kingdom post-enlargement. In all four countries, migrant inflows from the new EU member…
Abstract
This article compares the mobility experience of Austria, Germany, Ireland and the United Kingdom post-enlargement. In all four countries, migrant inflows from the new EU member states account for the bulk of contemporary labour mobility. At the same time, issues of wage dumping have arisen everywhere, raising questions about compliance and the ‘re-embedding’ of mobility flows. Hence the article examines the labour market impact of recent East-West migration as well as policy responses by the social partners and public authorities that are geared towards the re-regulation of employment standards. Some commonalities are identified, especially in relation to the broadening of national wage floors and the growing role of the state in enforcing labour standards. However, some differences remain, especially whether re-regulation happens on the basis of collective agreements or statutory minimum rights. In this regard, different bargaining traditions, the power resources of labour market actors and the capacity of unions to build political coalitions with the state and employers are identified as crucial factors in shaping national and sectoral response strategies.
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This chapter falls into line with the study about the possible incentives of interventions and their impact on democratic institutions to emphasize the need to differentiate…
Abstract
This chapter falls into line with the study about the possible incentives of interventions and their impact on democratic institutions to emphasize the need to differentiate between different military interventions and their effects on democratic institutions in the target states. The chapter theoretically builds on the Selectorate Theory (Mesquita et al. 2003) and also dialogues with liberal (Hoffmann 1997) and realist perspectives (Choi 2016) on foreign policy related to the liberal world order, human rights, economic and security interests.
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Kristjan Laane, Balazs Aczel, Anthony Dickinson and Mare Teichmann
While researchers have assumed that it is not possible to determine the key reactants that cause positive emotional reactions, we argue that experiences, such as watching an…
Abstract
While researchers have assumed that it is not possible to determine the key reactants that cause positive emotional reactions, we argue that experiences, such as watching an entertaining television show or working in a pleasant climate, produce their positive effects through one or more “root causes” of positive emotion. This study identified a classification of root causes derived from reports of individual positive moments submitted by office workers throughout their workday. Through identifying root causes, such as Fulfilled Expectations, Positive Self-Image, Humor, and Relief, we provide the first data-driven attempt to develop a taxonomy of root causes of positive affect at work.