Jianzhong Li, Alhanouf Alburaikan and Rita de Fátima Muniz
The main purpose of this paper is to create a suitable structure based on neutrosophic numbers to evaluate the safety performance in construction projects in such a way that the…
Abstract
Purpose
The main purpose of this paper is to create a suitable structure based on neutrosophic numbers to evaluate the safety performance in construction projects in such a way that the shortcomings can be highlighted with the reasoned measurement and possible strategies can be recommended.
Design/methodology/approach
Data envelopment analysis (DEA), which is a useful tool for performance appraisal, along with neutrosophic logic, which is one of the most complete tools for handling uncertainty phenomenon, has been used to evaluate the safety performance of construction projects. With this hybrid model, a new strategy is considered as an indicator for safety performance and comparisons are made between different units.
Findings
A total of 35 Chinese organizations with construction projects lasting between 1.5 and 2 years were selected for comparison. After processing the data into neutrosophic numbers and using the NN-DEA model, it can be found that projects that pay more attention to safety issues such as training and equipment are more efficient.
Originality/value
Since in the real world, there are uncertainties with different contradictions, and neutrosophical data can handle many of these challenges, using DEA model with neutrosophic numbers to evaluate the performance of construction projects from a safety perspective, can provide significantly better results. Therefore, considering that no study has been presented in this field so far, the authors will deal with this topic.
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Silvia Sanz-Blas, Enrique Bigné and Daniela Buzova
The purpose of this paper is to analyse the impact of the following variables: brand fan page dependency; parasocial interaction; attitude towards brand fan pages in enhancing…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to analyse the impact of the following variables: brand fan page dependency; parasocial interaction; attitude towards brand fan pages in enhancing users’ participation in Facebook as a mobile social network (m-WOM).
Design/methodology/approach
An empirical study was carried out by means of online interviews with structured questionnaires. To analyse the data, and estimate the hypothesised relationships in the theoretical model, the partial least squares equation modelling was used.
Findings
The results of the study indicate that accessing brands’ mobile Facebook fan pages can satisfy the needs of understanding, orientation and play. These needs, in turn, influence users’ attitude, as well as their active and passive participation. Besides, users’ active participation in brands’ fan pages is enhanced by the direct and positive influence of attitude and passive participation.
Practical implications
This research enables brands to know which aspects to highlight in their communication strategies in order to increase the user’s active participation and generate m-WOM. Brands need to post information which is not only relevant, but also entertaining and visually attractive. Furthermore, they should foster the user-brand interaction to achieve users’ engagement with the brand.
Originality/value
The contribution of the present research is threefold. First, it offers a new perspective in explaining eWOM participation in mobile settings based on social networks. Second, it is argued that dependency is a key driver in explaining m-WOM. Lastly, integrating parasocial integration in the authors’ model highlights the communication nature of the word-of-mouth process.
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Jahyun Song, Hyoungeun Moon and Miyoung Kim
Drawing upon the social presence theory, this paper aims to propose three social presence variables in the brand page context (the brand page as a medium, the presence of other…
Abstract
Purpose
Drawing upon the social presence theory, this paper aims to propose three social presence variables in the brand page context (the brand page as a medium, the presence of other customers and interaction with the brand page manager) and to test their effects on customer engagement behavior (CEB) and customer-brand identification (CBI).
Design/methodology/approach
A total of 340 responses were collected via an online research platform and analyzed using structural equation modeling analysis.
Findings
The results revealed that both the social presence of the brand page and the interaction with the brand page manager are positively associated with CEB, whereas that of other customers negatively influences CEB, which in turn, positively affects CBI.
Research limitations/implications
This paper presents the underlying process of driving customers’ engagement activities and building psychological closeness between customers and brands by applying social presence theory and social identity theory to Facebook brand pages.
Practical implications
To enhance customers’ experiences on Facebook brand pages, practitioners should visualize brand page managers through diverse types of postings. Brand page managers need to balance the presence of others, as well as bring a sense of human-likeness on the pages using storytelling strategies.
Originality/value
This research sheds light on the human side of a non-human world. The results suggest that the sense of a human presence in virtual brand communities is essential to engage customers with online activities toward brands while also building a closer customer–brand relationship.
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Ridwan Adetunji Raji, Sabrina Rashid and Sobhi Ishak
This study aims to answer an important question of how brand-related communications, including advertising and sales promotion contents, which are disseminated on social media…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to answer an important question of how brand-related communications, including advertising and sales promotion contents, which are disseminated on social media platforms, can enhance positive brand image and evoke favourable behavioural intention from consumers.
Design/methodology/approach
This study surveys 615 consumers of automotive brands across Malaysia. The data were analysed with AMOS, which was used to specify both the measurement and structural models. The mediating effect of both hedonic and functional brand images was tested using the bootstrapping approach in AMOS and Sobel test.
Findings
The findings reported in this research demonstrate that there are positive and significant relationships between social media advertising content, social media sales promotion content, hedonic brand image, functional brand image and behavioural intention. Both hedonic and functional brand images have significant mediating effects on social media advertising content, social media sales promotion content and behavioural intention. However, the relationship between social media advertising content and behavioural intention is insignificant.
Practical implications
This paper proffers insights to brand managers and marketers on how to leverage on social media contents by unearthing the roles of traditional marketing communications such as social media advertising and promotional information in enhancing brand preference and improving consumers’ purchase intention.
Originality/value
This research advances the discussions in the realm of social media communications and branding by examining the mediating effects of both hedonic and functional brand images of automotive brands. In addition, this study focuses on two essential marketing communications, advertising and sales promotions, which are commonly disseminated by brand managers on social media platforms.
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Michelle Renton and Hamish Simmonds
This paper aims to offer fresh insight into attitudes towards casually used brands and the role of tie strength in the building of online non-brand-related network relationships…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to offer fresh insight into attitudes towards casually used brands and the role of tie strength in the building of online non-brand-related network relationships amongst young consumers.
Design/methodology/approach
Thirteen consumers aged between 18 and 24 years took part in in-depth interviews. The interviewees were matched on gender, age, occupation, residency and social media usage.
Findings
Tie strength effects are evident in changes to brand attitudes, choice of social media platforms and in the casual use of brands to further consumer relationship building and identity creation goals.
Research limitations/implications
This paper answers calls for greater understanding of the way in which network structure influences consumers’ online motivations and attitudes towards the brand.
Practical implications
This paper explores the importance of managers viewing brands as embedded in broader social contexts and tailoring social media communications to those broader contexts.
Originality/value
This paper is the first to combine tie strength with casual brand use to examine non-brand-related network effects on brand attitudes, growing and maintaining consumer relationships and building online identity.