Social media influencers are online content creators who seek audience support, form relationships with their audiences, and shape audience interests, opinions, and behavior. Not only is the influencer economy a cultural market in its own right, but it is also increasingly shaping other cultural industries as influencers serve as cultural gatekeepers who filter cultural products for their audiences (Hirsch, 1972). As social media influencers become powerful gatekeepers and producers, the relational nature of their activities and performance is reshaping norms in cultural industries overall. Lay audiences gain more influence and agency as their evaluations and support are critical for influencer survival and success. Then how has the evaluative landscape in cultural industries changed, and what are the broader social implications of these changes? In this dissertation, I outline the rise of social media influencers both as gatekeepers and producers in cultural markets and argue that scholarship in management and sociology must examine the unique ways in which these influencers’ activities differ from their predecessors’. Chapter 1 defines social media influencers and describes their activities and market dynamics by comparing and contrasting them to their traditional counterparts. Chapter 2 examines the relationship between influencer-audience relational interactions and performance outcomes, focusing on influencers’ role as cultural gatekeepers. Chapter 3 looks at the effects of race and race-based social movements on influencer-audience interactions, highlighting influencers’ role as cultural producers. In all three chapters, the focus is on the sociological theory of relational work, which is the process through which economic actors balance the transactional and social components of their relationships (Zelizer, 2012; Bandelj, 2020). Social media influencers serve as an ideal type to demonstrate how relational work contributes to market value and performance, given the tight balance between their relational and transactional activities. I use mixed quantitative and qualitative methods to analyze channel-, video-, and comment-level data on 1,167 BookTubers (YouTube influencers who evaluate books). I find that social media influencers indeed serve as trusted gatekeepers for their audiences, and that audiences demand not only evaluative content, but also intimate relationships with influencers. Influencers use audience interactions as relational work efforts to build trusting relationships with audiences and gain their support, but this effect is moderated by the perceived trustworthiness of the influencer. The effectiveness of influencer relational work also varies by race, and relational work thus reproduces racialized logics that underlie cultural markets. In sum, this dissertation not only highlights the rise of an important new market actor, but also contributes to theories on how relational work shapes and is shaped by inequality.

The media can arguably be seen to have an important part in how the public view the police. A negative presentation is seen to have several grave consequences and is argued to influence the public’s confidence in the police's legitimacy. The police in Malmö have during the last decade received much attention and media coverage because of their severe issues with criminality and violence. The aim of this thesis was partly to examine how the police in Malmö is presented in printed news and what the consequences of this might be, but also to examine if the presentation of the police changed since the reorganisation of the police force in Sweden. The method used to achieve this was a thematic analysis which was used on 193 articles from three newspapers. This included a search for themes which were later compiled into measurable figures so an examination of potential trends over the covered period, the 1st of January in 2013 to the 31st December in 2016, was possible. The results showed that 71 articles were positive, 112 articles were negative and 10 articles were neutral or ambiguous. Thus, there were 41 more negative articles than positive which shows that there is a more negative presentation of the police. When examining the trends over time it showed that a change in the presentation occurs the year that the reorganisation of the police force takes effect, however, the change differs between the newspapers.

Yes / This research provides a comprehensive delineation of the process that leads to the formation of green behavior by including the role played by media and attitude towards environment-friendly packaging, along with ecological concern and perceived consumer effectiveness. The study offers a parsimonious framework that measures the major antecedents of environmental attitude divided into inward and outward orientation. Moreover, it also measures the effects of these environmental attitudes and attitude towards green packaging on green purchase intention. A total of 308 usable questionnaires were obtained from Indian consumers and data analysis was conducted using confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling. The results show that inward environmental attitude and attitude towards green packaging play a pivotal role in shaping green purchase intention. Surprisingly, outward environmental attitude was found to be non-significant. Findings offer implications for marketing managers and public policy makers, as well as reveal fruitful avenues for further research.

The goal of this research was to examine how the One organization's web site either supports or rejects established literature that concludes that U.S. media contains negative representations of the developing world.

The diploma thesis Comparative study of a presentation of women's beauty in lifestyle magazines for men and women suggests the hypothesis that the image of women's beauty is modified according to the target group of the media. As to support or falsify the thought, there are analysed chosen photographs of women in four Czech lifestyle magazines, specifically in ELLE, ForMen, Cosmopolitan and Esquire. Chosen method of semiotic analysis and description helps define the differences between image of women's beauty in the pictures. In order to interpret the pictures in broader context, the first half of work deals with the development of aesthetic theories and various scientific views of beauty as well as theories about presumed media influence. The results of the analysis are interpreted and explained on the grounds the theoretical base. Besides the evaluation of the primary hypotheses there are also noted other theoretical findings. The document is closed by comments of authoress on the issue based on already written theories.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:30:32Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2006-03-23Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:40:33Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 silveira_io_me_ia.pdf: 2357228 bytes, checksum: e46a18828a4e56c7812c6a184341da9d (MD5) / Este trabalho de pesquisa propõe uma reflexão sobre o desenvolvimento gráfico da criança numa faixa etária específica que compreende a idade de 9 a 10 anos, tendo como alvo de investigação duas escolas públicas e duas escolas particulares da região central de São Paulo. A investigação da representação pictórica nessa faixa etária, derivou da constatação de que a criança nessa idade modifica seu comportamento no uso da linguagem gráfica, especialmente quando utiliza o desenho como meio de expressão. Tal observação foi decorrente do longo período de tempo de exercício do magistério como arte-educadora. Do processo do espontaneísmo observado nos primeiros anos de escolaridade, a criança vai adquirindo consciência crítica do seu fazer artístico e de suas limitações na medida em que cresce rumo a um realismo visual. Muitas vezes, utilizando a mídia para copiar modelos, a criança deseja que seu desenho se pareça com a realidade que ela percebe e interpreta e que atribui significado. Este trabalho se apresenta com a intenção de lançar bases para uma reflexão sobre a importância de um ensino formal do desenho e das demais disciplinas artísticas a fim de que a criança de 9 e de 10 anos não abandone a prática do desenho e da Arte, pela crença no mito de que apenas alguns poucos são capacitados ou privilegiadamente dotados. / This research proposes a reflection about the children's graphic development in a specific age - from 9 to 10 years old - having as investigation targets two public and two private schools in the central area of São Paulo city. The investigation of the pictorial representation in this age came from the fact that the child in this age changes his/her behavior with the use of graphic language especially when using the drawing as a mean of expression. That observation came from the long period of teaching experience as an Art educator. From the spontaneous process observed in the first years of schooling the child acquires a critical conscientiousness of his/her artistic making and of its limitations as the visual realism grows. Many times, using the media to copy models, the child wishes that the drawing looks alike the reality that is perceived, interpreted and given a meaning. This work has the intention to launch basis to a reflection about the importance of a formal teaching of the drawing and of the others artistic subjects in order that children from 9 to 10 years old do not abandon the practice of Arts and drawing, due to the belief that only a few are gifted or able to do it.

Orientador: João Cardoso Palma Filho / Banca: Cleusa Kazue Sakamoto / Banca: Norberto Stori / Resumo: Este trabalho de pesquisa propõe uma reflexão sobre o desenvolvimento gráfico da criança numa faixa etária específica que compreende a idade de 9 a 10 anos, tendo como alvo de investigação duas escolas públicas e duas escolas particulares da região central de São Paulo. A investigação da representação pictórica nessa faixa etária, derivou da constatação de que a criança nessa idade modifica seu comportamento no uso da linguagem gráfica, especialmente quando utiliza o desenho como meio de expressão. Tal observação foi decorrente do longo período de tempo de exercício do magistério como arte-educadora. Do processo do espontaneísmo observado nos primeiros anos de escolaridade, a criança vai adquirindo consciência crítica do seu fazer artístico e de suas limitações na medida em que cresce rumo a um realismo visual. Muitas vezes, utilizando a mídia para copiar modelos, a criança deseja que seu desenho se pareça com a realidade que ela percebe e interpreta e que atribui significado. Este trabalho se apresenta com a intenção de lançar bases para uma reflexão sobre a importância de um ensino formal do desenho e das demais disciplinas artísticas a fim de que a criança de 9 e de 10 anos não abandone a prática do desenho e da Arte, pela crença no mito de que apenas alguns poucos são capacitados ou privilegiadamente dotados. / Abstract: This research proposes a reflection about the children's graphic development in a specific age - from 9 to 10 years old - having as investigation targets two public and two private schools in the central area of São Paulo city. The investigation of the pictorial representation in this age came from the fact that the child in this age changes his/her behavior with the use of graphic language especially when using the drawing as a mean of expression. That observation came from the long period of teaching experience as an Art educator. From the spontaneous process observed in the first years of schooling the child acquires a critical conscientiousness of his/her artistic making and of its limitations as the visual realism grows. Many times, using the media to copy models, the child wishes that the drawing looks alike the reality that is perceived, interpreted and given a meaning. This work has the intention to launch basis to a reflection about the importance of a formal teaching of the drawing and of the others artistic subjects in order that children from 9 to 10 years old do not abandon the practice of Arts and drawing, due to the belief that only a few are gifted or able to do it. / Mestre

This research analyzes the zero waste movement in Cologne, Germany, aiming to findout how media and communication influence pro-environmental (consumer) behavior ofan already environmentally aware target audience. A special focus lies on what dominantchannels and mediums are used as well as what role social media influencers play.Therefore, 15 interviews were conducted in two of the three existing zero waste stores inCologne. The material was subsequently analyzed with a qualitative text analysisaccording to Mayring (2014). The findings revealed that pro-environmental contentresearch online and offline through media and communication can indirectly influencepro-environmental (consumer) behavior of the zero waste movement in Cologne in termsof motivation, inspiration, for information research, or a lively exchange. This dominantlyhappened through the offline community and through face-to-face conversations, but alsowith the use of new and social media. To some extent, social media influencers affecteda younger audience, possibly leading to a consolidation of the individuals’ awareness andattitude as well as an encouragement to take action. However, media and communicationare not the only factors influencing the zero waste consumption behavior. Furtherinfluencers are environmental awareness and consciousness, education, and personalityfactors. Latter can also be an interior barrier, along with family, lack of knowledge, time,and experience. Meanwhile, exterior factors are the economic and organizationalinfrastructure, contradicting lifestyles of the community, and economic constraints thatcould possibly hinder the process towards pro-environmental consumption and behavior.Overall, this research aims to contribute to a deeper understanding of the zero waste lifestyleand its drivers as an ideal for pro-environmental behavior, enabling the fight againstclimate change on a local and communal level in Cologne, Germany.

For the Himba, deeply embedded cultural symbols—traditional daily way of life, traditional beliefs about the sacredness of cattle, and religious beliefs of ancestral worship—are of ancient origin and have been retained in their culture throughout all of recorded history. While they still exist in Himba society today, some scholars have observed a potential widespread generational shift in adherence to these core cultural values and beliefs. This study presents the findings of 41 in-depth interviews with members of the Himba tribe in northern Namibia—specifically Opuwo and Otutati—ages 18 to 65. It examines the degree to which cultural differences are emerging as a result of exposure to various influences including modern media. Special attention is given to differences among generational groups—young, middle-aged, and older Himba—that have occurred in the Himba daily way of life. Cultural differences are indicated by beliefs regarding dress and living style, cattle, and ancestral worship—the three major, deep-rooted Himba cultural symbols. Three theoretical explanations for culture change are discussed in order to explain observed differences among generational groups. Implications for culture change are provided as well as areas requiring future study. This study is unlike any other conducted among the Himba in that it formally addresses the degree to which cultural change of core cultural values exists. Himba culture has proven to be resilient to foreign influences, but some observers suggest that this is changing. Given the resources, times, and methodological restraints involved in this study, it was necessary to limit its scope to just an exploration of the existence of a potential widespread generational difference in Himba cultural values, and not an in-depth exploration of the reasons behind it. This research hopes to provide a foundation of research from which subsequent researchers can progress in our collective understanding of what Himba generational changes are occurring and how these potentially unprecedented changes have occurred.

In the age of computing, we rely on software to manage our days, from the moment we wake up until we go to sleep. Software predicts the future based on actualized data from the past. It produces procedures instead of experiences and solutions instead of care. Software systems tend to perpetuate a normalized state of equilibrium. Their application in social media, predictive policing, and social profiling is increasingly erasing diversity in culture and identity. Our immediate reality is narrowing towards cultural conventions shared among the powerful few, whose voices directly influence contemporary digital culture. On the other hand, computational collective intelligence can sometimes generate emergent forces to counter this tendency and force software systems to open up. Historically, artists from different artistic moments have adopted collaborative making to redefine the boundary of creative expression. Video Gaming, especially open-world simulation games, is rapidly being adopted as an emerging form of communication, expression, and self-organization. How can gaming conventions such as Narrative Emergence, Hacking, and Modding help us understand collective play as countering forces against the systematic tendency of normalization? How can people from diverse backgrounds come together to contemplate, make, and simulate rules and conditions for an alternative virtual world? What does it mean to design and virtually inhabit a world where rules are rewritten continuously by everyone, and no one is in control?