Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2006. / Title from first page of PDF file. Includes bibliographical references (p. 203-231).

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Akron, Dept. of Sociology, 2009. / "May, 2009." Title from electronic thesis title page (viewed 11/18/2009) Advisor, Rebecca J. Erickson; Faculty Reader, Clare L. Stacey; Department Chair, John F. Zipp; Dean of the College, Chand Midha; Dean of the Graduate School, George R. Newkome. Includes bibliographical references.

Master of Public Health / Department of Kinesiology / Brandon Irwin / BACKGROUND: Resource-deficient social networks can have detrimental health effects on individuals. In part, this may result from limited engagement in health-related behaviors such as physical activity (PA). PA can lower one’s risk for a variety of chronic diseases and promoting this behavior is a public health priority. Understanding the relationship between network-owned resources and PA behavior can help policymakers and health advocates develop comprehensive programs to promote health among those who are disadvantaged. Measurements of resources available through an individual's social network have previously been referred to as social capital (SC). This study set out to explore the relationship between SC and PA by testing the following hypotheses: (1) Individuals with low household income will report low levels of both SC and PA participation, (2) SC has a positive relationship with PA participation, (3) Individuals who engage in leisure-time PA with others will report higher levels of SC than those who do it alone, (4) Social support for PA mediates the relationship between SC and PA. METHODS: Data were obtained from residents of Riley County, KS (n=828) who completed a survey. One-way analyses of variance (ANOVA) were used to examine differences in SC (bonding, bridging, total) and PA (moderate, vigorous, total, leisure-time) between different income groups. Relationships between SC and PA variables were examined using Pearson product-moment correlations, while independent sample t-tests were used to identify differences in SC between those who did or did not meet recommended PA guidelines. ANOVAs were also used to identify differences in SC among those who primarily engage in leisure-time PA by themselves, with a partner, or with a group. Finally, the Sobel test was used to examine the mediating effect of social support for PA in all significant linear relationships between SC and PA variables. RESULTS: Social capital was highest among high-income groups (p <.05). Leisure-time PA was lowest in the poorest income group (p <.05). Weak linear relationships were identified between bonding SC and leisure-time PA [r(786) = 0.09, p = 0.01], as well as between total SC and leisure time PA [r(775) = 0.08, p = 0.02]. Individuals who met PA guidelines reported higher levels of SC than those who did not (bridging and total: p <.001; bonding: p = <.01). No differences in SC were found between individuals who primarily engaged in leisure-time PA by themselves, with a partner, or with a group. The Sobel test found that social support for PA fully mediated the relationships between leisure-time PA and both bonding SC (z = 5.61, p <.001) and total SC (z = 6.01, p = <.001). CONCLUSIONS: Social capital has a positive relationship with leisure-time physical activity and influences this behavior through provisions of behavior-targeted social support. Further examination should be afforded to the relationship between social capital, income, and leisure-time physical activity. While physical activity promotion efforts that target social capital may achieve marginal improvements in physical activity levels at the population level, they are unlikely to result in significant improvements at the individual level.

A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of MA (cum laude) in Communication Science University of Zululand, 2002. / In this thesis I characterise South African Infomercials as forms of persuasive mass media messages. After outlining the general nature of persuasive communication, and the rela¬tionship between persuasion and propaganda, I explain which communication codes adver¬tisers use to promote their products, particularly which codes Infomercial advertisers use. After characterising a range of South African TV Infomercials I give a detailed analysis of the pioneering serial radio and TV Infomercials used by the company SA Natural Products (SANP) in their extremely successful campaign over the past two years to make the natural health food supplement Spirulina by Marcus Rohrer® the best known and most used nutri¬tional supplement in South Africa today. 1 in particular look at the forms of communica¬tion used by managers at SANP to create information networks within their organisational network to sustain the popularity of the product in the public mind, and to keep it supplied to pharmacies, health food shops and chain stores that sell it.

No description available.

published_or_final_version / abstract / Business / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

Social connections represent an important determinant of economic agents’ behaviour. The three chapters of this thesis empirically analyse the effect of different types of networks on several economic outcomes. The first chapter analyses the role played by co-worker networks on immigrants’ employment outcomes. It investigates how immigrants’ job search outcomes are affected by the labour market outcomes of co-workers from the same country of origin. Using matched employer-employee micro data from Italy and an instrumental variables approach, I show that an increase in the employment prospects of socially connected workers improves immigrants’ job search outcomes. The paper also sheds light on the different mechanisms generating the social effect and it highlights the role of migrant networks in explaining immigrant segregation. Chapter 2 employs a unique dataset on articles, authors and editors of the top four economics journals over the period 2000-2006 to investigate the role of social ties in the publication process. Connections between editors and authors are identified based on their academic histories. Regression results show that the existence of a social tie with an editor positively affects publication outcomes of connected scholars. The analysis of citations shows that connected articles receive on average a higher number of citations than non-connected ones. The final chapter focuses on the impact of female managers on female workers’ employment outcomes. Exploiting changes in the share of female managers induced by firms’ takeovers, I find no statistically significant effect of an increase in the presence of female managers on employment outcomes of female workers. However there is an interesting negative effect on wage inequality within the acquiring firm, which may matter for both equity and efficiency reasons.

Diante da crescente competição no mercado e as mudanças constantes que vêm ocorrendo, as empresas tiveram que elaborar novas estratégias e pensar a partir de novas lentes. A nova estruturação das organizações como a formação de redes e arranjos produtivos, é consequência dessas mudanças que as organizações vêm enfrentando devido ao mundo globalizado e a concorrência que aumenta a cada dia. Nesse contexto, o presente trabalho tem como objetivo investigar como os atratores sociais moldam as dinâmicas organizacionais em Arranjos Produtivos Locais. A pesquisa teve como objeto de estudo os APL\'s de Ibitinga, Juruaia e Grande ABC. A metodologia teve abordagem qualitativa com caráter exploratório, e quanto aos meios é classificada como pesquisa documental, pesquisa de campo e estudo de múltiplos casos. Os dados foram coletados por meio de entrevistas baseada na ténica de incidente crítico e coleta documental. Para a análise de dados foi utilizada a técnica de análise de conteúdo e análise documental. Foi identificado o sistema técnico como o principal atrator social, com particular destaque à importância das lideranças e dos sistemas sociais no desenvolvimento e aperfeiçoamento dos arranjos produtivos em tela. / In front of the market competition\'s increases and its constant changes that have been occurring, companies had to develop new strategies and think from new point of view. The new organization structuring like build networking and productive arrangements, is consequence of changes that those organizations are facing due the globalization and the competition that increases day by day. In this context, this paper has an objective investigate how the social attractors fits the organizational dynamics on Local Productive Arrangements. The research has Ibitinga, Juruaia and Grande ABC\'s LPAs as study object. The methodology has qualitative approach with an exploratory character, and as to means classified as documental research, field research and multiple cases. The data was collected through interview based on the critical incident technique and documentary collection technique. To the data analysis was used the technique of content analysis and documental analysis. Was identified the technical system as the main social attractor, with particular emphasis to the importance of the leadership and the social systems on development and improvement of the productive arrangements in the screen.

These results have implications for VC organizers as well as VC researchers. For researchers, the interpersonal relationship perspective of VC participation not only offers a comprehensive theoretical framework but also opens a new perspective for future research. / This dissertation contributes to virtual community research by proposing and empirically validating an exploratory theoretical framework from the interpersonal relationship perspective using two interpersonal behavior theories---the Triandis interpersonal behavior model and FIRO (Fundamental Interpersonal Relationship Orientation) to explain two types of VC participation---BOI (Behavior to Obtain Information) and BGI (Behavior to Give Information). Data was collected in three representative Chinese VCs. Data analysis results showed that the two interpersonal relationship theories are effective in explaining VC participation. Specifically, 53% of the variance of BOI and 41% of the variance of BGI are explained by the Triandis model. VC participation habit is found to have the largest positive effect on BOI and BGI. BOI also has a positive effect on BGI. The conclusion from the FIRO theory is that the three dimensions of FIRO---inclusion, control, and affection---constructed in two directions, wanted and expressed, significantly influence VC participation. Wanted and expressed inclusion have positive effects on both BOI and BGI; expressed control has a positive effect on BGI, and wanted control has a positive effect on both BOI and BGI; and expressed affection has a positive effect on BGI, and wanted affection has a positive effect on both BOI and BGI. / Virtual communities (VCs) have emerged as one of the most popular Internet services during the last decade and have been effective tools in knowledge management, customer relationship management, and other business related functions. The growth of VCs is crucial to VC operation, which mainly depends on the members and their participation. Only after the aggregation of a critical mass of members can VCs accumulate invaluable information and diversity to generate revenue for the VC organizers. Thus, understanding of VC participation is of importance to VC organizers. Although VC participation has been explored from diverse perspectives, few studies can offer a comprehensive theoretical framework to explain why people participate in VCs. / Li Honglei. / "September 2006." / Adviser: Siu King Vincent Lai. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 68-08, Section: A, page: 3482. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 155-169). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. [Ann Arbor, MI] : ProQuest Information and Learning, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. Ann Arbor, MI : ProQuest dissertations and theses, [201-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / School code: 1307.

Thesis (doctoral)--Universität, Eichstätt. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 219-233).