Retailers increasingly are connecting with consumers using social media. This two-way, networked communication method facilitates word-of-mouth that may ultimately impact retailer loyalty. The purpose of this study was to examine motivations of consumers’ purchase intention from apparel Facebook retailers, and the relationship between purchase intention and loyalty. Consumer motivations were examined in terms of the utilitarian values of cost, convenience, and information and the hedonic values of experiential shopping, bargain perception, sociability, and curiosity. The relationship of purchase intention and loyalty also was investigated. The instrument was developed from existing scales drawn from literature. A consumer panel (N = 250) of Facebook users that connect to apparel retailers was used to collect data through an online Qualtrics survey. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics of frequency and crosstab distributions, factor analysis, and regression analysis. Factor analysis resulted in four dimensions including convenience, information, experience, and bargains. All motivators were found to be significantly related to both purchase intention and loyalty for this consumer group. The variable with the strongest relationship to both purchase intention and loyalty was experience. Additionally, a strong relationship was found between purchase intention and loyalty. Lastly, practical business implications are reviewed, in addition to limitations of the study.

De nos jours, les réseaux sociaux numériques sont devenus des outils de communication incontournables. Chaque jour des dizaines de nouveaux réseaux se créent, des chroniques à la radio leurs sont consacrées, sans parler des livres, des émissions télévisuelles ou les articles de presse. Cette ascension rapide de cet outil communicationnel à usages multiples, suscite l‘intérêt de la part d‘acteurs provenant des différentes sphères (publique, politique,…) Dispositif sociotechnique, les RSN de par leur facilité d‘utilisation et de mise en oeuvre, se sont imposés comme un support favorisant l‘échange, le partage (de photos, de vidéos, de liens), l‘interaction et la diffusion d‘informations de tout ordre. Dans sa première, cette thèse fait l‘objet d‘une mise en perspective historique de l‘emploi de la notion du « réseau », « réseau social » et des « réseaux sociaux numériques ». Nous verrons que ces termes révèlent des détours d‘usages à travers le temps. De plus, nous décrivons les réseaux sociaux numériques par rapport à d‘autres possibilités du web 2.0. A partir d‘approches philosophiques et théoriques, la deuxième partie tente la construction d‘un modèle théorique d‘analyse qui prend comme dimension fondamentale l‘homme et la technique. Ensuite l‘analyse du matériel de recherche dans une démarche empirique/descriptive et une approche exploratoire, permet d‘une part, d‘élaborer de nouvelles typologies et catégories de réseaux sociaux numériques, et d‘autre part, de construire des cartographies des différentes controverses qui entourent cet objet communicationnel complexe / Social Networks are in today‘s world an essential tool of communication. Everyday witnesses the birth of tens of new networks, occupying the airwaves with their chronicles, and becoming the subject of books, television programs and press articles. The impulsive rise of this multi-purpose communication tool is winning the attention of actors of different areas of interest (public, political…). As a socio-technical device, the social networks, being user-friendly and easy to implement, established themselves as a means of support, promoting exchange; sharing (of photos, videos, links); interaction and distribution of information of any kind. The first part of this thesis deals, from a historic perspective, with the usage of the notion ―network‖; ―social network‖ and ―social network sites‖. We will accompany the alteration in the usage of these terms, which occurred with time. Also, we will describe the social networks and compare them to other possibilities of web 2.0. Based on philosophical and theoretical approaches, the second part attempts to build a theoretical pattern of analysis, with man and technology being its fundamental dimension. Next to that is the analysis of the research material from an empirical/descriptive and exploratory approach. This allows us, on one hand, to elaborate on new typologies and categories of networks; and on the other, to sketch the cartography of the different controversies surrounding this complex communicational item

Les Programmes Cadres de Recherche et développement technologique (PCRDT) sont les principaux instruments dont dispose l’Union Européenne (UE) pour, d’une part favoriser la recherche et l’innovation sur le territoire européen et améliorer la compétitivité des firmes européennes, d’autre part faire émerger un Espace Européen de la Recherche (EER). Les collaborations formées entre les acteurs de la recherche et l’innovation, grâce aux projets financés par les PCRDT, forment des réseaux complexes. L’objectif de la thèse est de montrer de quelle manière l’analyse réseau constitue une perspective intéressante pour mieux appréhender les PCRDT et évaluer l’impact des politiques d’innovations de l’UE. Cette analyse permet à la fois d’examiner les propriétés de la structure des collaborations formées dans le cadre des PCRDT et de rendre comptedes déterminants des collaborations au sein de ces programmes. Les travaux menés dans la thèse portent sur deux domaines technologiques, issus de la thématique Information Society Technology (IST) du 6ème PCRDT et qui sont des domaines clés de l’innovation dans l’UE : les Télécommunications et l’Electronique-Microélectronique. Dans un premier temps, nous étudions les réseaux formés par les collaborations entre agents dans les deux domaines technologiques retenus ainsi que dans le réseau agrégé de ces deux domaines. Nous nous intéressons aux propriétés générales de ces réseaux et cherchonsà vérifier s’ils possèdent les propriétés des “small-world networks” reconnus dans la littérature comme des réseaux favorisant l’innovation. De plus, nous observons si ces réseaux évoluent de manière positive dans le temps. Après avoir étudié les réseaux de manière globale, nous nous intéressons aux agents qui composent le réseau en montrant notamment l’existence de “hubs”. Dans le cadre de cette analyse, nous sélectionnons les indcateurs adéquats et si nécessaire mettons ne place de nouveaux indicateurs comme le degré renforcé. Nous menons ainsi une analyse à deux niveaux : au niveau macroéconomiqueet au niveau microéconomique. Enfin, nous construisons des réseaux agrégés au niveau des régions afin de ne pas étudier seulement les réseaux de collaborations au niveau des agents mais aussi au niveau des territoires. De cette manière, il est possible d’observer dans quelle mesure les PCRDT impulsent un développement harmonieux de l’innovation au sein de l’UE.Dans un second temps, nous nous concentrons sur les déterminants qui peuvent inciter deux agents à collaborer. Pour cela, nous nous intéressons plus particulièrement aux agents qui ont déjà une expérience dans les PCRDT. Parmi ces déterminants, on retrouve ceux de la littérature traditionnelle comme les moyens en R&D, la proximité géographique,. . . En outre, nous mettons également en exergue le rôle prépondérant joué par les réseaux de la période précédente dans les choix de collaboration et la constitution des réseaux présents. Nous étudions à la fois l’existence d’une collaboration entre deux agents mais aussi l’intensité de ces collaborations. Enfin, afin d’approfondir l’analyse menée dans le cadre de collaborations bilatérales, nous étudions la formation de triades en cherchant à montrer l’existence du phénomène de “triadic closure” tout en observant le rôle joué par les déterminants cités précédemment. / The Framework Programs (FPs) are the European Union’s (EU’s) main tools for the promotion of research and innovation within the European territory. They both improve the competitiveness of European firms and promote the emergence of a European Research Area (ERA). Complex networks arise from the collaborations formed between the actors of research and innovation, through projects funded by the FPs. The objective of this thesis is first of all to show how network analysis provides an interesting perspective for a better understanding of FPs and then to assess the impact of innovation policies within the EU. This analysis will then enable an examination of the structural properties of collaborations formed under the FPs as well as a report on the determinants of collaborations within these programs. The work in this thesis focuses upon the Information Society Technology (IST) of the 6th FP. Two technological fields are used : Telecommunication and Electronics-Microelectronics.Initially, we study the networks formed by collaborations between two agents from selected technological fields and the aggregated network formed by these two fields of research. We study the general properties of these networks. We aim to verify whether or not these networks have the properties of “small-world networks”. This type of network is known in the literature to foster innovation networks. We also observe the characteristics of their evolution over time. Then, we study the agents which compose the networks and particularly we highlight the existence of “hubs”. We select the appropriate indicatorsand, where necessary, we develop new indicators as the strengthened degree for example. We conduct the analysis at both macroeconomic and microeconomic level. Finally, we construct networks which are aggregated at the regional level in order to study regional collaborations. Thus, it is possible to observe whether the FPs permit harmonious development within the EU and involve the construction of an ERA. In a second part, we study the determinants which may induce both agents to collaborate. We are particularly interested in agents who have experience in FPs. We study the role played by the traditional determinants as the means for R&D, geographical proximity,. In addition, we emphasize the role played by previous networks in collaboration choices. We study both the existence of collaboration between two agents and the intensity of these collaborations. Finally, in order to extend the analysis of the FPs, we study the formation of triads and particularly we show the existence of the phenomenon of “triadic closure”.

Despite the efforts that have been made to develop the information skills of undergraduate students, there are still limitations that one shot sessions of face-to-face library instruction or online tutorials present when they are the only options used to develop specific information skills in students. The purpose of this study was to investigate if the design and implementation of online learning communities are effective in supporting students while they are developing specific information skills. To prove this effectiveness, the use of online learning communities was compared to two other options of delivering instruction: online tutorials and one shot sessions of face-to-face instruction. Participants in this study were undergraduate students registered in four sections of an English course. The first group was the control group; they received one session of library face-to-face instruction. The second group participated through the online learning community. The third group completed four online tutorials, and the fourth group completed four online tutorials and participated through the online learning community. Data was gathered through two sources: (1) a pre-test and a post-test administered to all four groups, and (2) focus groups performed on all groups except the control group. After running ANOVA on the pre-test scores and not finding significant differences, ANOVA was run again on the post-test scores. The results from the post-test revealed that there was significant statistical difference among the four groups. The follow-up Tukey test revealed that the scores from the online learning community group significantly differed from the other groups, proving it to be the most effective treatment. On the other hand, the online tutorial group did not perform in a better way than the other groups, but when the online tutorial was combined with the online learning community treatment, the group performed significantly better than when the online tutorial was the treatment alone. When analyzing the results from the focus groups, the results indicated that the students that participated through the online learning community were more satisfied with the experience, than the participants in the other two groups. Lastly, the researcher made recommendations to enhance the development of specific information skills.

Le marketing viral sur les réseaux sociaux en ligne représente un enjeu de taille pour les entreprises. Aussi est-il nécessaire de comprendre ce qui anime l’activité virale des utilisateurs. En s’appuyant sur des données quantitatives extraites sur Facebook grâce à une application spécifique, nous modélisons les différentes actions virales de l’utilisateur (partages sur son mur, partages sur les murs de ses amis, commentaires, J’aime sur les posts, J’aime sur les commentaires). Nos analyses mettent en lumière trois familles de variables explicatives de son activité : l’activité de ses amis envers lui (effets de réciprocité), leur position dans la structure de son réseau d’amitié (effets structuraux) et le renseignement de ses informations « profil » (motivation à se dévoiler). Une approche qualitative complémentaire nous amène à identifier quatre postures des utilisateurs sur Facebook (engagement exposé, engagement protégé, évitement exposé, évitement protégé). Celles-ci s’inscrivent au croisement de deux axes. L’un concerne la façon dont l’utilisateur règle la zone de confidentialité dans laquelle il est amené à s’exprimer (verrouillage vs ouverture). L’autre concerne la façon dont sa « face » et celles de ses amis sont engagées par son activité en ligne (engagement vs évitement). Nous croyons que les entreprises peuvent tirer profit de l’identification des postures de leurs consommateurs sur Facebook. Nous présentons nos contributions de recherche et leurs implications managériales. / On social networks, viral marketing represents a key issue for companies. By logical extent, it appears necessary to understand what drives a user's viral activity. Quantitative data crawled from Facebook with an application allowed us to define various viral actions (sharing in one's news feed, on friends' walls, commenting, liking posts or comments). Our analysis highlighted three groups of action-explaining factors: [1] friend interaction (reciprocating effect), [2] the structural position in a user's friendship network (structural effect) and [3] the level of profile information detail (indicating willingness to show one's actual identity). In a complementary qualitative study, we identified four user positions - exposed involvement, protected involvement, exposed avoidance and protected avoidance. These positions underscore two major behavioral criteria. The first criterion addresses users' onlin visibility adjusments (displaying or protective). The second criterion defines the user's friend's level of engagement as a subsequent result of his activity (involvement or avoidance). We believe companies could benefit from identifying their consumers' behavioral stances on Facebook. Here we will demonstrate our contributions to research and their managerial implications.

This thesis deals with social networks and their use in marketing. The aim of this work is the analysis of the possibility of using social networks in marketing and to define recommendations for the specific brand. The theoretical part deals with the definition of marketing, strategic marketing process and trends that currently affect them. The paper defined the concept of social media and social networks. The practical part deals with the utility of social networking and marketing benefits for their brands. They also described the practical use of the most important aspects of social networks in commercial communications. The work includes a case study, which is using social networks marketing, demonstrated in practice. Finally recommendations are defined to create a specific brand marketing strategies.

In southeast Michigan, tens of thousands of Iraqi American transmigrants have made a home for themselves in metro Detroit in recent decades and they sustain most of their religious beliefs, social norms, cultural values, and national ties. At the same time, they have had to change their social life in sometimes radical ways as they adjust to American society. These changes have led them to build their own cultural and social identity which differs from both American and Iraqi identity and consists of a transnational Iraqi American identity. This study will explore the sociocultural identities that have emerged within the Iraqi-American community in Dearborn and Detroit. The study provides an illustration of the transnational networks, activities, patterns of living, and ideologies that recent migrants have created to span their homeland and host societies. The study is based on ethnographic fieldwork in Dearborn and Warrendale in addition to social media, ethnographic discourse analysis, and study of the community social networks.

A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, University of the Witwatersrand, Wits Business School to fulfilments of the requirements of a Master of Management by Research 30 March 2015 / Our understanding of the psychological construct of sense of community has been developing steadily, particularly since the publication of the seminal work by McMillan and Chavis (1986). Pertinent to this study, the sense of community construct has been applied to the virtual world, leading to the concept of sense of virtual community (SoVC), that is, a sense of community felt by members of a virtual community. This study synthesises the findings of the extant literature to build a multi-dimensional model of sense of community. Moving to a specific context, this study examines SoVC among members of cause-related virtual communities. Examples of such communities can be found in the Facebook communities that have developed around the various branches of the Red Cross and of World Vision. Among members of such communities, some level of support for the mediating cause organisation can be presumed to exist. This is referred to in this dissertation as Passion for the Cause (PFC). Empirical and theoretical work on the interaction between SoVC and PFC is lacking. This study investigates the extent to which SoVC and PFC are associated and seeks to bring clarity to the nature of the association. The research instrument was an online self-completion survey. The Facebook pages of South African cause organisations were used to invite community members to complete the survey. Respondents were participants in the Facebook-based communities of South African cause organisations (n = 67). The research instrument included a scale for SoVC (12 items) and a scale for PFC (6 items). An exploratory factor analysis was done to identify the latent factors of SoVC in this context. Adequate support was found for the conceptualisation of three factors of SoVC, namely, General Benefit, Friendship, and Helping. This was followed by a series of multiple regression analyses aimed at testing the relationships between PFC and SoVC and its factors. SoVC and PFC were found to be highly correlated. Furthermore, PFC was found to significantly predict SoVC. It was also found to predict the SoVC factor conceptualised as General Benefit. Finally, SoVC was found to predict PFC. Notably, PFC was found to be less able to predict SoVC than was SoVC able to predict PFC. Implications for the moderators of cause-related virtual communities are discussed. / MB2016

A thesis Submitted to the Faculty of Arts University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts / The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of social support for African women labouring aione in a Westernized hospital setting. Two high stress groups of first-time mothers, were studied; a mildly hypertensive group and a teenage group. the results indicated support to be moderately effective in both groups. Factors such as the cultural background, the apartheid system, social influences and the environment in which the mothers live may have impacted on the effectiveness of the support. / AC 2018

Thesis advisor: Gustavo Morello / This qualitative study of female English language learners living in the greater Boston area investigates the relationship which exists between social networks, English language learning, and immigrant assimilation. Understanding that social networks are important for immigrant assimilation because of the social capital they provide (Portes and Zhou, 1993), this study aims to understand how immigrant women with limited English proficiency build social networks in the United States, both with immigrants and native-born citizens of the United States. Data analysis shows that English language learning plays an pivotal role in the formation of social networks both with other immigrants and with native-born citizens, and that immigrant networks are ultimately more beneficial because they are more accessible. As immigration policies in the United States continue to change, it is important to study the changing needs and experiences of immigrants. There is a need for the greater Boston area to provide more spaces for interaction between immigrants and Americans to facilitate the formation of social networks and exchange of social capital between the two groups. / Thesis (BA) — Boston College, 2015. / Submitted to: Boston College. College of Arts and Sciences. / Discipline: Departmental Honors. / Discipline: Sociology.