Thesis (MTech (Business Administration))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2018. / The key objective of this study is to determine the effectiveness of social media as a banking communication tool for a selected commercial bank in the Western Cape, South Africa. A secondary objective is to measure bank users’ perceptions regarding the use of social media to market various banking products and portfolios. The study employs a confusion matrix design to collect and analyse data, combining quantitative and qualitative research methods to understand and address the research problem. An emerging understanding of integrated banking communication is the foundation on which this research is built. It provides a context for the study, and highlights the effectiveness and limitations of social media in banking. A review of the relevant SMBA affirmed the importance of the social media in banking, and provided the basis for a framework and approach to interactive banking. A comprehensive social media banking application (SMBa) could be designed in line with banking practices to create an enabling business environment. This could reinforce banking communication for South African banks and enable a tailor-made banking communication model aligned to social media, in order to develop a sharing-culture.

University of Macau / Faculty of Social Sciences. / Department of Communication

University of Macau / Faculty of Social Sciences. / Department of Communication

A social network is a structure of individuals and organizations, which are connected by one or more types of interdependency, such as friendship, affinity, common interests or knowledge. Social networks use Web 2.0 technology, which is mostly based on a service-oriented architecture. We are studying patterns for social networks in this environment. A pattern is an encapsulated solution to a software problem in a given context, secure threats are possible in this context. We present a collection of patterns associated with the most important aspects of social networks, with emphasis on controlling the actions of the users of these networks. / by Carolina Marina. / Thesis (M.S.C.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2012. / Includes bibliography. / Electronic reproduction. Boca Raton, Fla., 2012. Mode of access: World Wide Web.

This research examines how incorporating interactivity into online video advertisements effects the following key marketing dependent variables: a) Involvement with the Advertisement, b) Ad Recall, c) Attitude towards the website, d) Attitude towards the Advertisement, e) Attitude towards the Brand, and f) Purchase Intention. Deriving from past Interactivity research, three important facets of interactivity are identified; User Control, Two-way Communication and Synchronicity. In order to test an Internet based 2 (User Control: high or low) X 2 (two-way communication: high or low) X 2 (synchronicity: high or low) between subjects experimental design, 8 different online video platforms were created. The online video experiment was administered to approximately 400 students in a large South-Eastern school. Overall the findings regarding interactivity in online video advertising found no significant effect of synchronicity on the dependent variables. There was however a significant interaction effect of user control and two-way communication on the dependent variables. These interaction effects were examined further with a cell means multiple comparison analysis. User control and two-way communication were found to have a significant interaction effect on ad recall, purchase intention and attitude towards the brand. User control had a significant effect on involvement and two-way communication had a significant effect on attitude towards the website. There was no effect of UC or TWC on attitude towards the ad. / Includes bibliography. / Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2014. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

Friends have been implicated in the acquisition of adolescent substance use, but little attention has been given to how the origins of substance use similarity vary across groups. The first aim of this study is to examine whether friend selection, de-selection, and socialization differ as a function of friendship group's substance use. The second aim of this study is to extend Simulation Investigation for Empirical Network Analyses (SIENA) by demonstrating how group-level interactions can be included in the mode, and to demonstrate a new method to follow-up statistically significant group-level interactions in SIENA. Participants include 1419 Finnish students (729 females, 690 males) from upper secondary schools in Finland. Two waves of data were collected, starting when most participants were between 15 and 17 years of age. Waves of data collection were separated by one year. Results indicate that friends are selected, deselected, and socialized for substance use. Follow-up illustrations indicate that the magnitude of these processes vary as a function of substance use in the friendship group. / by Dawn DeLay. / Thesis (M.A.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2011. / Includes bibliography. / Electronic reproduction. Boca Raton, Fla., 2011. Mode of access: World Wide Web.

Adolescent friendships are critical for adjustment but are extremely unstable. Dyadic characteristics may put friendships at risk for dissolution, whereas individual characteristics may put individuals at risk for participating in unstable friendships. The present study examines whether dyadic or individual school-related characteristics predict rates of adolescent friendship dissolution. A sample of 410 adolescents (n=201 males, 209 females; M age=13.20 years) participated in 573 reciprocated friendships originating in the 7th grade which were followed from 8th-12th grade. Discrete-time survival analyses evaluated grade 7 dyadic and individual characteristics (sex, age, ethnicity, number of friends, peer acceptance, peer rejection, leadership, and school competence) as predictors of the occurrence and timing of friendship dissolution. Dissimilarity in sex, peer acceptance, and school competence and similarity in leadership predicted higher rates of friendship dissolution; individual characteristics were not significant predictors. Adolescents seeking friendships with more skilled individuals risk suffering the downside of dissimilarity, namely dissolution. / Includes bibliography. / Thesis (M.A.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2014. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-28T20:37:37Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Mara Sueli Kuhl Rossi.pdf: 592476 bytes, checksum: 4b28a48deb9465bfb39c6237c610a369 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-06-03 / This study used spontaneous statements given on virtual communities of Orkut social network to understand what contemporary individuals assume to be necessary in order to maintain a satisfactory conjugal relationship in the present times. In order to conduct this research the communities dedicated to the discussion of conjugal/loving relationships on such social network were mapped using the following keywords: satisfactory conjugal/loving relationship, unsatisfactory conjugal/loving relationship and break-up/separation. Once the inclusion and exclusion criteria established as procedures were applied on 3000 communities, 28 statements were obtained. The methodological strategy adopted for this study played an important role in this research because in addition to investigating conjugal satisfaction through computer-mediated communication, we also found evidence of the loneliness aspect of the contemporary individual who often lacks external parameters that legitimate their own feelings. Furthermore, the creation of this virtual locus for meeting other people allowed the identification of a sense of belonging to a group. Thus, we were able to analyze the content of what is spontaneously written by people regarding conjugal satisfaction. We also observed that the participants of virtual communities shared their own thoughts about affection, intimacy, meanings and rules. The analysis of the statements was performed in a qualitative and interpretative fashion, also allowing the comparison of the obtained results with other results found by studies performed using tables, questionnaires, DASs, among other resources. The results highlights were that the love component is no longer considered sufficient for sustaining the quality of the relationship and that complicity is seen as a basis for the development of intimacy and conjugal satisfaction. The dialog/communication component was found to be necessary to provide emotional communication and intimacy development. The lack of such dialogic channel compromises one‟s ability to cope with the differences, resulting in a rupture in the relationship. It was also possible to conclude that the demands in conjugal/loving relationships are going towards a democratic relationship in terms of equality of genders and towards relationships in which the respect for one‟s own individuality and their partner‟s individuality need to be valued in order to consolidate the commitment with the conjugal agreement. Therefore, we understand that conjugal relationships require effort, dedication, commitment and constancy as adjustments are made necessary, given that conjugal satisfaction is achieved through the construction process of the relationship according to quotidian events and interpersonal and social skills. We also concluded that there is more to a relationship than choosing a special partner; the relationship has to be special as well. Within this context of social changes, we found the recognition of the ephemeralities in relationships, although reciprocity was consolidated as a favorable resource for keeping the relationship bonds. We hope thus to contribute to other psychologists who work to further develop their knowledge into this matter, especially in their clinical practice with couples in developing the promotion of health / Este estudo teve como objetivo compreender como as pessoas, por intermédio de relatos espontâneos nas comunidades virtuais da rede social Orkut, presumem o que é necessário para manter um relacionamento conjugal satisfatório nos dias atuais. Para a construção desta pesquisa realizamos um mapeamento das comunidades que abordam questões sobre relacionamentos conjugais/amorosos nesta rede social, fazendo uso das seguintes palavras chaves: relação conjugal/amorosa satisfatória, relação conjugal/ amorosa insatisfatória e rompimento/separação. Após a aplicação dos critérios de inclusão e exclusão estabelecidos como procedimentos em 3000 comunidades, nos restaram 28 relatos. A estratégia metodológica adotada para este estudo teve um papel relevante nesta pesquisa, pois além de investigarmos a satisfação conjugal via a comunicação mediada pelo computador, também tivemos indicativos da solidão do individuo contemporâneo carente de parâmetros externos, que legitimem seus próprios sentimentos, e a criação deste lócus virtual de encontro de pessoas, possibilitou o reconhecimento do senso de pertencimento a um grupo. Desta maneira, pudemos analisar o conteúdo do que é escrito de forma espontânea pelas pessoas a respeito da satisfação conjugal. Observamos ainda, que os participantes das comunidades virtuais partilharam afeto, intimidade, significados e regras próprias. A análise do conteúdo dos nossos relatos foi realizada de forma qualitativa e interpretativa, nos possibilitando ainda, comparar nossos resultados com outros encontrados em estudos realizados com a utilização de tabelas, questionários, DAS, entre outros. Os destaques nos nossos resultados foram o componente amor não mais entendido como suficiente para a sustentação da qualidade da relação, além da cumplicidade que é vista como base para o desenvolvimento da intimidade e da satisfação conjugal. O componente diálogo/comunicação apareceu como necessário para propiciar a comunicação emocional e desenvolver a intimidade. A falta deste canal dialógico compromete o convívio com as diferenças, resultando em rompimento para a relação. Pudemos constatar que as demandas dos relacionamentos conjugais/amorosos contemporâneos caminham para uma relação democrática, com equidade de gênero, na qual, o respeito à própria individualidade e a do outro precisam ser valorizados, a fim de consolidar o comprometimento com o acordo conjugal. Assim posto, compreendemos que o trabalho conjugal exige esforço, dedicação, comprometimento e constância, à medida que ajustes são necessários, pois a satisfação conjugal se dará entorno do processo da construção da relação em função de dados do cotidiano e das habilidades interpessoais e sociais. Constatamos ainda que mais que a escolha do parceiro (a) especial, o relacionamento precisa ser especial. Neste contexto de transformações sociais, aparece o reconhecimento das efemeridades nas relações, todavia a reciprocidade se consolida como um recurso favorável de manutenção da união. Esperamos assim, ter contribuído para que psicólogos possam aprofundar conhecimentos, principalmente a prática clínica com casais no desenvolvimento de promoção de saúde

Submitted by Adriana Alves Rodrigues (aalves@espm.br) on 2018-10-11T15:40:58Z No. of bitstreams: 1 MPPJM - CLEBER STEVANI PÓS-BANCA.pdf: 5487444 bytes, checksum: 5cbc5fd7e7e80d2e383403bf9e4c0238 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Adriana Alves Rodrigues (aalves@espm.br) on 2018-10-11T15:41:24Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 MPPJM - CLEBER STEVANI PÓS-BANCA.pdf: 5487444 bytes, checksum: 5cbc5fd7e7e80d2e383403bf9e4c0238 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Debora Cristina Bonfim Aquarone (deborabonfim@espm.br) on 2018-10-11T15:42:32Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 MPPJM - CLEBER STEVANI PÓS-BANCA.pdf: 5487444 bytes, checksum: 5cbc5fd7e7e80d2e383403bf9e4c0238 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-10-11T15:42:48Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 MPPJM - CLEBER STEVANI PÓS-BANCA.pdf: 5487444 bytes, checksum: 5cbc5fd7e7e80d2e383403bf9e4c0238 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-10-28 / Snapchat is a social video network and its main features are the vertical format, perpetuated by the application due to the operational exclusivity in smartphones and handsets, and the ephemerality of the content, in what was a pioneer. The platform came out in 2011 with the purpose of making videos with simple and fun language. Emojis are very popular and fundamental to complement communication between users - mostly young people of named generation Y, or "millennials". With the growth of Snapchat in recent years, newspaper companies have invested in the application to bring information and engage that audience to their respective platforms, particularly in the United States. In Brazil, the UOL portal is the journalistic medium that produces the most content for Snapchat. Given this scenario, the present study make an analysis of the use of Snapchat in the coverage of the municipal elections of São Paulo in 2016 by UOL. The research maps and analyzes the uses the portal made of Snapchat on occasion and uses the data to support the production of a small documentary about Snapchat's potential for journalism in the digital age. After a bibliographical survey, interviews and content analysis we understand that Snapchat is an application that has been of little use by the Brazilian press and we have produced a nine-minute small video on the subject, in Snapchat format. / O Snapchat é uma rede social de vídeo e suas principais características são o formato vertical, perpetuado pelo aplicativo devido à exclusividade operacional em smartphones e aparelhos de celulares, e a efemeridade do conteúdo, no que foi pioneiro. A plataforma surgiu em 2011 com o propósito de fazer vídeos com linguagem simples e divertida. Os emojis são muito populares nela, e fundamentais para complementar a comunicação entre os usuários – na maior parte, jovens da chamada geração Y, ou "millennials". Com o crescimento do Snapchat nos últimos anos, empresas jornalísticas investiram no aplicativo para levar informação e engajar esse público para suas respectivas plataformas, particularmente, nos Estados Unidos. No Brasil, o portal UOL é o veículo jornalístico que mais consistentemente produz conteúdo para Snapchat. Diante desse panorama, o presente estudo traz uma análise sobre o uso do Snapchat na cobertura das eleições municipais de São Paulo em 2016 pelo UOL. A pesquisa mapeia e analisa os usos que o portal fez do Snapchat na ocasião e usa esses dados para subsidiar a produção de um minidocumentário sobre as potencialidades do Snapchat para o jornalismo na era digital. Após um levantamento bibliográfico, entrevistas e análise de conteúdo compreendemos que o Snapchat é um aplicativo que tem sido de pouco aproveitamento pela imprensa brasileira e produzimos um minidocumentário de nove minutos sobre o tema, no formato do Snapchat.

A pílula anticoncepcional, no momento de sua criação, foi considerada como uma grande invenção do século XX, desencadeando transformações na vida sexual e contraceptiva de mulheres, sendo ainda hoje um dos contraceptivos mais utilizados no Brasil. Essa dissertação versa sobre o processo de suspensão do uso da pílula anticoncepcional pelas participantes do grupo de Facebook \"Adeus, Hormônios: contracepção não-hormonal\". O exame dos significados construídos em torno da pílula anticoncepcional são parte constituinte e fundamental para a compreensão deste processo, que se dá a partir da Etnografia do Ciberespaço, da observação e análise do grupo virtual, de entrevistas com as administradoras e moderadoras do mesmo, e das publicações das participantes realizadas nesse espaço. O grupo é formado majoritariamente por mulheres de 18 a 34 anos, residentes de estados do sul e do sudeste brasileiro. Em seus discursos, constam preocupações com os efeitos colaterais da pílula anticoncepcional e demais contraceptivos hormonais, com a escolha do método contraceptivo não-hormonal mais adequado considerando as especificidades de cada sujeito, com debates em torno da ideia de \"corpo natural\" e de produção de estilos de vida. Há um conjunto de fatores que contribuem para a ampliação e fortalecimento deste movimento de \"suspensão do hormônio e construção de um corpo natural\", dentre elas: mulheres incomodadas com intervenções médicas, mulheres questionando determinadas concepções sobre padrões corporais, um incentivo ao \"viver saudável\" nas redes sociais, discussões sobre humanização na assistência à saúde, releitura de determinados ideais feministas, disseminação de notícias de mulheres doentes em função de efeitos adversos da anticoncepção oral, divulgação de tudo isso em uma plataforma de amplo alcance como o Facebook. A mulher que recusa o uso da pílula anticoncepcional exprime a díade liberdade-controle: por um lado, guarda a perspectiva da liberdade de ter um corpo destituído de hormônios, por outro lado, tem a busca pelo domínio sobre seus processos corporais e pelo método contraceptivo que mais se adequa a ele. Pode-se falar também numa díade natural-artificial: enquanto a pílula anticoncepcional promove um controle artificial de determinados processos corporais, os métodos naturais possibilitam uma \"gestão consciente\" do corpo, baseada numa interpretação e respeito a seus \"processos naturais\". Todavia, não se escapa à busca pelo controle sobre este \"corpo natural\", ainda que a observação e vigilância constantes da própria mulher sobre o corpo ensejam a liberdade de poder \"compreendê-lo\". / The contraceptive pill, at the time of its creation, was considered as a great invention of the twentieth century, triggering transformations in the sexual and contraceptive life of women, being still today one of the most used contraceptives in Brazil. This dissertation is about the process of suspending the use of the contraceptive pill by the participants of the Facebook group \"Goodbye, Hormones: non-hormonal contraception\". The examination of the meanings built around the contraceptive pill are a constituent and fundamental part of the understanding of this process, which is based on the Ethnography of Cyberspace, the observation and analysis of the virtual group, interviews with the administrators and moderators of the same, and of the publications of the participants in this space. The group is formed mostly by women between 18 and 34 years old, living in the states of southern and southeastern Brazil. In their speeches, there are concerns about the side effects of the contraceptive pill and other hormonal contraceptives, with the choice of the most appropriate non-hormonal contraceptive method considering the specificities of each subject, with debates around the idea of \"natural body\" and production of life styles. There is a set of factors that contribute to the expansion and strengthening of this movement of \"hormone suspension and the construction of a natural body\", among them: women who are inconvenienced with medical interventions, women questioning certain conceptions about body patterns, an incentive to \"live healthy\" on social networks, discussions on humanization in health care, re-reading of certain feminist ideals, dissemination of news of sick women as a result of the adverse effects of oral contraception, dissemination of all of this on a broad-based platform such as Facebook. The woman who refuses to use the contraceptive pill expresses the freedom-control dyad: a control according to her individual needs based on the interpretation and respect for her \"natural processes\", and the freedom to have a body devoid of hormones, exerting the woman\'s search by the mastery over his bodily processes and the contraceptive method that best suits him. While the contraceptive pill promotes an artificial control of certain bodily processes, natural methods enable a \"conscious management\" of the body, also kept under control through the constant observation and vigilance of the woman herself, providing the freedom to \"understand\" it.