Understanding social media users’ unfollow intentions: take WeChat subscriptions as an example

A study on the causes of viewers' non-continuous following intention in tourism live streaming

With the advancement of digital technologies, tourism live streaming (TLS) has rapidly gained global popularity due to its real-time and interactive features, showcasing significant marketing potential. However, viewer retention remains a major challenge and a bottleneck for TLS development. This study first defined the concept and dimensions of alternative attractiveness in TLS through qualitative interviews. It then constructs an analytical framework based on the Push-Pull-Mooring (PPM) theory. It empirically tests how psychological contract breach, viewer-live streamer social distance, and alternative attractiveness influence viewers' non-continuous following intention (NCFI) in TLS. The findings reveal that these factors significantly impact NCFI. Customer complaining behavior mediates the relationship between psychological contract breach and NCFI, and perceived controllability positively moderates this relationship. This study provides a new theoretical perspective on understanding viewer attrition mechanisms and offers practical suggestions for TLS platforms and streamers to enhance viewer retention.

Social network fatigue: revisiting the antecedents and consequences

Purpose

The study explores the antecedents and consequences of social network fatigue (SNF) using the stress–strain–outcome (S-S-O) model. It builds on the work of previous scholars in the area of SNS by focussing on the intervening processes that explain the study's focal constructs.

Design/methodology/approach

To test the proposed framework, the study draws cross-sectional data from Indian Facebook users. Data were collected using an online survey, and the final sample of 309 valid and complete responses was analysed using SmartPLS to test the study's hypotheses.

Findings

The findings of the study report fear of missing out (FoMO) to be positively related to compulsive use (CU) of Facebook. CU had positive and significant direct and indirect effects (via information and social overload) on SNF. SNF was significantly associated with both depression (DEP) and discontinuous use intention (DUI). However, Facebook use intensity (FBI)'s moderating role on the relationship between FoMO and CU was insignificant.

Originality/value

First, the current study proposes and empirically tests a comprehensive model on the lines of the S-S-O model to understand the antecedents and consequences of SNF. Second, the study uses an Indian sample that is not age-specific (adolescents or young adults), unlike most past studies. Third, it examines various intervening stages and processes (through mediation and moderation) suggested by previous scholars but not yet explored.

Modelling the role of social media usage in improving users well-being: a social enhancement model perspective

Purpose

Employees have gradually adopted social media sites and their applications that have been associated with enhanced communication and collaboration at the workplace. However, social technologies have both positive as well as negative consequences. The current study examines the impact of loneliness on employees' psychological well-being (PW); subsequently, the mediating role of social media use intensity (SMI) at the workplace. It also examines the moderating role of gender and management status of employees.

Design/methodology/approach

The present study conducted an online and offline survey using a cross-sectional design. Data were collected from 206 working professionals from the IT industry in India. Structural equation modelling was applied to analyse data.

Findings

Results revealed that employee loneliness is positively associated with SMI. Employee's SMI was positively associated with enhanced PW. Unexpectedly, employee loneliness is positively and significantly related to PW. However, the moderating roles of gender and management status of employees were not supported.

Practical implications

The current study can help managers, policymakers and organizations better understand the role of employee social media use in the workplace. Using the insights and understanding offered by the study, social media can be effectively utilized in the workplace. The study recommends that organizations may allow the use of social media at the workplace. Social media resources may also be helpful in improving employee communication and digital literacy.

Originality/value

The current study is a pioneer work and contributes to the literature by examining the relationship between loneliness, SMI and PW. This study has essential theoretical and managerial contributions.

Autonomous Motivation and Self-Disclosure Intention

Studies that specifically discuss the formation of autonomous motivations of users of social networking services (SNSs) and how such motivation influences SNS user intention to disclose personal location-related information (PLRI) are absent from the literature. Consequently, this study, based on the self-determination theory and the information system success (ISS) model, investigates the relationships among key system-related quality factors, SNS users’ autonomous motivations and user satisfaction regarding an SNS, and their intentions to disclose PLRI. Survey data collected from 514 students at six universities were analyzed to validate our research model. Research results show that three system-related quality factors have different influences on user satisfaction and autonomous motivation, while both autonomous motivation and user satisfaction are significant antecedents of user intention to disclose PLRI. The research results have extended the application and advanced the understanding of ISS model and self-determination theory in the context of SNS.

Triggers and strategies related to the collaborative information-seeking behaviour of researchers in ResearchGate

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the triggers, strategies and outcomes of collaborative information-seeking behaviours of researchers on the ResearchGate social networking site.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from the population of researchers who use ResearchGate. The sample was limited to the Ph.D. students and assistant professors in the library and information science domain. Qualitative interviews were used for data collection.

Findings

Based on the findings of the study, informal communications and complex information needs lead to a decision to use collaborative information-seeking behaviour. Also, easy access to sources of information and finding relevant information were the major positive factors contributing to collaborative information-seeking behaviour of the ResearchGate users. Users moved from collaborative Q&A strategies to sharing information, synthesising information and networking strategies based on their needs. Analysis of information-seeking behaviour showed that ResearchGate users bridged the information gap by internalizing new knowledge, making collaborative decisions and increasing their work's visibility.

Originality/value

As one of the initial studies on the collaborative information-seeking behaviour of ResearchGate users, this study provides a holistic picture of different triggers that affect researchers' information-seeking on ResearchGate.