scholarly journals Expert power as a constituent of opinion leadership: a conceptual analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Reijo Savolainen ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Analysis ◽  
Social Power ◽  
Research Literature ◽  
Opinion Leaders ◽  
Opinion Leadership ◽  
Political Discussion ◽  
Knowledge And Skills ◽  
Leadership Analysis ◽  
Expert Power ◽  
Superior Knowledge

Introduction. Drawing on the typology of social power developed by French and Raven, this paper elaborates the relationships between information behaviour and power by examining how expert power appears in the characterisations of opinion leadership presented in the research literature. Method. Conceptual analysis focusing on the ways in which expert power are constitutive of the construct of opinion leadership. Analysis. The study draws on the conceptual analysis of forty-eight key studies on the above issue. Results. Expert power refers to the opinion leader’s ability to influence the thoughts, attitudes and behaviour of other people through information sharing, due to the possession of such knowledge and skills valued by others. Expert power originates from superior knowledge and skills acquired by means of active use of mass media in particular. Expert power is used in the process in which opinion leaders share their views in diverse contexts such as consumption and political discussion. The extent to which opinion leaders can use their expert power depends on their position in social networks. The findings highlight the need to rethink the traditional construct of opinion leadership because it increasingly occurs in the networked information environments characterised by growing volatility and scepticism towards authorities such as opinion leaders. Conclusion. Opinion leadership is a significant form of social influence put into effect through sharing personal views. Expert power is a key constituent of opinion leadership affecting the extent to which views shared by opinion leaders can influence the thoughts, attitudes and behaviour of opinion seekers.

scholarly journals Manifestations of expert power in gatekeeping: a conceptual study

2020 ◽  
Vol 76 (6) ◽  
pp. 1215-1232
Author(s):  
Reijo Savolainen
Keyword(s):  
Social Power ◽  
Research Literature ◽  
Power Relationships ◽  
Access To Information ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Specific Domain ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Referent Power ◽  
Expert Power ◽  
Depth Analysis

PurposeThis study aims to elaborate the picture of the relationships between information and power by examining how expert power appears in the characterizations of gatekeeping presented in the research literature.Design/methodology/approachThis study uses conceptual analysis for examining how expert power is constitutive of the construct of gatekeeper and how people subject to the influence of gatekeeping trust or challenge the expert power attributed to gatekeepers. The study draws on the analysis of 40 key studies on the above issues.FindingsResearchers have mainly constructed the gatekeepers' expert power in terms of superior knowledge and skills applicable to a specific domain, coupled with an ability to control or facilitate access to information. The gatekeeper's expert power has been approached as a contextual factor that facilitates rather than controls access to information. The power relationships between the gatekeepers and those subject to gatekeeping vary contextually, depending on the extent to which the latter have access to alternative sources of information. The findings highlight the need to elaborate the construct of gatekeeping by rethinking its relevance in the networked information environments where the traditional picture of gatekeepers controlling access to information sources is eroding.Research limitations/implicationsAs the study focuses on how expert power figures in gatekeeping, no attention is devoted to the role of social power of other types, for example, reward power and referent power.Originality/valueThe study pioneers by providing an in-depth analysis of the nature of expert power as a constituent of gatekeeping.

Cognitive Authority as an Instance of Informational and Expert Power

Libri ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Reijo Savolainen
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Analysis ◽  
Information Sources ◽  
Research Literature ◽  
Experiential Knowledge ◽  
Expert Power ◽  
Cognitive Authority

Abstract The study elaborates the picture of the relationships between information and power by examining how informational and expert power appear in the characterizations of cognitive authority presented in the research literature. The study draws on the conceptual analysis of 25 key studies on the above issues. Mainly focusing on Patrick Wilson’s classic notion of cognitive authority, it was examined how informational power and expert power are constitutive of authority of this kind, and how people subject to the influence of cognitive authorities trust or challenge such authorities. The findings indicate that researchers have characterized the features of expert power inherent in cognitive authority by diverse qualifiers such as competence and trustworthiness of information sources considered authoritative. Informational power has mainly been approached in terms of irrefutability of individual arguments and facts offered by cognitive authorities. Both forms of power are persuasive in nature and information seekers can trust or challenge them by drawing on their experiential knowledge in particular. The findings also highlight the need to elaborate the construct of cognitive authority by rethinking its relevance in the networked information environments where the traditional picture of authoritative information sources is eroding.

Political discussion, opinion leadership and trust

2012 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 46-55 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donatella Campus
Keyword(s):  
Interpersonal Communication ◽  
Political Communication ◽  
Opinion Leaders ◽  
Opinion Leadership ◽  
Political Discussion ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Evolving Context ◽  
The Impact ◽  
New Evidence

The recent developments in political communication, in particular the process of popularization of politics and the diffusion of Internet, are notably challenging the relationship between citizens and media. In this rapidly evolving context it is worth analysing the role of political discussion in personal networks and small groups. Also, very recent research has offered new evidence to the old thesis that, despite the massive presence of mass media, personal discussion shapes the formation of the political opinion. A particularly important aspect concerns the nature of opinion leadership: who are the new opinion leaders able to influence processes of interpersonal communication? This article reassesses such a theoretical framework by reviewing the state-of-the-art and providing a foundation for a debate on the themes of trust in information sources and the impact of opinion leaders.

scholarly journals Relationship between Gender and Opinion Leadership among the Fish Farmers of Chhattisgarh

2021 ◽  
Vol 57 (4) ◽  
pp. 93-96
Author(s):  
Dileshwari Ratre ◽  
S. N. Ojha ◽  
Arpita Sharma ◽  
Ramasubramanian V ◽  
Rajpal Yadav
Keyword(s):  
Gender Roles ◽  
Fish Farming ◽  
Opinion Leaders ◽  
Opinion Leadership ◽  
Family Resources ◽  
Female Fish ◽  
Male Fish ◽  
Extension Professionals

The ratio of fish farmers to fisheries extension professionals was 1:1000 which is too low. Para-extension functionaries can fill up this gap in the fisheries sector to improve the production and productivity of fishers. The opinion leaders from the local fish farmers community will help identify fish farmers who can further transfer the knowledge concerning how to fish to others through their diffusion network. This study was undertaken to analyze gender roles in fish farming and their relation with opinion leaders. It was observed that 90% of male fish farmers had control of fisheries/family resources, and 97 per cent of fish farmers were found to have contact with male opinion leaders. At the same time, 33% of female fish farmers were contacted by shelf help groups and local progressive farmers. The study shows that the opinion leaders influenced the fish farmers’ diffusion network and their knowledge about how to fish. To involve women in the fisheries sector, empower women, there is also a need to select opinion leaders preferred by women fish farmers.

scholarly journals A systematic literature review of personalized learning terms

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Atikah Shemshack ◽  
Jonathan Michael Spector
Keyword(s):  
Learning Experience ◽  
Personalized Learning ◽  
Research Literature ◽  
Learning Models ◽  
Knowledge And Skills ◽  
Personal Bias ◽  
Cognitive Awareness ◽  
Personal Experiences ◽  
Knowledge Perspective ◽  
Meta Analyses

Abstract Learning is a natural human activity that is shaped by personal experiences, cognitive awareness, personal bias, opinions, cultural background, and environment. Learning has been defined as a stable and persistent change in what a person knows and can do. Learning is formed through an individual’s interactions, including the conveyance of knowledge and skills from others and experiences. So, learning is a personalized experience that allows one to expand their knowledge, perspective, skills, and understanding. Therefore, personalized learning models can help to meet individual needs and goals. Furthermore, to personalize the learning experience, technology integration can play a crucial role. This paper provides a review of the recent research literature on personalized learning as technology is changing how learning can be effectively personalized. The emphasis is on the terms used to characterize learning as those can suggest a framework for personalized and will eventually be used in meta-analyses of research on personalized learning, which is beyond the scope of this paper.

Expert Online Review Platforms: Interactions between Specialization, Experience, and User Power

2020 ◽  
Vol 60 (2) ◽  
pp. 384-400
Author(s):  
Fuad Mehraliyev ◽  
Youngjoon Choi ◽  
Brian King
Keyword(s):  
Social Power ◽  
Deliberate Practice ◽  
Psychological Effects ◽  
Online Review ◽  
Intention To Use ◽  
Human Computer Interactions ◽  
Significant Interaction Effect ◽  
Social Actors ◽  
Expert Power ◽  
Online Travel

Using the “Computers are social actors” paradigm, this study brings the concept of power to human–computer interactions in tourism. Building on theories of social power and deliberate practice, the authors examine psychological effects of expert power of online travel review platforms (influencer) and its interaction effects with the power of users (influenced). Two expert platform attributes are conceptualized: specialization and experience. A significant interaction effect was identified between platform specialization, platform experience, and user power on perceived information-task fit using a 2 × 2 × 2 between-subjects experiment. When users are powerful, specialization affected perceived information-task fit for low-experience platforms; no significant effect was evident for high experience platforms. When users are powerless, specialization did not affect perceived information-task fit, regardless of experience condition. Perceived information-task fit mediated the effect of specialization on intention to use. The findings contribute to power discourses by exploring the workings of expert power.

scholarly journals Challenging Official Propaganda? Public Opinion Leaders on Sina Weibo

2016 ◽  
Vol 225 ◽  
pp. 122-144 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joyce Y. M. Nip ◽  
King-wa Fu
Keyword(s):  
Public Opinion ◽  
Opinion Leaders ◽  
Opinion Leadership ◽  
Online Media ◽  
Sina Weibo ◽  
Secondary Role ◽  
The People ◽  
News Organizations ◽  
Media Organizations ◽  
The Voice

AbstractThis article examines the prominence of various user categories as opinion leaders, defined as initiators, agenda setters or disseminators, in 29 corruption cases exposed on Sina Weibo. It finds that ordinary citizens made up the largest category of initiators but that their power of opinion leadership was limited as they had to rely on media organizations to spread news about the cases. News organizations and online media were the main opinion leaders. Government and Party bodies initiated a fair number of cases and, despite not being strong agenda setters or disseminators, were able to dominate public opinion owing to the fact that news organizations and online media mainly published official announcements about the cases. Media organizations also played a secondary role as the voice of the people. While individuals from some other user categories were able to become prominent opinion leaders, news workers are likely to be the most promising user category to challenge official propaganda.

Organizational opinion leader charisma, rolemodeling, and relationships

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 80-102 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven Brown ◽  
Lisa Chen ◽  
Edward O’Donnell
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Support ◽  
Affective Commitment ◽  
Opinion Leader ◽  
Role Modeling ◽  
Opinion Leaders ◽  
Opinion Leadership ◽  
Normative Commitment ◽  
Exchange Relationships ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Idealized Influence

Purpose This cross-disciplinary, empirical study aims to examine the phenomenon of organizational opinion leadership. Extant research concerning social capital and both referent and expert power suggests that informal opinion leaders within an organizational setting have the ability to influence their co-workers. This study focuses on the transformational leadership characteristics of idealized influence-attributed (charisma) and -behavior (role modeling). The social exchange aspects of the opinion leader–seeker relationship process are examined through an application of dyadic concepts found within leader–member exchange (LMX) theory. This study examines potential outcomes of opinion leader influence, specifically, opinion-seeker perceived organizational support (POS), affective commitment and normative commitment. Design/methodology/approach This study examines the dynamics of organizational opinion leader (OOL)–organizational opinion seeker (OOS) relationship to determine whether OOLs influence OOSs through role modeling and charisma, captured through the idealized influence aspect of transformational leadership. The OOL–OOS relationship is examined through the lens of LMX, commonly used to examine supervisor–subordinate exchange relationships. This study also examines whether OOLs’ idealized influence and OOL–OOS exchange relationships are related to OOSs’ perceived organizational support (POS) and both affective and normative commitment, and whether POS mediates their influence. Hypotheses are offered and survey data collected from a heterogeneous sample of 646 individuals is examined using structural equation modeling. Findings The results suggest that idealized influence consistently positively influences the outcomes. LMX-affect, -loyalty and -professional respect influence OOS perceptions of POS. Idealized influence and POS influence OOS affective and normative commitment. LMX-affect influences OOS affective and normative commitment, while LMX-loyalty influences normative commitment. LMX-professional respect slightly influenced OOS affective commitment negatively, suggesting that respect does not engender positive feelings and had no influence on normative commitment. Research limitations/implications This interdisciplinary study integrates concepts found within marketing, political science and organizational literature works to shed new light on the informal influence organizational members have on one another, which furthers our understanding of both shared leadership and opinion leadership. This research provides another frame for the concept of shared leadership, suggesting that OOL influence occurs horizontally and vertically within organizations. The overall findings suggest that both the characteristics of opinion leaders and the quality of OOL–OOS relationships matter. Practical implications This research highlights the importance of recognizing and enabling organizational members whose opinions are sought by their peers. Organizational opinion leadership exists within organization and influences organizational members’ attitudes and perceptions. Therefore, it is a necessity that organizations understand the phenomenon and guide it, much as organizational culture is guided, so that it produces positive organizational outcomes. Originality/value Very little research exists concerning organizational opinion leadership. This study breaks new ground by developing theory, applying accepted constructs to the phenomenon and empirically testing the impact of opinion leadership.

scholarly journals Critical accommodation information for travel opinion leader

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 001
Author(s):  
Chien Mu Yeh
Keyword(s):  
Opinion Leader ◽  
Opinion Leaders ◽  
Opinion Leadership ◽  
Tourism Research ◽  
Perceived Importance ◽  
Information Providers ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Practical Implications

Potential tourists search for accommodation information once they decide to travel. Travel opinion leaders are critical accommodation information providers for potential tourists. However, we know little about travel opinion leaders’ perceived importance of accommodation information. The current study examined the relationship between travel opinion leadership and perceived importance of accommodation information. Results showed that there were significant differences in the perception of important accommodation information between the high and low travel opinion leadership groups. These results make theoretical and practical implications for tourism research and accommodation managers.

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