Predicting information exposure and continuous consumption: self-level interest similarity, peer-level interest similarity and global popularity

PurposeThis study examines users' information selection strategy on knowledge-sharing platforms from the individual level, peer level and societal level. Though previous literature has explained these three levels separately, few have simultaneously examined their impacts and identified the dominant one according to their effect strengths. The study aims to fill this research gap of the competitions among different levels of information selection mechanisms. Besides, this study also proposes a three-step decision-tree approach to depict the consumption process, including the decision of first-time exposure, the decision of continuous consumption and the decision of feedback behavior participation.Design/methodology/approachThis study analyzed a clickstream dataset of a Chinese information technology blogging site, CSDN.net. Employing a sequential logit model, it examined the impacts of self-level interest similarity, peer-level interest similarity and global popularity simultaneously on each turning point in the consumption process.FindingsThe authors’ findings indicate that self-level interest similarity is the most dominant factor influencing users to browse a knowledge-sharing blog, followed by peer-level interest similarity and then global popularity. All three mechanisms have consistent influences on decision-making in continuous information consumption. Surprisingly, the authors find self-level interest similarity negatively influences users to give feedback on knowledge-sharing blogs.Originality/valueThis paper fulfills the research gap of the dominance among three-levels of selection mechanisms. This study's findings not only could contribute to information consumption studies by providing theoretical insights on audience behavior patterns, but also help the industry advance its recommendation algorithm design and improve users' experience satisfaction.Peer review – The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/OIR-10-2020-0475

Information Diffusion on Complex Networks: A Novel Approach Based on Topic Modeling and Pretopology Theory

In this research, we exploit a novel approach for propagation processes on a network related to textual information by using topic modeling and pretopology theory. We first introduce the textual agent’s network in which each agent represents a node which contains specific properties, particularly the agent’s interest. Agent’s interest is illustrated through the topic’s probability distribution which is estimated based on textual information using topic modeling. Based on textual agent’s network, we proposed two information diffusion models. The first model, namely Textual-Homo-IC, is an expanded model of independent cascade model in which the probability of infection is formed on homophily that is measured based on agent’s interest similarity. In addition to expressing the Textual-Homo-IC model on the static network, we also reveal it on dynamic agent’s network where there is transformation of not only the structure but also the node’s properties during the spreading process. We conducted experiments on two collected datasets from NIPS and a social network platform, Twitter, and have attained satisfactory results. On the other hand, we continue to exploit the dissemination process on a multi-relational agent’s network by integrating the pseudo-closure function from pretopology theory to the cascade model. By using pseudo-closure or stochastic pseudo-closure functions to define the set of neighbors, we can capture more complex kind of neighbors of a set. In this study, we propose the second model, namely Textual-Homo-PCM, an expanded model of pretopological cascade model, a general model for information diffusion process that can take place in more complex networks such as multi-relational networks or stochastic graphs. In Textual-Homo-PCM, pretopology theory will be applied to determine the neighborhood set on multi-relational agent’s network through pseudo-closure functions. Besides, threshold rule based on homophily will be used for activation. Experiments are implemented for simulating Textual-Homo-PCM and we obtained expected results. The work in this paper is an extended version of our paper [T. K. T. Ho, Q. V. Bui and M. Bui, Homophily independent cascade diffusion model based on textual information, in Computational Collective Intelligence, eds. N. T. Nguyen, E. Pimenidis, Z. Khan and B. Trawiski, Lecture Notes in Computer Science, Vol. 11055 (Springer International Publishing, 2018), pp. 134–145] presented in ICCCI 2018 conference.

Workplace friendship in hospitality organizations: a scale development

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to explore workplace friendship in hospitality organizations and to develop an appropriate scale that combines qualitative and quantitative methods.Design/methodology/approachA mixed-methods design was selected to capitalize on the strength of both qualitative and quantitative approaches to reveal robust findings. First, in-depth interviews were carried out to determine the forms of workplace friendship. Second, an instrument was developed on the basis of the interviews, and 6 factors were extracted from exploratory factor analysis with 507 Samples-1. Third, confirmatory factor analysis with 507 Samples-2 was performed to identify the validity of the workplace friendship scale.FindingsA 65-item, six-factor workplace friendship scale was developed. The six dimensions are trustworthiness, competency, having someone’s back, value-life interest similarity, caring personal relationships and socio-cultural similarity.Research limitations/implicationsThe sampling approach may limit the generalizability of the study findings as the data were collected from Turkish employees in Turkey. Cultural differences in individual relations may affect individual approaches to workplace friendship. Therefore, future cross-cultural research with samples from different populations and workplaces would be useful to explore similarities and differences with the findings of this study and to better understand the intricate structure of friendship.Originality/valueThis study contributes a reliable and valid measurement scale to address workplace friendship hospitality organizations.