Ph.D. Degree Program Archive
A Social Networks Approach to Online Social Movement:
Abstract: The movement to free Al Jazeera journalists (#FreeAJStaff), imprisoned by Egyptian authorities, utilized Twitter over almost two years, between 2014 and 2015. This study applied a social networks approach […]
Treading Troubled Water
Abstract: Institutional knowledge and collective learning are invaluable resources for the corporate communications profession. How corporations and government agencies have historically communicated with publics provides historical parameters for developing public […]
Image and framing effects on perceptions of self-efficacy and body satisfaction
Abstract: This study, in the context of encouraging participants to enroll in a company’s employee wellness program, uses gain-loss framing (Rothman & Salovey, 1997) and social comparison theory (Festinger, 1954) […]
Advertising a Health Product Brand on Facebook
Abstract: The current study examined the effects of 3 types of Facebook reaction icons (positive, neutral, negative) and valence of comments (positive, neutral, negative) on brand attitude, trust, information seeking, […]
A Longitudinal Investigation of Empathic Exchanges in Online Cancer Support Groups
Abstract: Although recent empirical findings have suggested evidence of expression effect over reception effect, there remain both theoretical and methodological complexities concerning whether and under what condition message expression and […]
Knowledge is Power
Today we encounter online content from a plethora of sources, in email, social media feeds and websites. Native advertising complicates this landscape, as this content mimics news but may be […]
Towards an understanding of social media literacy
Abstract: On October 31, 2016, a bit of copy/paste began spreading around Facebook, encouraging people to “check-in” to the Standing Rock Indian Reservation in Canon Ball, North Dakota, even if […]
The Effects of CEOs’ Self-Disclosure on Consumer-Brand Relationships
Abstract : This study examined the effects of a chief executive officers’ (CEO) self-disclosure on consumer-brand relationships and the moderating role of brand relationship norms. To test the proposed hypotheses, […]
The Role of Matching Construal Level and Social Distance in Young Drivers’ Changes of Attitude and Behavior toward Texting While Driving
Abstract: This study examines message strategies of PSAs that can effectively discourage young adults from texting while driving. We test the effect of matching young adults’ perceived social distance and […]
Why Do Consumers Use Branded Mobile Apps?
Abstract: Applying Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), this study examined motivations for consumers’ use of mobile apps, and concerns arising from their actual usage. A proposed model, tested using structural equation […]