This study develops elements of a transformational change framework that is theoretically and empirically grounded and is context based through case studies of 6 institutions over a 4-year period. The 3 key findings include: (a) 5 core strategies for transformational change; (b) the characteristic that makes them the essential, sensemaking; and (c) the interrelationship among core and secondary...

Trust computing has become more important on Web-based Social Networks (WBSNs), such as MySpace, Facebook, and LinkedIn where people interact and seek information based on trust. On existing WBSN platforms, users can explicitly specify trust value to which they have direct relationship with. The user can then make a decision based on this trust value of others and their opinions. However, the u...

The technological frames of reference strand of social shaping of technology theory is used to overlay the issues arising from a case study looking at non-compliance with information systems. A recent review of the theory suggests that although frame content is often addressed, frame structure, the process of framing, and the characteristics and outcomes of frames are largely overlooked. This p...

Social media-based recruitment for epidemiologic studies has the potential to expand the demographic and geographic reach of investigators and identify potential participants more cost-effectively than traditional approaches. In fact, social media are particularly appealing for their ability to engage traditionally "hard-to-reach" populations, including young adults and low-income populations. ...

OBJECTIVES To examine the independent influence of school economic deprivation, social fragmentation, and social cohesion on the likelihood of participating in no physical activity among students. METHODS Data are from a large-scale longitudinal study of schools based in disadvantaged communities in Quebec, Canada. Questionnaires were administered every year between 2002 and 2008 among n = 14...

In the ordinary debate about the political culture decline, social networks have recently changed the social scenario, showing its relevance in down-up social movements. Therefore, social networks are taken here as a potential place for the existence of active citizens ones that are able and keen about political action in a common world or community. Such recent political revitalization demonst...

Algorithm visualization (AV) software graphically illustrates how algorithms work. Traditionally, computer science instructors have used the software as a visual aid in lectures, or as the basis for interactive laboratories. An alternative approach, inspired by Social Constructivist learning theory, is to have students construct and present their own visualizations. Notice that, in this alterna...

This study is aimed at uncovering the model and the practices of knowledge sharing and flow in the agricultural knowledge centers established by a project named “Improving Productivity and Market Success” (IPMS). The goal was to improve agricultural productivity through market-oriented development to enhance livelihoods for rural populations. The twenty eight Agricultural Knowledge Centers esta...

The social sciences have traditionally been quite week in terms of formulating scientific cause-and-effect theories that would be useful for making predictions. In recent years, however, a number of theories with predictive potential have come up. The article applies a number of such theories from diverse areas including economics, history, systems theory and evolutionary psychology in an attem...

As research on the connection between narcissism and social networking site (SNS) use grows, definitions of SNS and measurements of their use continue to vary, leading to conflicting results. To improve understanding of the relationship between narcissism and SNS use, as well as the implications of differences in definition and measurement, we examine two ways of measuring Facebook and Twitter ...