THE IMPACT OF DIGITALIZATION ON LITERACY: DIGITAL IMMIGRANTS VS. DIGITAL NATIVES

Considering the speed at which new digital technologies are evolving, this paper aims to investigate the impact of digital transformation on multiple dimensions of literacy. An empirical research using antecedent factors of adoption is conducted to investigate the relationships between factors influencing digital immigrants’ and digital natives’ intentions to use digital technology. Using survey data on 177 digital immigrants and 183 digital natives, structural equation modelling (SEM) and a novel configurational thinking method—fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA)—are applied. The results, while showing some similarities, reveal that digital immigrants and digital natives utilize digital technologies differently and their intentions to use are influenced by different factors. For instance, for digital natives, information literacy has no significant effect on intention to use, while this path is significant for digital immigrants. Moreover, fsQCA results, while supporting the SEM findings, show that there are multiple configurations of conditions leading to the outcome of interest—intention to use digital technology

Mixed Emotions in Active Social Media Use - Fun and Convenient or Shameful and Embarrassing?

This paper discusses self-perceived observations of social media use among undergraduate students. 132 media diaries are analyzed in order to identify media usage patterns and profiles. The purpose was to go beyond a typical snapshot acquired from a cross-sectional survey design. The students were asked to report in detail of their media use and to reflect on their behavior. The diaries have been analyzed using NVivo with the focus on the explication of the students’ own reflections on their media and social media consumption. Results show four different media consumption profiles. Most of the students were active social media users. An interesting finding is that 17 % of the students experience their social media behavior as problematic and their reflections revealed strong negative emotions. The perception of negative behavior is expressed as a feeling of shame, guilt, and embarrassment.ye

Is the internet changing the dominant logic of marketing?

The marketplace has rapidly moved into the marketspace. Many companies are rushing to be present without a comprehensive strategy or without a real idea of what can or cannot be done. One of the reasons is that a paradigm shift in marketing and information technology is taking place. Moreover, the concept of a product is becoming information-based, distribution is no longer necessarily physical. Understanding the true meaning of market orientation or customer orientation becomes a key to success. We will study the changes in the meaning of two basic concepts: marketing and the product, which we view as the dominant logic of marketing. We will examine two existing models for understanding the product on the Web. Finally, we will exemplify our arguments with a product, Yritystele, which is a business-to business catalogue, that is now available as a CD-ROM (Yritystele PLUS), and on the Internet (www.yritystele.fi).

DO THEY SEE WHAT WE SEE?: A CRITICAL NORDIC TALE ABOUT PERCEPTIONS OF ENTREPRENEURIAL OPPORTUNITIES, GOALS AND GROWTH

This paper serves as an overview of a decade of the authors' theoretical reviews, participant observations, empirical studies, quasi-experimental research, qualitative interviews, personal consulting, firm incubation, and action research with firms, clusters, and regional groups in both the information technology and biotechnology sectors in Finland. Interpretations of our findings are told using a narrative format, based on Nordic mythology. This story-telling approach is used to express the perceptions of entrepreneurship by various players in society. It discusses what happens when public policies are based on perceptions very different from, and in potential conflict, with those of the would-be entrepreneur. The paper addresses the current and very real problem in many Nordic countries where enormous efforts are invested in pushing technology creation assuming at the simultaneous creation of entrepreneurial high growth firms. Results show extremely low entrepreneurial activity and declining interest towards entrepreneurship as a career alternative. For those firms that do emerge growth does not seem to be the primary goal. The conclusions are discussed in terms of the long term prognosis for developing an entrepreneurial society in economically advanced nations to take advantage of the technological developments supported by governmental research funding.Opportunity recognition, perception, entrepreneurial behaviour, entrepreneurial policy, innovation, growth