Gender and Cybersecurity: Consumer Awareness, Experience and Trust

In light of the growing epidemic of cyberattacks, it is important to understand how different groups within the general population connect information with attitudes and behaviors. Internet transactions become less of an option and more of a requirement for consumers and the workforce. This study explored the connection between awareness, experience, and trust with the goal of identifying communication strategies that will ultimately steer consumers toward healthy cyberbehaviors. Consumer trust in government and business organizations is the desired status quo for everyone. Awareness and experience are important modifying factors and both are addressable through strategic consumer communication campaigns. Understanding the different ways men and women think, feel, and act around key issues in cybersecurity is key to organizational success. Furthermore, investing in promotion of educated trust can help organizations avoid massive loyalty shifts if or when the next data breach occurs

Agglomeration and economic growth. A New Economic Geography approach for Romania’s counties

In the last 25 years and especially in the last 10 years Romania registered an important economic growth rate. Nevertheless, the level of economic development is not the same across the country and, as many other states, Romania has a heterogeneous territory with different economic, social and geographical characteristics and therefore with great disparities among regions and among counties. In this respect, build on the New Economic Geography approach, this paper aims to explain the inequalities starting from the location, distribution and spatial organization of economic activities. Based on the endogenous growth theory and using panel data models in order to determine the role of both agglomeration economies and positive externalities on regional development, our research focuses on Romania’s 41 counties plus Bucharest, analysing data from 2005 to 2012. The results show a certain positive impact for foreign direct investments, research and development, innovation, education and market potential. However, all this factors are statistically significant only in the long run, given the fact that in the short run it is very difficult to observe and measure their impact on economic growth. By the same vein, even if a different result was expected, in some models, public infrastructure and employment rate seem to have a negative role on regional development in Romania

Consumer Perceptions of Podcast Advertising: Theater of the Mind and Story Selling

COVID-19 has changed the ways in which people manage education, work, and entertainment. This study sought to identify the types of attitudes and behaviors which promote mutually rewarding connections between podcasts, audiences, and advertisers. Survey results underlined the utmost importance for the podcast advertising industry to connect and engage listeners, in order for the overall billion-dollar ad buys to have the desired effect. About two-thirds of the participants listen to 6 or more shows during an average week and prefer live-narrated ads where podcast hosts banter and tell convincing stories about their experiences with advertised products. Key findings indicate that (1) consumers dislike and easily bypass dynamically inserted segments of pre-recorded ads; (2) post-pandemic listening is likely to be more fragmented; and (3) listeners would appreciate a diversification of call-to-action in podcast ads. Podcast listeners would like to support brands and ideas by contributing in ways that go beyond purchasing

Flirting Online and the Connection between the Use of Dating Websites and Dating Applications

For this research, we used data collected by the Pew Foundation\u27s Internet and American Life Project Tracking Survey, conducted in Spring 2013. The data was adjusted through the use of sampling weights to estimate for general population parameters. The collected data examined online flirting, use of dating websites, and the use of dating apps. Findings suggest women between the ages of 18-34 years are just as likely as men to signal their romantic interest by engaging in online flirtation. In addition, women ages 50 years or older are less likely than men to signal their romantic interest by engaging in online flirtation. Also, adults ages 50 years or more who flirt online are more likely to use an online dating website or app. Findings concerning Generation X are also discussed. Marketing implications include a concentration on “flirting-focused” options, especially in relation to free trials, promotional offers, and marketing tactics for digital dating services. Strategies for appealing to the Baby Boomer market may involve a focus on active lifestyles and geographic marketing. Marketing to Millennials may need to be increasingly strategic given the equal amount of online flirting among males on females

Bridging the Gap Between Public Opinion Research and Consumer Marketing Research: Insights into U.S. Shoppers of Organic Foods

The primary goal of this study embraces Hughner and team’s (2007) directive to focus new research on the growing segment of occasional consumers of organic and natural foods, rather than limit the search for consumer insights to the small, elitist groups of deeply committed consumers. Research questions address the demographics, attitudinal, and behavioral characteristics that identify organic foods as a premium product. Primary recommendations for marketing practitioners include focusing on higher income consumers, especially married individuals, who live in highly populated areas; creating a pleasant shopping experience; promoting non-food related organic items, and investing in brand presence and salience

Techy, Classy, and Social: Electric Vehicles and Brand Communication on Twitter

This study explored brand communication and audience engagement metrics for automakers selling electrified vehicle models in the U.S. The dataset included all Twitter communication from 27 major brand accounts during a one-year period (July 2018 through June 2019). Data analysis focused on communication volume, explicit saturation, and discourse clustering around key themes and variables. The study found abysmal amounts of EV-category explicit terminology for all brands, particularly so for U.S. accounts. Audience engagement was stronger for brands that pulled EVs into the lifestyle of their targets, than for brands pushing normative messages about environmental concerns

Use of Online Dating Websites and Dating Apps: Findings and Implications for LGB Populations

Data and findings from the Pew Foundation's "Internet and American Life Project Tracking Survey” (2013) were adjusted through the use of sampling weights to estimate for general US population parameters. Univariate and multivariate analysis indicate that lesbian, gay, and bisexual adults are significantly more likely to flirt online and to use online dating websites and dating apps than heterosexual adults. Findings enhance understanding of LGB consumer decision-making processes, promote creation of LGB lifestyle-focused technologies and promotional messages for non-heterosexual niche audiences, and contribute to a better understanding of LGB online dating habits and usag

How often do medical students change career preferences over the course of medical school?

INTRODUCTION: During the preclinical years, students typically do not have extensive exposure to clinical medicine. When they begin their clinical rotations, usually in the third year, the majority of the time is spent on core rotations with limited experience in other fields of medicine. Students then must decide on their careers early in their fourth year. We aimed to analyze how often medical students change their career preferences between the end of their second and their fourth year. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective, cohort study using the American Association of Medical Colleges Year 2 Questionnaire (Y2Q) and Graduating Questionnaire (GQ) from 2016 to 2020. RESULTS: 20,408 students answered both surveys, but 2,165 had missing values on the career choice question and were excluded. Of the remaining students, 10,233 (56%) changed their career choice between the Y2 and GQ surveys. Fields into which students preferentially switched by the GQ survey included anesthesia, dermatology, ENT, family medicine, OB/GYN, pathology, PM&R, psychiatry, radiology, urology, and vascular surgery. Many characteristics, including future salary, the competitiveness of the field, and the importance of work-life balance, were significantly associated with a higher likelihood of changing career choices. On the other hand, having a mentor and the specialty content were associated with a lower likelihood of change. CONCLUSION: A majority of students switched their career preferences from the Y2Q to the GQ. Additional research should be focused on curricular design that optimizes student satisfaction with career decisions. This may include early integration of a variety of specialties

Monitoring of Buituri Slag Dump, Hunedoara County in Relation with Environmental Protection

Detailed analysis of appearance and relief evolution in mining areas cannot be done without mining engineering concepts. Over time, researchers around the world have responsibly been involved in this matter necessary for the development of society, also with obvious implications and repercussions over the quality of life. The purpose of the scientific research detailed in this paper comprises in monitoring the slag dump from Buituri, Hunedoara County using space geodetic technology. Slag dump is the result of steel production activities carried out under the steel factory Arcelor Mittal Hunedoara S.A., formerly known as the steel factory Hunedoara - Siderurgica S.A. Therefore it was decided to conduct monthly topographic measurements to monitor possible dynamic changes that may appear in the context of continuous exploitation of the above mentioned slag dump. Monitoring possible movements is performed by comparing transversal and longitudinal profiles drawn based on zero measurement carried out on 20.05.2011, with the ones obtained after processing of the monthly measurements realized throughout the years 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016. Also, for observing the displacements, comparative charts or tables with records regarding coordinates differences are studied. The issue of measuring and graphic representation of settlements, horizontal linear movements and landslides for structures such as slag or sterile dumps, requires further studies and interdisciplinary research, creating links between specialists in the fields of terrestrial measurements science and geology