The evolving interactivity of online news : an exploratory study using content analysis, Q-methodology and activity theory

The findings of the research described in this thesis add to our understanding of the dynamic of change in the contemporary phenomenon of online news. The research adopts an interpretivist perspective, which brings together a suitable mix of methodologies and theoretical concepts. The study focuses on the adoption of interactive features by Australian newspapers websites as well as in the identification of different user profiles through their perception and opinions on the constant changes in online news. Thus, the research has significant contributions to theory and also has lessons for practice. The research undertook four sets of data collections as follows: Phase 1 – a web-based content analysis of twelve Australian online newspapers (2006-2007); Phase 2 – an initial Q-study of Australian online news consumers (2007); Phase 3 – a second Q-study of Australian and Malaysian online news consumers (2008); and Phase 4 – the revisiting of the newspaper websites of Phase 1 of the web-based content analysis (2009). The news websites study employed a longitudinal approach, which enabled the researcher to understand the shift of focus on interaction between readers and the news as well as the changes over time of the general online news environment. An additional Phase was then added to the research after the main data collection was completed. This took a critical look at current innovations in online news to suggest its possible future as the distinction between producers and consumers of news are becoming blurred through the use of social media on the Internet. The research demonstrated the revolution and evolution of online news, which impacted not only the business model of news industries, but also the working environment of the journalist’s professions, and the involvement of the public news consumers in general. This research is of significance to both, academics and the practitioners. In terms of scholarly significance, the study is important theoretically and methodologically. The dimensions of the concept of Interactivity underpin the study of the dynamic aspects of content and layout of online news. Activity Theory was found to be useful for analysing in a more general and holistic way, people’s views and motives when engaged in activities of accessing online news. By using a mixed-method approach to data analysis involving both the content analysis of websites and the Q-Methodology technique, the research covered both, the objective and subjective aspects of the online news. Although Q-Methodology is relatively new to the online news literature, it was found to be a valuable method for indentifying categories of people’s views on the constant changes in online news. The Interactivity concept and Activity Theory are two strong theoretical pillars that complement each other in creating a descriptive picture of the content, nature and use of the news websites. Together, they provide a useful mechanism to aid the research in understanding the link between the web elements and the web users’ needs and activities in the news industry. The main contribution of the thesis is that it provides evidence that demonstrates the changing nature of online news content layout and features with greatly increased interaction and participation by consumers while also showing how different groups of people perceive and act with the constant changes in online news. The different activities of these groups are identified in terms of how they engage with the Interactivity dimensions of the websites and how different features of the websites should be designed to mediate the different activities of users. This thesis presents a rich picture of the recent substantiation growth of the interactive nature of online news with the variety of patterns of exchanges and the ways it now meets current informational and social needs and desires. As such, the Internet will continue to be engaged as a potentially powerful and persuasive tool in the future of the online news industry in ways that we cannot now anticipate

Revisiting the effect of mobile advertising content on buying intention / Nor Hazlina Hashim, Normalini Md Kassim and Roshni Ann George

The digital era is known for technological breakthroughs in knowledge exchange through portable computing devices that include android and iOS smart phones. These gadgets, which have become a necessity for many, offer numerous advertising opportunities for companies to reach a wide pool of potential customers. Mobile advertising holds the best promise for one-to-one communication and provides avenues for direct and personalised marketing. Previous studies on consumer attitudes towards mobile advertising have generated conflicting results. This paper conceptualizes the effect of mobile advertising content on buying intention in a framework derived from past models and theories of technology acceptance. In light of the high purchase intentions of the younger generation in Malaysia, antecedents previously used in predicting the behavioural response of consumers towards mobile advertising and purchase intention were reexamined and combined with the personalization factor. Additionally, subjective norms and perceived behavioural control are proposed to have considerable impact on the purchase intentions of consumers in Malaysia. It is hoped that the proposed framework will lead to further clarity about the importance of mobile advertising content on behavioural response and therefore benefit the marketing efforts of companies by providing valuable insights on factors that influence the buying intentions of Malaysian consumers

Strategi Komunikasi Untuk Pembangunan Lestari : Forum Csr, Indonesia: Sebuah Kajian Persuratan

Pembangunan lestari adalah persoalan kompleks yang memerlukan sebuah kerjasama yang kuat antara syarikat kerajaan dan masyarakat dalam aktiviti perkongsian sosial. Forum CSR Daerah merupakan organisasi yang melaksanakan koordinasi program CSR dan program pembangunan yang berorientasikan pembangunan lestari. Namun terdapat jurang pengetahuan yang besar mengenai isu-isu kelestarian berdasarkan persepsi pengurus 'perniagaan bagi kes kelestarian demikian juga bagi pihak kerajaan. Sehingga dalam mencerminkan kekompleksan pembangunan lestari dipengaruhi oleh tekanan yang diterima, pengalaman dan pelbagai budaya yang berbeza. Tulisan ini menghuraikan proses komunikasi dalam aktiviti perkongsian sosial antara syarikat, kerajaan dan masyarakat di Forum CSR, Indonesia untuk mengupas permasalahannya. Oleh kerana itu tulisan ini bertujuan mendeskripsikan 1) konseptualisasi komunikasi penyertaan dalam perkembangan komunikasi di era modern 2) cuba membangunkan strategi komunikasi dalam membina perkongsian trisektor dan menjadikan pembangunan lestari mudah didekati dan difahami. Berdasarkan tinjauan literature menegaskan bahawa komunikasi dan dialog berketerusan menyumbang kepada kejayaan perkongsian tiga sektor pemegang taruh. Sehingga untuk mencipta visi bersama dan strategi bersama dalam menyelesaikan kebimbangan dari isu-isu yang melampaui skop pihak tertentu iaitu mengedapankan prinsip saling pengertian yang merupakan tujuan dari komunikasi penyertaan. Pada akhir tulisan ini, penyelidik berharap untuk membangunkan strategi komunikasi serta mencadangkan komunikasi bermedia untuk menunjang dalam menyampaikan mesej yang tepat melalui beberapa platform yang tersedia oleh seluruh ahli Forum CSR Jawa Barat dalam proses penyertaan untuk mewujudkan pembangunan lestari di Indonesia

Analisis Corak Aliran Komunikasi Dalaman Organisasi. Kajian Kes Operator Pelabuhan

Kajian ini dijalankan untuk mengetahui corak aliran komunikasi dalaman organisasi yang dipraktikkan di Penang Port Sdn Bhd (PPSB). Objektif kajian ialah untuk mengenal pasti corak aliran komunikasi dalaman organisasi yang dipraktikkan oleh Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif dan pihak pengurusan atasan dengan pekerja PPSB dan mengetahui persepsi pekerja mengenai pengaruh peribadi Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif dan pihak pengurusan atasan dalam komunikasi dalaman organisasi PPSB. Seterusnya untuk menganalisis bagaimana komunikasi dalaman dapat membina reputasi positif syarikat di kalangan pekerja PPSB. Kaedah kajian adalah melalui tinjauan temubual secara mendalam. Responden kajian terdiri daripada sepuluh (10) orang pekerja yang mewakili pelbagai peringkat iaitu pengurus, eksekutif dan sokongan. Hasil kajian mendapati, terdapat ketidak seimbangan dalam aliran corak komunikasi dalaman di PPSB, majoriti pekerja menerima maklumat secara mendatar. Kesan hubungan pengaruh peribadi memberi impak dalam menentukan corak komunikasi dalaman di PPSB, walau pun pekerja jarang berinteraksi dan berjumpa dengan Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif dan pengurusan atasan. Walaupun emel di anggap saluran komunikasi yang efektif, pilihan utama pekerja adalah komunikasi secara bersemuka kerana ia memberi kepuasan kepada pekerja untuk mendapatkan maklumat yang dikehendaki. Komunikasi dalaman yang efektif di antara pihak pengurusan atasan dengan pekerja dapat membina reputasi positif di kalangan pekerja kerana majoriti pekerja mengakui dengan berinteraksi dengan pihak pengurusan atasan dapat membantu pekerja menjadi jurucakap kepada syarikat

Pembinaan metriks ekuiti jenama Universiti

Pembinaan metriks ekuiti jenama bagi universiti adalah penting kerana sehingga kini masih tiada metriks khusus bagi mengukur ekuiti jenama yang dimiliki oleh sesebuah universiti. Metriks ekuiti jenama untuk mengukur ekuiti jenama produk serta perkhidmatan didapati tidak menepati keperluan pengukuran ekuiti jenama universiti. Maka, kajian ini dibuat untuk mengenalpasti dimensi-dimensi metriks yang penting dalam mengukur ekuiti jenama universiti. Dalam membina metriks ekuiti jenama universiti ini, metriks pengukuran produk dan perkhidmatan berdasarkan kajian lepas telah diubahsuai untuk memenuhi keperluan pengukuran ekuiti jenama universiti. Analisis faktor terhadap 27 dimensi dari kajian lepas telah menghasilkan 12 dimensi dalam pengukuran ekuiti jenama universiti yang penting dan harus dititikberatkan oleh sesebuah universiti dalam membangunkan ekuiti jenama mereka. Antaranya adalah kualiti, kepercayaan, penerimaan dan warisan. Kajian ini juga telah menemui dimensi kepimpinan sebagai satu dimensi penting dalam mengukur ekuiti jenama universiti

Factors affecting the adoption of e-wallets to enter cashless society: An integration approach

The Malaysian government actively encourages the development of e-wallets in Malaysia and set a goal to enter a cashless society by 2050. However, the mobile technology that has swept the world does not seem to be developing smoothly in Malaysia. The objective of the study is to investigate the determinants that impact the user behavior of Malaysians in adopting e-wallets and proposes integration theoretical models, namely UTAUT 2, Diffusion of Innovation, and self-efficacy to support the study. Data were collected among 253 Malaysian e-wallet users in the Federal State of Kuala Lumpur. The survey (online questionnaire) was distributed to respondents via QR codes and links as data collection. The PLS-SEM was utilized to test hypothetical relationships. The findings of the study demonstrated that compatibility, hedonic motivation, habits, and self-efficacy have a significant relationship with the user behavior of e-wallets. Self-efficacy was found to be the strongest predictor in influencing the use behavior of e-wallets. Conclusion, implications, and suggestions for future study were also discussed

Exploring New Patterns Of Interaction During Conflict Among Married Individuals In Malaysia

This study examines the patterns of interaction during conflict among married individuals in Malaysia. Sixty married individuals in Malaysia responded to an openended questionnaire about how they interact with their spouse during conflict situation. Result showed the existence of constructive, destructive and avoidance patterns of interaction during conflict which reflect similarity with conflict interaction in western society. These three patterns are viewed to be more specific and in accordance to the context of Malaysian societ

Technique for Determining the Viability of Acanthamoeba Cysts Treated with a Cysticidal Agent Based on Membrane Integrity

This study presents a straightforward and reliable method for determining the viability of Acanthamoeba cysts. A standard method for determining Acanthamoeba cyst viability in an in vitro cytotoxicity analysis is required to ensure that the double-walled and sturdy cysts are affected by the substance tested. In this study, a new approach was used to determine the cysticidal potential of redox Cleland’s reagent, dithiothreitol (DTT), against Acanthamoeba cysts. This approach constitutes a significant breakthrough, as the cyst form of Acanthamoeba is known for its high resistance to various chemicals and drugs used to treat infections of the central nervous system and eyes caused by Acanthamoeba. Cyst viability was evaluated based on the intensity of the cyst population under fluorescence produced by propidium iodide (PI) dye and measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) reader at an absorbance of 636 nm. The results were validated using high-content screening (HCS). For analysis, an individual cell was imaged and examined for phenotypic changes in the Acanthamoeba cyst at the cyst population level. Fluorescence intensity of the cysts in each well in a 96-well plate was measured using Image J software. HCS is an automated technique that uses fluorescence microscopy to produce quantitative data

Mortality from gastrointestinal congenital anomalies at 264 hospitals in 74 low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries: a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study

Summary Background Congenital anomalies are the fifth leading cause of mortality in children younger than 5 years globally. Many gastrointestinal congenital anomalies are fatal without timely access to neonatal surgical care, but few studies have been done on these conditions in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). We compared outcomes of the seven most common gastrointestinal congenital anomalies in low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries globally, and identified factors associated with mortality. Methods We did a multicentre, international prospective cohort study of patients younger than 16 years, presenting to hospital for the first time with oesophageal atresia, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, intestinal atresia, gastroschisis, exomphalos, anorectal malformation, and Hirschsprung’s disease. Recruitment was of consecutive patients for a minimum of 1 month between October, 2018, and April, 2019. We collected data on patient demographics, clinical status, interventions, and outcomes using the REDCap platform. Patients were followed up for 30 days after primary intervention, or 30 days after admission if they did not receive an intervention. The primary outcome was all-cause, in-hospital mortality for all conditions combined and each condition individually, stratified by country income status. We did a complete case analysis. Findings We included 3849 patients with 3975 study conditions (560 with oesophageal atresia, 448 with congenital diaphragmatic hernia, 681 with intestinal atresia, 453 with gastroschisis, 325 with exomphalos, 991 with anorectal malformation, and 517 with Hirschsprung’s disease) from 264 hospitals (89 in high-income countries, 166 in middleincome countries, and nine in low-income countries) in 74 countries. Of the 3849 patients, 2231 (58·0%) were male. Median gestational age at birth was 38 weeks (IQR 36–39) and median bodyweight at presentation was 2·8 kg (2·3–3·3). Mortality among all patients was 37 (39·8%) of 93 in low-income countries, 583 (20·4%) of 2860 in middle-income countries, and 50 (5·6%) of 896 in high-income countries (p<0·0001 between all country income groups). Gastroschisis had the greatest difference in mortality between country income strata (nine [90·0%] of ten in lowincome countries, 97 [31·9%] of 304 in middle-income countries, and two [1·4%] of 139 in high-income countries; p≤0·0001 between all country income groups). Factors significantly associated with higher mortality for all patients combined included country income status (low-income vs high-income countries, risk ratio 2·78 [95% CI 1·88–4·11], p<0·0001; middle-income vs high-income countries, 2·11 [1·59–2·79], p<0·0001), sepsis at presentation (1·20 [1·04–1·40], p=0·016), higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score at primary intervention (ASA 4–5 vs ASA 1–2, 1·82 [1·40–2·35], p<0·0001; ASA 3 vs ASA 1–2, 1·58, [1·30–1·92], p<0·0001]), surgical safety checklist not used (1·39 [1·02–1·90], p=0·035), and ventilation or parenteral nutrition unavailable when needed (ventilation 1·96, [1·41–2·71], p=0·0001; parenteral nutrition 1·35, [1·05–1·74], p=0·018). Administration of parenteral nutrition (0·61, [0·47–0·79], p=0·0002) and use of a peripherally inserted central catheter (0·65 [0·50–0·86], p=0·0024) or percutaneous central line (0·69 [0·48–1·00], p=0·049) were associated with lower mortality. Interpretation Unacceptable differences in mortality exist for gastrointestinal congenital anomalies between lowincome, middle-income, and high-income countries. Improving access to quality neonatal surgical care in LMICs will be vital to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3.2 of ending preventable deaths in neonates and children younger than 5 years by 2030