Relating Social Media Diffusion, Education Level and Cybersecurity Protection Mechanisms to E-Participation Initiatives: Insights from a Cross-Country Analysis

2023 | Information Systems Frontiers | Citations: 0

Authors: Ahangama, Supunmali

Abstract: Virtual Social Networks (VSN) act as a catalyst for the success of the active pa ... Expand

Abstract: Virtual Social Networks (VSN) act as a catalyst for the success of the active participation of citizens in information sharing, collaboration, and decision making. VSN based e-participation tools allow many-to-many communication and collaboration near real-time with users who might be in geographically dispersed locations. It provides a platform to voice opinions and perspectives and share them with others in new and innovative ways. Cybersecurity is a key area that needs to be considered for the success and continuous use of e-participation systems as it protects user privacy and helps to avoid scams, harassment, and misinformation. The intervening effect of cybersecurity protection mechanisms and citizens’ education level on the relationship between VSN diffusion and e-participation initiatives is explored in the proposed research model presented in this paper. Moreover, this research model is explored for different stages of e-participation (e-information, e-consultation, and e-decision making) and the five dimensions of cybersecurity (legal, technical, organizational, capacity building, and cooperation). The findings indicate that improved VSN usage has increased e-participation (especially in e-consultation and e-decision making) as a result of improved cybersecurity protection and public education, highlighting the varying importance of different cybersecurity protection measures for three stages of e-participation. Thus, considering the recent problems like platform manipulation, misinformation and data breaches associated with the use of VSN for e-participation, this study emphasizes the importance of regulations, policies, partnerships, technical frameworks, and research to ensure cybersecurity, as well as the importance of education to enable the public to interact productively in e-participation activities. This study is performed using publicly available data from 115 countries and the research model is developed, drawing theoretical basis from the Protection Motivation Theory, Structuration Theory, and Endogenous Growth Theory. This paper recognizes the theoretical and practical implications, and limitations while recommending future research directions. Collapse

Topics: IT security decision making human resource management social network government system

Methods: survey partial least squares path modeling cross sectional research mediation analysis archival research

Theories: protection motivation theory structuration theory

sPAN-pROP: Combatting Contextualized Social Media State-Linked Propaganda in the Middle East

2023 | Americas Conference on Information Systems | Citations: 0

Authors: Aleroud, Ahmed; Melhem, Abdullah Bani; Alhussien, Nour; Albert, Craig

Abstract: Social Cyber-attacks such as propaganda, conspiracy theories, anger, and hate d ... Expand

Abstract: Social Cyber-attacks such as propaganda, conspiracy theories, anger, and hate discourse are very old phenomena that inflict harm to humans, organizations, national security, public officials, democratization efforts, careers, and policies. There have been significant efforts to identify anti-US speech on social media which includes propaganda. Such efforts largely ignore the attempts by other countries to manipulate social media in some regions including the Middle East. Research in this area is computational and solely focuses on fine tuning language models to detect general propaganda attacks. This paper addresses a new category of propaganda attacks that are tied to state-linked accounts that spread anti-US propaganda by taking advantages of specific geo-political crises in the Middle East. We investigated the role of general language models and training data to detect those forms of propaganda. Our study concludes that existing propaganda training data is unable to successfully detect targeted propaganda. We propose a contextualized span detection approach to identify these types of propaganda and show that our targeted training models work significantly better compared to the existing general propaganda detection approaches. Collapse

Topics: Twitter IT security threat social media armed conflict misinformation

Methods: language model experiment deep learning PyTorch literature study

A Design Research Journey

2023 | Communications of the Association for Information Systems | Citations: 2

Authors: Gregor, Shirley

Abstract: ... Expand

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Topics: expert system mainframe

Methods: design science action design research theory development qualitative coding action research

Reinforcing data bias in crisis information management: The case of the Yemen humanitarian response

2023 | International Journal of Information Management | Citations: 0

Authors: Paulus, David; De Vries, Gerdien; Janssen, Marijn; Van De Walle, Bartel

Abstract: The complex and uncertain environment of the humanitarian response to crises can ... Expand

Abstract: The complex and uncertain environment of the humanitarian response to crises can lead to data bias, which can affect decision-making. Evidence of data bias in crisis information management (CIM) remains scattered despite its potentially significant impact on crisis response. To understand what biases emerge in complex crises and how they affect CIM, we conducted a combined interview and document analysis study. Focusing on the largest humanitarian crisis in the world, i.e., the conflict in Yemen, we conducted 25 interviews with managers and analysts of response organizations, and assessed 47 reports and datasets created by response organizations in Yemen. We find evidence of a cycle of bias reinforcement through which bias cascades between field, head­ quarters and donor levels of crisis response. Researchers, as well as practitioners, need to consider these un­ derlying biases and reinforcement loops because they influence what data can be collected when, by whom, from whom, and how the data is shared and used. To the CIM literature, we contribute an in-depth understanding of how four types of data bias emerge in crises: political, accessibility, topical, and sampling bias. Collapse

Topics: information management data quality electronic mail emergency management decision making

Methods: qualitative interview qualitative content analysis qualitative coding case study personal interview

Algorithmic Processes of Social Alertness and Social Transmission: How Bots Disseminate Information on Twitter

2022 | Management Information Systems Quarterly | Citations: 0

Authors: Alves de Lima Salge, Carolina; Karahanna, Elena; Thatcher, Jason

Abstract: Despite increased empirical attention, theory on bots and how they act to dissem ... Expand

Abstract: Despite increased empirical attention, theory on bots and how they act to disseminate information on social media remains poorly understood. Our study leverages the conduit brokerage perspective and the findings of a multiple case study to develop a novel framework of algorithmic conduit brokerage for understanding information dissemination by bots and the design choices that may influence their actions. Algorithmic conduit brokerage encompasses two intertwined processes. The first process, algorithmic social alertness, relies on bot activity to curate and reconfigure information. Algorithmic social alertness is significant because it involves action triggers that dictate the kinds of information being searched, discovered, and retrieved by bots. The second process, algorithmic social transmission, relies on bot activity to embellish and distribute the information curated. Algorithmic social transmission is important because it can broaden the reach of information disseminated by bots through increased discoverability and directed targeting. The two algorithmic conduit brokerage processes we offer are unique to bots and distinct from the original conceptualization of conduit brokerage, which is rooted in human activity. First, since bots lack the human ability of sensemaking and are instead fueled by automation and action triggers rather than by emotions, algorithmic conduit brokerage is more invariant and reliable than human conduit brokerage. Second, automation increases the speed and scale of information curation and transfer, making algorithmic conduit brokerage not only more consistent but also faster and more extensive. Third, algorithmic conduit brokerage includes a set of new concepts (e.g., action triggers and rapid scaling) that are specific to bots and therefore not applicable to human conduit brokerage. Collapse

Topics: Twitter boundary spanning social media website social network

Methods: multiple case study computational algorithm case study theory development machine learning

We Cannot Direct the Wind, but We Can Adjust the Sails: Prosocial Ventures’ Responses to Potential Resource Threats

2022 | Organization Science | Citations: 0

Authors: Mittermaier, Alexandra; Shepherd, Dean A.; Patzelt, Holger

Abstract: One of entrepreneurs’ key tasks is mobilizing resources from external resource h ... Expand

Abstract: One of entrepreneurs’ key tasks is mobilizing resources from external resource holders. Although we know how entrepreneurial ventures gain initial access to resources, we do not yet fully understand how they maintain their resource mobilization, particularly in the face of potential threats. During our 11-month study of prosocial ventures that emerged to alleviate the suffering of refugees in Germany, four attacks on the European public occurred that were allegedly committed by refugees. These attacks disrupted the German welcoming culture for refugees, potentially threatening the legitimacy of the prosocial ventures’ core activities. Thus, the attacks provide a starting point for examining how new prosocial ventures are able to maintain access to resources in the face of the potential withdrawal of resource holders. Theorizing from our data, we identify three distinct approaches to explain how prosocial ventures responded to the potential threat undermining the legitimacy of their activities to maintain access to resources. These approaches differ in their initial resource mobilization (i.e., based on the venture’s goal for alleviating suffering), threat appraisals, and responses to maintain resource mobilization in the face of the potential delegitimization of their core activities. Our model provides novel insights into resource mobilization and prosocial venturing. Collapse

Topics: social media terrorist incident website electronic mail database system

Methods: qualitative interview field study theory development qualitative coding longitudinal research

The Impact of Digitizing Social Networks on Refugee Decision Making – The Journey to Germany

2021 | International Conference on Business Informatics | Citations: 0

Authors: AbuJarour, Safa'a; Jaghjougha, Lama; AbuJarour, Mohammed

Abstract: The high reliance of refugees on digital tools has been the motor of digitizatio ... Expand

Abstract: The high reliance of refugees on digital tools has been the motor of digitization, which includes not only mobile applications, but also digitization of human aspects, namely, social capital (networks). Refugees tend to rely on their social capital (networks) to make well-informed decisions, especially related to the migration journey. An ideal supporting tool here has been Social Networking Sites (SNS). To investigate this topic, we have followed a qualitative approach and conducted 15 interviews with Syrian refugees in Germany. The analysis of our interviews has revealed four typical streams of utilizing social networks through SNS in the context of migration: (1) information gathering, (2) service consumption, (3) understanding the relevant procedures and systems, and (4) content creation and service provisioning. Our goal is to discuss the impact of digitized social networks on refugees aiming at maximizing the benefits, e.g., information gathering, and avoiding the risks, e.g., frauds. Collapse

Topics: social network Facebook decision making internet technology smartphone

Methods: qualitative interview literature study personal interview

Technology as a Source of Power: Exploring How ICT Use Contributes to the Social Inclusion of Refugees in Germany

2021 | HICSS | Citations: 4

Authors: Abujarour, Safa'A; Köster, Antonia; Krasnova, Hanna; Wiesche, Manuel

Abstract: Since the beginning of the recent global refugee crisis, researchers have been t ... Expand

Abstract: Since the beginning of the recent global refugee crisis, researchers have been tackling many of its associated aspects, investigating how we can help to alleviate this crisis, in particular, using ICTs capabilities. In our research, we investigated the use of ICT solutions by refugees to foster the social inclusion process in the host community. To tackle this topic, we conducted thirteen interviews with Syrian refugees in Germany. Our findings reveal different ICT usages by refugees and how these contribute to feeling empowered. Moreover, we show the sources of empowerment for refugees that are gained by ICT use. Finally, we identified the two types of social inclusion benefits that were derived from empowerment sources. Our results provide practical implications to different stakeholders and decision-makers on how ICT usage can empower refugees, which can foster the social inclusion of refugees, and what should be considered to support them in their integration effort. Collapse

Topics: smartphone information system use self efficacy social media internet technology

Methods: qualitative interview literature study personal interview grounded theory qualitative coding

WHAT’S IN A NAME: EXAMINING DISCRIMINATION ON SHARING PLATFORMS AND ITS POSSIBLE REMEDIES

2020 | European Conference On Information Systems | Citations: 0

Authors: Abramova, Olga

Abstract: ... Expand

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Topics: ride sharing platform sharing platform mobile application willingness to pay pseudonymity

Methods: simulation experiment survey discrete choice experiment factorial experiment

Theories: economic theory

Power Distribution in the Networks of Terrorist Groups: 2001–2018

2020 | Group Decision and Negotiation | Citations: 0

Authors: Aleskerov, Fuad; Gavrilenkova, Irina; Shvydun, Sergey; Yakuba, Vyacheslav

Abstract: Since 9/11, terrorism has become a global issue of the twenty-first century. Ter ... Expand

Abstract: Since 9/11, terrorism has become a global issue of the twenty-first century. Terrorist organizations become important actors of world politics as they gain influence on political process and decision-making. Some organizations compete with each other in order to gain more power and influence. We study the distribution of power among terrorist groups using network approach and applying classic and new centrality indices (Short-Range (SRIC) and Long-Range interactions indices (LRIC)). These indices allow to identify terrorist groups with direct and indirect influence on the terrorist network. Collapse

Topics: terrorist incident database system individual characteristic armed conflict