The Usage and Online Behavior of Social Networking Sites among International Students in New Zealand
Abstract
This study examines SNS use by international students located in Auckland, New Zealand. The frequency of SNS usage and behaviour of international students, who are away from their home countries, is different from the general youth of the host country. The study used a questionnaire that revealed the most popular SNS were Facebook, Google+, Twitter, MySpace, and Linkedin. The new addition to this commonly cited list is QQ, a Chinese SNS, which is extremely popular among students from China. The results also show support for reasons for SNS usage namely personal, entertainment, commercial, and academic. Unlike in other studies, female students are found to be quite proactive in sharing personal information. Finally, the study discusses implications of these results for managers and students, and offers a set of recommendations for further research.
References
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Viralblog (n/a), www.viralblog.com. Retrieved November 26, 2012.
Akar, E., & Topcu, B. (2011). An examination of the factors influencing consumers’ attitudes toward social media marketing. Journal of Internet Commerce, 10, 35–67.
Ajagbe, A.M., Eluwa, S.E., Duncan, E.E., Mkomange, C.W., & Lasisi, A.N. (2011). The implications of social networking sites in education in Nigeria. Interdisciplinary Journal of Contemporary Research in Business, 3(7), 93-101.
Benson, V., Filippaios, F., & Morgan, S. (2010). Online social networks. International Journal e-Business Management, 4(1), 20-33.
Boyd, D.M., & Ellison, N.B. (2007). Social network sites: Definition, history, and scholarship. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, 13(1), Article 11.
Coyle, C.L., & Vaughn, H. (2008). Social networking: communication revolution or evolution? Bell Labs Technical Journal, 13(2), 13-18.
DeAndrea, D., Ellison, N.B., LaRose, R., Steinfield, C., & Fiore, A. (2011). Serious social media: On the use of social media for improving students’ adjustment to college. Internet and Higher Education, 15(1), 15-23.
Duncan, D.G., & Barczyk, C.C. (2012). Facebook in higher education courses: An analysis of students’ attitudes, community of practice, and classroom community. International Business and Management, 6(1), 1-11.
Ellison, N.B. Steinfield, C., & Lampe, C. (2007). The benefits of Facebook friends: Social capital and college students’ use of online social network sites. Journal of Computer-mediated Communication, 12(11), 43-68.
Ezumah, B.A. (2013). College students’ use of social media: Site preferences, uses and gratifications theory revisited. International Journal of Business and Social Science, 4(5), 27-34.
Jabr, N.H. (2011). Social networking as a tool for extending academic learning and communication. International Journal of Business and Social Science, 2(12), 93-102.
Jacobsen, W.C., & Forste, R. (2011). The wired generation: Academic and social outcomes of electronic media use among university students’, Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 14(5), 275-280.
Joinson, A.N. (2008). Looking at, looking up, or keeping up with people? Motives and sues of Facebook. Proceeding paper at Online Social Networks, Florence, Italy.
Kalpidou, M., Costin, D., & Morris, J. (2011). The relationship between Facebook and the well-being of undergraduate college students. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 14(4), 183-189.
Kiser, A.I.T., & Porter, T. (2011). Social networking: Integrating students and university professor utilization. Global Conference on Business and Finance Proceedings, 6(6), 191-196.
Kwon, O., Daihwan, M., Geringer, S., & Lim, S.K. (2013). Students perception of qualifications for successful social media coordinator. Academy of Marketing Studies Journal, 17(1), 109-128.
Kujath, C.L. (2011). Facebook and MySpace: Complement or Substitute for Face-to-Face Interaction? Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 14(1-2), 75-78.
Lee, E-J, Lee, L. & Jang, J. (2011). Internet for internationals: Effects of internet use motivations on international students’ college adjustment. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 14(7/8), 433-437.
Mansumitrchai, S., Park, C-H., & Chiu, C.L. (2012). Factors underlying the adoption of social network: A study of facebook users in South Korea. International Journal of Business and management, 7(24), 138-153.
Park, C., & Kim, Y.J. (2013). Intensity of social network use by involvement: A study of young Chinese users. International Journal of Business and Management, 8(6), 22-33.
Peluchette, J. & Karl, K. (2008). Social networking profiles: An examination of student attitudes regarding use and appropriateness of content. CyberPsychology & Behavior, 11(1), 95-97.
Pempek, T.A, Yermolayeva, Y.A., & Calvert, S.L. (2009). College students’ social networking experiences on Facebook. Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology, 30(3), 227-238.
Pew Internet & American Life Project Surveys (2013). 72% of online adults are social networking sites users. Retrieved from http://www.pewinternet.org/~/media//Files/Reports/2013/PIP_Social_networking_sites_update.pdf
Raacke, J. & Bonds-Raacke, J. (2008). MySpace and Facebook: Applying the users and gratifications theory to exploring friend-networking sites. CyberPsychology & Behavior, 11(2), 169-174.
Shen, K.N., & Khalifa, M. (2010). Facebook usage among Arabic college students, International Journal of e-Business Management, (4)1, 53-65.
Stanciu, A., Mihai, F., & Aleca, O. (2012). Social networking as an alternative environment for education. Accounting and Management Information Systems, 11(1), 56-75.
Statistics New Zealand 2012, Government of New Zealand, Wellington.
Tham, J., & Ahmed, N. (2011). The usage and inplications of social networking sites: A survey of college students. Journal of Interpersonal, Intercultural and Mass Communication, 2(1), 1-11.
Tuten, T., & Marks, M. (2012). The adoption of social media as educational technology among marketing educators. Marketing Education Review, 22(3), 201-214..
Viralblog (n/a), www.viralblog.com. Retrieved November 26, 2012.
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2014-12-31
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