• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.445-452
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• 2016

The purposes of this study were to examine the two processes of social comparison and self-comparison, and to suggest the applications of social comparison theories and self-comparison theories. For these purposes, social comparison theory, self-evaluation maintenance model, control theory, self-discrepancy theory, regulatory focus theory, and temporal comparison theory were reviewed. The processes of social comparison and self-comparison are different, but both comparisons are similar in that they have some effects on self-evaluation, emotion, motivation and behaviors. Suggestions on education, health, economic justice and interpersonal relationships were discussed.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.469-480
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• 2020

The study investigated the effects of SNS usage on 20s and 30s female SNS users' internalization of thin body, body surveillance, appearance upper comparison, body dissatisfaction and eating disorders based on objectification theory and social comparison theory. The study examined differences on SNS usage and body image variables between high and low groups of SNS envy and self-compassion. Social Network Service (SNS) is used as a contemporary marketing tool for brands and companies. It also influences the body image of female SNS users. The survey used an online survey company for female SNS users in their 20s and 30s to analyze the effect of SNS usage. The results showed that SNS usage significantly impacted the internalization of a thin body, body surveillance and appearance upper comparison. The internalization of thin body also had a significant impact on body surveillance and appearance upper comparison. Appearance upper comparison positively affected body dissatisfaction and eating disorders. Finally, the group with higher SNS envy showed higher SNS usage, internalization of thin body, body surveillance, appearance upper comparison, body dissatisfaction and eating disorders. The group with higher self-compassion showed opposite results. This study provided a theoretical expansion for a SNS and female body image study with objectification theory and social comparison theory. It also suggests positive SNS marketing strategies use for brands. Lastly, this study emphasized the importance of the proper use of SNS to protect the body image of SNS users.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.39-50
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• 2019

Purpose - The purpose of our study is to provide an understanding of the relationships among consumer attention to social comparison information (ATSCI), consumer ethnocentrism (CET), national identity (NI), and consumer purchase intention to domestic brands (PIDB). Drawing on the social comparison theory (SCT) and social identity theory (SIT), we developed a model that is empirically testable and explains consumer behavior of domestic brands and products. Research design, data, and methodology - The conceptual framework was tested with primary data collected through a survey in China. Structural equation modeling was employed to test hypotheses. Results - The results from empirical analyses indicated that the ATSCI positively influenced CET and NI, and CET and NI affect consumer PIDB. In addition, the mediating effects of CET and NI on the relationship between ATSCI and PIDB were identified. Nonetheless, little direct impact of ATSCI on PIDB was reported. Conclusions - We suggested that international marketers use given information to attract consumer attention and develop appropriate promotions, especially for Chinese young generations that would pay much attention to social comparison information in their purchase decisions. Our study originally connected one socio-psychological antecedent, ATSCI, with CET and NI and estimated the relationships among the three antecedents and their effects on PIDB in order to predict consumer behavior in China.

• The Journal of Information Systems
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.39-62
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• 2017

Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate the factors which affect users' fatigue and reluctant intention of using a SNS. In particular, this study focused on the fatigue of SNS users, as the recent excessive use of SNS has led to negative effects such as invasion of privacy, addition and social overload. fatigue This research will explain how producing adverse effects by using SNS caused psychological and mental depression. Previous researches explained that mental fatigue associated with SNS is not simple one and it is complicated with various psychological factors. Considering this fact, this study introduced a behavioral economics concept and a social comparison theory in the research model. Design/methodology/approach For research purposes, this study developed research hypotheses in order to empirically examine the factors that affect SNS users' fatigue and reluctant intention. The empirical research was based on a poll done through 800 research candidates in the SNS fields and the final 451 responses were collected and used in statistical data analysis. The adaptability, trust, and validity to measurement model were verified and the structural relationship in the research model was analyzed through these 451 responses. Findings First of all, maintenance fatigue of SNS had a positive significant effect on coupling and fatigue of SNS and information privacy had a non-significant effect on fatigue. Second, coupling had a negative significant effect on rational inattention, however, perceived cost had a non-significant effect on rational inattention. Third, lateral/upward comparison had a positive significant on user's negative emotions. Meanwhile, user's negative emotions did not have a significant effect on rational inattention.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.858-871
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• 2017

The present study purported to understand the relationships between SNS appearance-related photo activity, body image and self-esteem among young women. Objectification Theory and Social Comparison Theory explain the process how young women's SNS appearance-related photo activity influence their body satisfaction through a perceived media pressure, objectification of their own bodies and appearance comparison. These process ultimately affect the self-esteem of young female users. A research model was proposed and related hypothesis were examined. We collected an online questionnaire from 400 female participants in their 20's. Data were analyzed using SPSS 23.0 and AMOS 18.0. Structural equation modeling analyses suggested that the proposed research model provided a good fit to the data and supported most hypothesis. The results indicated that the level of SNS appearance-related photo activity significantly influences young female user's body satisfaction and self-esteem. The findings of this study were consistent with previous literature on media and body image. Limitations and future research suggestions were also described.

• Knowledge Management Research
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.119-136
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• 2017

This paper focuses on proactive personality as one of the main personality traits relevant to knowledge sharing and examines how this personal trait influences knowledge sharing behavior. Moreover, in order to consider the interactive effect between proactive personality and a contextual factor, this study utilized the construct of LMXSC which can reveal restoration of resource losses due to knowledge sharing. Because LMXSC can have opposite directions depending on used theories, this study investigates how LMXSC moderates the relationship between proactive personality and knowledge sharing behavior by using conservation of resources theory and trait activation theory. This study tests hypotheses with the data of supervisor-employee dyads in various industries. An empirical results showed that proactive personality increased knowledge sharing behavior and LMXSC strengthened the positive relationship between proactive personality and knowledge sharing behavior as conservation of resources theory predicts. Based on these theoretical arguments and empirical findings, this study suggests theoretical and practical implications, limitations, and the directions of future research.

• Asia Marketing Journal
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.41-63
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• 2018

Incidental envy influences behavior in various domains. However, no research, to date, has investigated whether incidental envy influences interpersonal behavior toward others who are unrelated to the emergence of the emotion. That is, the literature is silent on how those who experience incidental envy engage in interpersonal contact and how this may affect consumers. In this paper, we address this question by investigating the influence of incidental envy on interpersonal contact with others of higher or lower status based on the social comparison theory. We demonstrate that incidental envy (versus a neutral emotion) motivates people to contact higher status others to facilitate upward assimilation (experiments 1 and 2). We also show that when competition (a situational factor that heightens the personal relevance of the interaction with the target) is involved, individuals who feel envy (versus a neutral emotion) are more likely to contact lower status others to engage in downward contrast (experiment 3). We conclude with a discussion of the practical implications of our findings.

• Korean Journal of Social Welfare
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• v.58 no.3
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• pp.169-193
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• 2006

The Purpose of this paper is to compare workfare system in UK with in Australia from the view point of social contract theory. There are two kinds of social contract theory - Hobbesian and Kantian theory. In view of these two types, this paper makes a comparative study of New Deal in UK and Mutual Obligation in Australia. The results of analysis can be summarized as follows. Firstly, in this respect of compulsive program formation background, Mutual Obligation and New Deal is all similar with Hobbesian social contract theory. Secondly, With regard to concern for the disadvantaged, Mutual Obligation is among Hobbesian social contract but New Deal is among Kantian social contract. Lastly, concerning orientation of compulsion, Mutual Obligation is close to Hobbesian social contract but New Deal is close to Kantian social contract.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.20 no.9
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• pp.238-248
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• 2020

This study examines the feelings of positivity and negativity generated through upward social comparison and explores the impact of the results of the emotions on SNS users' posting behavior. In particular, this study aims to systematically identify the influence of upward social comparison on SNS followers and uploaders' SNS usage behavior and the structural principle of social network circulation in which followers become uploaders again. According to the analysis, interaction-oriented followers made negative upward social comparison and positive upward social comparison, while negative upward social comparison reduced the publication of independence tendency. However, positive upward social comparison has been shown to increase both independent and interactive postings. The results of this study are meaningful in that SNS has expanded the results of prior studies, in which social comparison theories were biased toward negative upward comparisons, to positive upward comparisons. In addition, this study suggested a practical strategy for SNS platform operators on how SNS users would not deviate from other platforms.

• The Journal of Information Systems
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.163-188
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• 2023

Purpose The study examines the impact of the level of anthropomorphism (both in appearance and behavior) of virtual humans on user liking. It investigates whether this relationship is mediated by social comparison experiences, with the moderated mediation effect of users' desire for self-improvement. Design/methodology/approach A between-groups experimental design was employed to examine the impact of different levels of appearance(low/mid/high) and behavior(low/high) anthropomorphism on user liking of virtual humans. The experiment was conducted in an online environment, and participants were randomly exposed to one of six stimuli, which were Instagram-like posts. Findings The results indicate that as virtual humans become more anthropomorphic, they have a positive impact on user liking. However, once the level of anthropomorphism in appearance reaches a certain point (mid vs high), there is no significant difference in user liking. Users who perceive virtual humans as highly anthropomorphic tend to engage in more social comparison experiences, which positively affects their liking for these virtual humans. Conversely, individuals with a high desire for self-improvement found that the positive effect of appearance anthropomorphism on liking through social comparison experiences was reduced. The study extends the application of social comparison theory by examining its impact on influencer marketing with virtual beings. It provides valuable insights for the formulation of influencer marketing strategies using virtual humans.