Communication Commons^™

Strands Of Repair: Textile Treasures As Sustainable Pathways To Reconnect With The Lost Past, Sareekah Agarwaal, Ruby Kashyap Sood

Textile Society of America: Symposium Proceedings

Textiles, fundamental to all human experiences, are meaning-laden objects that possess a remarkable ability to evoke emotions and memories, serving as powerful mnemonic devices.

Almost everyone experiences unplanned encounters with textiles in their lifetime and in different contexts. Hence, most every piece is loaded with personal, cultural, or historical data, fostering a deep emotional connection between the owner and the object. Consequently, these textiles are cared for, preserved, and often repurposed. But not much literature exists on how textiles and their stories can be used to augment the understanding of the identity of an individual, a group, a region, or …

Negro Cloth: African American Textile Design History, Karen Baker

Textile Society of America: Symposium Proceedings

Negro cloth is American history. Filled with the contributions to free and enslaved African Americans, this history has gone untold. Even within the narratives and historical archives on African Americans' history with cotton, this conversation goes beyond suffering, pain, and separation. The research reveals how African Americans contributed to indigo and cotton agriculture, weaving, and manufacturing from 1745 to 1865. The historical and narrative research has revealed the buried history of African American textile history, the American Civil War in Federal Writers' Project: Slave Narrative Project. The narratives reveal that enslaved African Americans were weavers who carded, spun, dyed, and …

Dung Dkar Cloak: Exploring Soft Interfaces For Sonic Interactions, Judit Eszter Kárpáti, Esteban De La Torre

Textile Society of America: Symposium Proceedings

The importance of crossmodal interaction within the contemporary cultural, technological and scientific panorama has evidently gained significant attention due to its remarkable advantages in creating a meaningful, interwoven, and integrated experience. The use and recontextualization of textiles in such exploratory quest into the human senses has proven to be critical. Computational science, algorithmic logic and digital devices have always been rooted and closely interwoven with textile crafts and practices. Recent technological advancements have further combined technology and textile, generating interactive textile surfaces, constructing endless possibilities for multisensorial experiences. In this presentation we will examine how we can weave a sensitive …

Incursive Heritage: Socio-Digital Mediations Of Mediterranean, Maria Ida De Ioanni

Textile Society of America: Symposium Proceedings

Drawing upon the ongoing research endeavors within my doctoral program, this paper articulates a dual objective. Firstly, it undertakes the recognition and systematic delineation of collaborative repositories hosted on social media platforms, which serve to revitalize and perpetuate textile traditions through the curation of oral histories and diverse forms of visiotextual materials. The focal point of this inquiry encompasses social media accounts that reconfigure and contest prevailing heritage narratives by foregrounding hitherto marginalized personal and communal accounts surrounding textiles and fabrics. Functioning as dynamic digital repositories, these accounts subvert conventional heritage discourses by not only archiving and structuring knowledge but …

Repatriation And Conservation, Sandra Sardjono, Kristal Hale, Christopher Buckley, Saiful Bakhri, Absari Hanifah

Textile Society of America: Symposium Proceedings

Textile represents one of the most important cultural heritages in Indonesia and is an integral part of social and religious lives of traditional communities. Due to colonial impact, shifts in indigenous belief systems and values, modernization, and tourism, many textiles have left their original environments. Many gained new contexts as museum objects housed in regional museums or private collections in Indonesia and abroad.

In Indonesian museums, these objects are cared for by museum staff with various backgrounds and levels of expertise, who are shifted to new positions every two-three years by the Indonesian Ministry. This methodology is intended as a …

A Human-In-The-Loop Approach: Designing An Ai-Assisted Workflow, Abram Anders, Emily Dux Speltz

Teaching Repository of AI-Infused Learning

This teaching case presents an AI-assisted workflow design activity that challenges students to integrate AI tools into solving real-world communication problems. Students engage in a structured process of problem identification, solution sketching, and prototype development, culminating in the creation and testing of an AI-human collaborative workflow. The activity fosters critical thinking about AI capabilities and limitations while encouraging students to apply AI tools to personally relevant scenarios.

Grace House Akron Volunteer Information And Training Kit, Lilly Wright

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Grace House Akron is a non-profit organization that provides housing and care to people on hospice who are homeless, living in indignant conditions, or do not have an able and/or willing caregiver. Over the course of Grace House’s first year in operation, they have worked alongside over 200 volunteers. Now, they are seeking to expand the demographic makeup of these volunteers. The objective of this project is to create a deliverable volunteer kit that will include 4 sections: Introduction, In-House Volunteering, Out-of-House Volunteering, and Reference Materials. This kit will streamline the process of onboarding volunteers by introducing them to the …

The Power Of Polish: Exploring The Impact Of Nail Adornments On Perceptions Of Attraction, Sara Demichele

Honors Theses

Understanding the significance of nail adornments in shaping perceptions of attractiveness and mate value provides insights into human behavior and preferences. In the current investigation, participants rated human nail length and color on physical attractiveness and partner desirability measures. Results revealed significant effects of nail length and color across different demographic groups. Medium-length nails consistently received higher ratings for physical attractiveness, cuteness, and partner desirability compared to short and long nails. White-colored nails were generally rated most attractive, while blue and black nails received the lowest ratings. Additionally, participants reported a moderate association between having manicured nails and feelings of …

Health Information Orientation, Social Support, And Diabetes Self-Care Behavior Among Indian Adults: The Roles Of Education And Self-Efficacy, Yam Limbu, Devon Johnson, C. Jayachandran, Christopher J. Mckinley, P. Raghunadha Reddy

College of Communication and Media Scholarship and Creative Works

This study examines the direct and indirect influences of health information orientation and social support on diabetes self-care behavior through self-efficacy and the moderating role of education on such indirect effects. Data were collected from Indian adults with type 2 diabetes using a self-administered questionnaire. Results suggest that self-efficacy fully mediates the link between health information orientation and diabetes self-care behaviors. In addition, social support is directly related to self-care behaviors and indirectly through self-efficacy. This indirect association was stronger among patients with higher education compared with those with a lower level of education. The results offer several public health …

Remember, You Can Complete This Survey Online! Web Survey Links And Qr Codes In A Mixed-Mode Web And Mail General Population Survey, Kristen M. Olson, Amanda Ganshert

Department of Sociology: Faculty Publications

Recruitment materials for concurrent mixed-mode self-administered web and mail surveys must communi-cate information about multiple modes simultaneously. Providing the link to the web survey on the cover of the paper questionnaire or including a QR code to access the web survey may increase the visibility of the web mode and thus increase the proportion of people who participate via the web, but whether including either piece of information does so has received surprisingly little empirical attention. In this paper, we exam-ine the results of experiments embedded in two general population probability-based concurrent mixed-mode surveys of Nebraska adults. First, in the …

Method Of Product Placement In Computer Games. Qualitative Research Amongst Polish Players, Magdalena Hofman-Kohlmeyer

Journal of Marketing and Consumer Behaviour in Emerging Markets

Nowadays, new technologies enable practitioners to create brand experience in the virtual world of computer games. Marketers use product placement to reach potential and current customers. In the meantime, computer games have become an attractive medium because they attract an increasingly wider audience of different genders and various age groups. Therefore, an important issue is to know and systematize current methods of brand placement in computer games. For the purpose, the author carried out 20 in-depth interviews with players of chosen computer games, Second Life, Euro Truck Simulator 2 and The Sims. According to the analysis, it can be distinguished …

The Role Of Augmented Reality In Improving Brand Attitude Through Perceived Enjoyment, Widyastuti Widyastuti

Journal of Marketing and Consumer Behaviour in Emerging Markets

Augmented Reality is a technology that is commonly used by businesses to market their products. The technology allows customers to test products online in order to deliver a more enjoyable purchasing experience. The study is aimed at investigating the impact of vividness and perceived informativeness, as a characteristic of AR, on brand attitude through perceived enjoyment. There are 204 respondents chosen using purposive sampling technique. They are women who used Augmented Reality when purchasing cosmetics online. The study used a path analysis with the assistance of Amos software. According to the findings, perceived enjoyment can strengthen the influence of vividness …

2024, 2(19)

Journal of Marketing and Consumer Behaviour in Emerging Markets

Full Issue 2024, 2(19)

Github Uncovered: Revealing The Social Fabric Of Software Development Communities, Abduljaleel Al Rubaye

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation 2023-2024

The proliferation of open-source software development platforms has given rise to various online social communities where developers can seamlessly collaborate, showcase their projects, and exchange knowledge and ideas. GitHub stands out as a preeminent platform within this ecosystem. It offers developers a space to host and disseminate their code, participate in collaborative ventures, and engage in meaningful dialogues with fellow community members. This dissertation embarks on a comprehensive exploration of various facets of software development communities on GitHub, with a specific focus on innovation diffusion, repository popularity dynamics, code quality enhancement, and user commenting behaviors. This dissertation introduces a popularity-based …

Giving Voice To The Voiceless: Health Communication And Female Fieldworkers In Central Florida, Sofia Salazar

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation 2023-2024

This qualitative research project examined health experiences of female agricultural workers in central Florida. Specifically, this study identified the most common physical and mental health illnesses and issues reported by female agricultural workers, their health-related decision-making processes, methods used to access health-related information, and the challenges they encounter when attempting to access health-related information, support, and services. In total, 21 interviews were conducted with women who had worked for at least one year as an agricultural worker in central Florida. The data was analyzed for emergent themes based on a codebook developed using the IDEA model as a theoretical framework. …

Role Of The Public Editor In Enhancing Trust In Legacy Media: Case Study Of Daily Monitor Newspaper In Uganda., Eriasa Mukiibi

Executive Masters in Media Leadership and Innovation

The study critically examines the pivotal role of the Public Editor (PE) at the Daily Monitor Newspaper in Uganda, focusing on comprehending reader trust levels, assessing petitioner satisfaction, and exploring Editorial Team perceptions. Against the backdrop of Uganda's evolving media landscape that is shaped by digital news, government influence, and media ownership, this research emphasizes the indispensable function of PEs in preserving public trust. Through a multifaceted analysis encompassing reader sentiments, petitioner satisfaction, and Editorial Team perspectives, the study unveils insights into trust, satisfaction, and editorial processes within the newspaper. Study Findings revealed a predominantly male readership (76%) within the …

Hyperlocal Digital Content Profits: Strategizing Revenue Generation For New Vision Podcasts, Athman Raziah

Executive Masters in Media Leadership and Innovation

This capstone project explores how traditional media houses can generate revenue from hyperlocal digital content, focusing specifically on podcasts. As consumer habits and advertising trends shift towards digital platforms; traditional media outlets face the challenge of reaching niche audiences and convincing advertisers to invest in digital advertising, particularly in the realm of podcasts. With the decline in physical newspaper readership, the digital wave has gained significant momentum, leading to a transition from traditional media to more accessible and fragmented platforms. This project aims to design a sustainable revenue-generating strategy for New Vision podcasts, addressing the unfamiliarity of producers, media executives, …

Exploring The Challenges And Opportunities Of Digital Transformation In Media Organizations: A Case Of Nation Media Group, Uganda., Emmanuel Waiswa

Executive Masters in Media Leadership and Innovation

This study explores Nation Media Group Uganda’s digital transformation and revenue diversification efforts in response to challenges in the evolving media market. Employing a mixed methods approach, including in-depth interviews with 7 key stakeholders, an online questionnaire distributed to 43 respondents, and document analysis, the study offers nuanced insights into NMGU's digital landscape. The key focus areas of this study are first - organizational culture, technology, and digital competencies. NMGU faces resistance to innovation rooted in a focus on traditional revenue streams, creating bureaucratic hurdles and a generational gap. Addressing these challenges requires a proactive approach to technology integration and …

Upskilling And Retooling Regional Correspondents In A Changing Media Landscape: A Case Study Of Royal Media Services Limited., Fayzah Wanjiru

Executive Masters in Media Leadership and Innovation

Regional correspondents play a major role in the media in Kenya by bringing into the national discourse local stories from rural, marginalized, and isolated communities, as well as from other towns away from the capital city or the head office of a media organization. Advancements in technology in the digital era have transformed the media landscape, forcing the media to adopt new business models as audience consumption habits change. Regional correspondents must equip themselves with relevant skills to adapt to the evolving media landscape. Industry players have found that regional correspondents lack competency skills. Ireri (2017) argued that journalists feel …

Towards An Efficient Management Of Fake News In The Digital Media Era Newsrooms. A Case Study Of Citizen Digital, Royal Media Services., Francis Gachuri

Executive Masters in Media Leadership and Innovation

The challenge of fake news in the media is a persistent struggle and dents the credibility of journalism as a source of accurate and verifiable content. With the vast penetration of the internet and growth in social media, the legacy media (mainstream media) has to contend with the spread of fake content and safeguard itself from losing its face as the source of truth. Media houses have to rethink, re-strategize and invest in tools, skills, equipment and processes that will identify, isolate and debunk fake news, and stop its dissemination for consumption by the masses. The main objective of this …

News Media Content Shifts And Declining Youth News Consumption In Uganda’S Legacy Media: A Case Study Of The New Vision., Alex Bagyenzire Atuhaire

Executive Masters in Media Leadership and Innovation

The decline in the number of young people consuming news media is a phenomenon occasioned by the digital migration of the youthful population, media content disruptions, market competition and rapid technological innovations. These forces, together with the highly youthful population in Uganda that has either migrated to digital platforms or are digital natives have not only resulted in shifts in consumption habits but also a decline in legacy media consumption. Using The New Vision as a case, the project sought to analyse and explore media news content changes and youth news consumption levels in the Ugandan media focusing on key …

Factors Affecting Retention Of Journalists At Etop Radio In Soroti City, Eastern Uganda., Joseph Akiiso

Executive Masters in Media Leadership and Innovation

This research investigates the factors affecting journalist retention at ETOP Radio, located in Soroti City, Eastern Uganda. Through a descriptive survey design, the study employs questionnaires and interviews to achieve its objectives. These objectives include analyzing factors leading to the turnover of talented journalists, exploring contributors to staff retention, and assessing and recommending strategies to boost staff retention within the ETOP Radio Human Resource Department. The findings reveal that a majority of journalists at ETOP Radio plan to continue their tenure, indicating a moderate level of employee satisfaction. The study further identifies strengths such as effective two-way communication, fostering a …

Exploring The Viability Of A Hybrid E-Commerce Portal As An Alternative Revenue Model For Nation Media Group, Uganda, Samuel Kanyaihe Barata

Executive Masters in Media Leadership and Innovation

The global media industry, shaped by technological advancements, is facing existential challenges and Nation Media Group Uganda, like its industry counterparts, continues to grapple with declining circulation, viewership, and advertising revenues. These hardships test NMGU's sustainability, pushing the exploration of new digital revenue streams. Paywalls, initially slow globally, prompting a quest for alternative models, notably a hybrid e-commerce portal, prompting this research. To evaluate NMGU's potential hybrid e-commerce venture, the researcher gauged public interest and vendor/service provider willingness using quantitative methods. Out of 102 distributed questionnaires, an 83% response rate yielded 85 valuable insights, forming the primary dataset for analysis. …

The Gig Economy And Labour Resource Practices: A Case Study Of Africa Uncensored Limited, John Allan Namu

Executive Masters in Media Leadership and Innovation

The following capstone paper discusses an emergent issue in labour relations within the media sector; contract or “gig” work. It draws on a context of nearly a decade of falling profits and failing business models within the news media sector, juxtaposed against the rising dominance of revenue models that are derivative of digital media businesses. The objectives of the capstone were to determine sustainable remuneration models that can be explored by Africa Uncensored Limited(AUC) staff in gig work and build a framework for engagement with individuals doing gig work. Employing a case- study approach, the researcher facilitated an understanding of …

Revolutionizing Vernacular Radio To Embrace The Youth: A Case Of Muuga Fm., Muroria Grace Mukiri

Executive Masters in Media Leadership and Innovation

Radio has been a powerful tool for mass communication and entertainment for over a century. In many developing countries, vernacular radio, which broadcasts in local languages, has been very popular and it serves as a platform for promoting local cultures, traditions and events. However, with the advent of modern technology, young people are increasingly turning away from radio as a source of entertainment and information. This trend threatens the future of vernacular radio stations, which must find new ways to engage and attract younger audiences. This project used a case of Muuga FM. Muuga FM is a vernacular radio station …

Exploring Strategies Broadcast Media Can Use Togenerate Revenue From Social Media Platforms: A Case Study Of Galaxy Fm In Uganda., Esther Nalubega Wamala

Executive Masters in Media Leadership and Innovation

Globally, the manner in which people are communicating and interacting has changed mainly due to social media. This change has affectedtraditional media that is print and broadcast because part of the audiences have shifted to Social Media Platforms (SMPs) like Facebook (Meta), Twitter (X), WhatsApp, YouTube, TikTok, Instagram and others where they get all the information. This shift has negatively impacted the revenue base of the traditional media because advertisers have also turned to SMPs to advertise their goods and services. The goal of this study, therefore, was to explore strategies broadcast media houses can use to generate revenue from …

Employability Of Graduate Journalists In Modern Media Houses: A Case Study Of Nation Media Group As An Employer., Caroline Wayeta Wafula

Executive Masters in Media Leadership and Innovation

The study set out to establish the current status of the employability of graduate journalists in modern media houses in Kenya, with Nation Media Group (NMG) as the case study. Specifically, the study sought to identify essential skills that media houses in Kenya currently need from journalism graduates, assess the skills capacity of fresh journalism graduates and determine challenges currently faced by employers in accessing skills needed in modern media houses. The study employed a qualitative research approach, and the researcher conducted in-person interviews with respondents. The study established that the skilling demands on the journalism profession are changing because …

Content Monetization: Non-Fungible Tokens As A New Revenue Stream For The Media Sector In Kenya., Geoffrey Macharia Wamugo

Executive Masters in Media Leadership and Innovation

Non–Fungible Tokens, also known as NFTs, are a unique digital asset that is a representation of an object in the real world like a piece of art, photo, or video. The use of NFTs is on the rise and several companies as well as individuals are using them to make money. With the changes being experienced in the sector, Media houses like the US Time Magazine who already used its stockpile of historical images to create NFTs are tapping this digital territory to get more revenue. Recently, marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge earned $37,351 after auctioning two videos of his career …

Journalism In The Digital Era: Making The Case For Media Research Department., Yvonne Okwara

Executive Masters in Media Leadership and Innovation

In a world with social media outlets that are quick on the mark when it comes to breaking news, it is no longer the journalist’s job to be the first or the fastest to break news. That has been disrupted already. What audiences need now more than ever before is confirmation, understanding and analysis of what the news means to them, and how it will affect their lives. What they are looking for is an understanding of the genesis of an event, its progression up until the point the story broke, and why it should matter to them. The study …

An Analysis Of Ethical Practices In Production Of Youtube Editorial Content In Rwanda., James Munyaneza

Executive Masters in Media Leadership and Innovation

Many scholars have investigated the impact of digital technologies on journalism ethics, citing falling ethical standards and urging the protection of the basic tenets of journalism. YouTube has emerged as a major conduit of information, thereby helping democratise content. But scholars like Ward have wondered if the old journalistic ideals of objectivity and editorial independence apply to citizen journalists as much. Indeed, Hulin attempted to draw a line between journalists and other online content producers, noting that journalists retain a major responsibility in the promotion of democracy. Democracy, he argues, still needs professional journalists. As such, media outlets need to …