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Sentiment analysis of microblog texts has drawn lots of attention in both the academic and industrial fields. However, most of the current work only focuses on polarity classification. In this paper, we present an opinion mining system for Chinese microblogs called CMiner. Instead of polarity classification, CMiner focuses on more complicated opinion mining tasks - opinion target extraction and opinion summarization. Novel algorithms are developed for the two tasks and integrated into the end-to-end system. CMiner can help to effectively understand the users’ opinion towards different opinion targets in a microblog topic. Specially, we develop an unsupervised label propagation algorithm for opinion target extraction. The opinion targets of all messages in a topic are collectively extracted based on the assumption that similar messages may focus on similar opinion targets. In addition, we build an aspect-based opinion summarization framework for microblog topics. After getting the opinion targets of all the microblog messages in a topic, we cluster the opinion targets into several groups and extract representative targets and summaries for each group. A co-ranking algorithm is proposed to rank both the opinion targets and microblog sentences simultaneously. Experimental results on a benchmark dataset show the effectiveness of our system and the algorithms. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Social networking sites (SNSs) and virtual communities (VCs) are popular online social media having similarities and differences. The paper investigated the difference in motivations and in the relationships from motivations to continuance intention between active users of SNSs and VCs. The results show that while connecting with old friends, meeting new people, seeking information, seeking entertainment, and seeking social support are significant motivations of both communities’ active users, active users of SNSs rate higher motivation to connect with old friends than VCs; seeking information and social support motivations have the same effect on the continuance intention of the both communities’ active users through attitude; connecting with old friends and meeting new people motivations have obvious different effects on continuance intention through attitude between the two communities’ active users. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore empirically the adoption of social networking services in corporate communication within the context of China. Design/methodology/approach – After reviewing the extant literature on technology adoption, the paper proposes a conceptual model for studying the adoption of social networking in corporate communication. Based on this model a quantitative survey is carried out within the Chinese context to examine the key factors influencing consumers' adoption of social networking services to engage with organisations. Findings – The conceptual model proposed in this study offers a comprehensive overview of the adoption of social networking services through identifying various factors associated with ease of use, perceived usefulness, trust and loyalty and advertisement. Through adopting an empirical research strategy focusing on China, which has a high level of technology adoption, this study contributes towards providing a good understanding of how new technology-enabled social media platforms can offer a more dynamic engagement between consumers and organisations. Research limitations/implications – This research only focuses on exploring empirically the adoption of social networking services in one country and does not investigate how such factors may impact consumers' adoption and continuity to use in that country or in a wider context. Practical implications – The conceptual model in this study offers organisations including multinational ones and researchers a comprehensive overview of the adoption of social networking services in corporate communication, particularly in an emerging economy. The key findings of this study show how the ease of use of these platforms and services can facilitate a better engagement and communication between consumers and corporate organisations. In addition, the study indicates embedding social networking services platforms and services within the advertisement strategy for the organisation can contribute towards its success in reaching to a broader consumer range. Originality/value – The core contribution of this research adds to the growing body of knowledge concerning the adoption of social networking services in emerging economies. In particular, the conceptual model formulated through the synthesis of extant literature offers researchers and practitioners valuable insights on appreciating the key issues that require consideration when organisations utilise social networking services to engage with consumers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This methodological note is to introduce new social network analysis (SNA) data sets that can be used to visualize and analyze the global linkages of the World Uyghur Congress (WUC). The results show that first of all, the WUC and Rebiya Kadeer play central roles in mobilizing political activity around the globe. Second, human rights NGOs and other organizations from the Uyghur diaspora pervade the networks of the WUC, and are spearheading the coordination of events and the exchange of information. Third, the WUC is keen on connecting with government representatives and journalists. Fourth, a growing number of links exist between the WUC and news organizations. Such links are most obvious among news organizations situated within the same country, when a Uyghur-related event occurs. A quintessential example is observed in the SNA map, where Japanese press and media showed interest in reporting Uyghur news when WUC Secretary General Dolkun Isa visited Japan to promote the Uyghur issue in 2006. A case study of Uyghur linkages in Australia further demonstrates WUC influence over Uyghur activism in various corners of the world. The purpose of this paper is not only to provide the first visualization and empirical test in regard to WUC networks that China's government and various China observers have believed to exist. With this document, I also demonstrate how a network approach can provide alternate ways for researchers to conduct their respective studies on diasporic networks of Tibetans, Taiwanese, or Chinese. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prior research on social network sites (SNSs) has focused on interpersonal communication on Facebook, Twitter, and MySpace. Much less is known about the use of SNSs beyond the individual level and outside of the American context. This study fills in the gaps by offering insight into the personified use of interactive features on SNSs by organizations in China for branding purposes. Based on the notion of the social affordances of technologies, we conducted a content analysis of the presence and activities of 98 organizations on a popular Chinese SNS and identified 15 interactive features, including profile related features (e.g., status updates, discussion board, message forwarding) and social game related features (e.g., game players, raffles, virtual goods). The results of our statistical analysis indicated that the more interactive features that an organization used, the more page visits and fans it attracted and the more electronic word of mouth (eWOM) behavior occurred. All of these interactive features helped personify the organizations as friends to their fans, followers, service users, and potential customers, which created a new form of organization--public communication: sharing as "frands." [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]