Social Networks' Users: Profiles and Motivations

Ana Belo (anagagobelo@gmail.com), Silvia Fernandes (sfernan@ualg.pt) and Guilherme Castela (gcastela@ualg.pt)
Additional contact information
Ana Belo: University of Algarve, Postal: Faculty of Economics, University of Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal, http://fe.ualg.pt/home/pt
Silvia Fernandes: University of Algarve, Postal: Research Centre for Spatial and Organizational Dynamics, Faculty of Economics, University of Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal, http://www.cieo.pt/
Guilherme Castela: University of Algarve, Postal: Research Centre for Spatial and Organizational Dynamics, Faculty of Economics, University of Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal, http://www.cieo.pt/

Journal of Tourism, Sustainability and Well-being, 2014, vol. 2, issue 3, 217-228

Abstract: The present work aims at analyzing the profiles of social networks’ users, having accomplished an online questionnaire. A sample of 230 cases was obtained (limited to a deadline of a thesis that combined this study with another about enterprises’ involvement in social networks). From the socio-demographic data obtained (age, time of day in social networks, level of education and occupational status) there are different behaviors. The results highlight the need of harnessing the potential of recruitment and business partnerships/projects through social networks. This is important because the vast majority of respondents use these platforms for more than one year and a significant percentage accesses them every day. Another issue is that mobile phone connection has a significant expression, thus relevant for ubiquitous business or work applications. Regarding the actions performed, besides seeing/sending messages as the most usually done, searching for knowledge (new contents) is also expressive what is relevant for innovative initiatives. Regarding the motivation factors, it is interesting that besides communication with friends and meeting old friends, the use of such platforms for professional relations has high importance what corroborates some potentials mentioned.

Keywords: Social Networks; Users; Profiles; Behaviors; Motivations (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O30 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2014
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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