title: An empirical investigation into music listening behaviour in the presence of the network effect

authors: Ghaffari, Mona

subjects: Network effect

abstract: The rapid expansion of online platforms has revolutionised the digital media industry, transforming the way people consume digital content and interact with each other and the platforms. The network effects (NEs) play a vital role in the success of online platforms, fostering user collaboration and interest exchange, thereby creating a positive feedback loop that influences user behaviours and contributes to a platform’s success. However, initial studies exploring the NEs phenomenon primarily focused on network size, predating the widespread adoption of online platforms, and thus providing little insight into the application of NEs in the online platform context. Furthermore, despite extensive studies on online platforms, established theoretical constructs and practical frameworks that integrate other variables contributing to NEs in online platforms are lacking.
The thesis consists of three research chapters that significantly contribute to the study of NEs and their influence on users’ online music listening behaviours. In the first study, a systematic and rigorous approach was adopted to develop an NEs measurement scale. Drawing on social network and social action theories, we developed a novel NEs model with two subconstructs: social network structure and social action. An empirical research design was applied using the data of 200 Last.fm users. We employed a combination of partial least squares (PLS) path modelling and an expert focus group to validate the model. The results supported the validity and reliability of the developed NEs model.
The second study addressed the scarcity of longitudinal analysis related to the evolving nature of NEs and the lack of empirical research to measure the impact of NEs on online music listening behaviours. We examined the NEs construct from our first study to show the impact of NEs on Last.fm users’ music listening behaviours cross-sectionally and longitudinally. The research method used was partial least square-structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) of data obtained from Last.fm within two time intervals, targeting 1,708 users. Our study found that NEs positively influence users’ music listening behaviours, including the quantity, variety, and novelty of their music consumption. Specifically, the multigroup analysis revealed that the positive impact of NEs on users’ music listening behaviours becomes stronger over time. Furthermore, as the social network structure strengthens and users engage in more social actions, there is a carryover effect on NEs at subsequent times.
The third study explored the impact of COVID-19 on online music listening behaviours in relation to listeners’ social interactions. We analysed the online music listening behaviours and social interactions of 37,328 Last.fm users in 45 countries before and after the first wave of confinement, using robust causal inference methods: difference in differences (DiD) and two-way fixed effects (TWFE). The results revealed that, in response to COVID-19, there was a decline in the quantity, variety, and novelty of music consumption, with a shift towards mainstream artists. However, our analysis also found that users with more online social connections and communications exhibited the opposite behaviour. This study provides guidance for the development of innovative design strategies for digital media, including music, movies, and games.

text: An empirical investigation into music listening behaviour in the presence of the network effect The rapid expansion of online platforms has revolutionised the digital media industry, transforming the way people consume digital content and interact with each other and the platforms. The network effects (NEs) play a vital role in the success of online platforms, fostering user collaboration and interest exchange, thereby creating a positive feedback loop that influences user behaviours and contributes to a platform’s success. However, initial studies exploring the NEs phenomenon primarily focused on network size, predating the widespread adoption of online platforms, and thus providing little insight into the application of NEs in the online platform context. Furthermore, despite extensive studies on online platforms, established theoretical constructs and practical frameworks that integrate other variables contributing to NEs in online platforms are lacking.
The thesis consists of three research chapters that significantly contribute to the study of NEs and their influence on users’ online music listening behaviours. In the first study, a systematic and rigorous approach was adopted to develop an NEs measurement scale. Drawing on social network and social action theories, we developed a novel NEs model with two subconstructs: social network structure and social action. An empirical research design was applied using the data of 200 Last.fm users. We employed a combination of partial least squares (PLS) path modelling and an expert focus group to validate the model. The results supported the validity and reliability of the developed NEs model.
The second study addressed the scarcity of longitudinal analysis related to the evolving nature of NEs and the lack of empirical research to measure the impact of NEs on online music listening behaviours. We examined the NEs construct from our first study to show the impact of NEs on Last.fm users’ music listening behaviours cross-sectionally and longitudinally. The research method used was partial least square-structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) of data obtained from Last.fm within two time intervals, targeting 1,708 users. Our study found that NEs positively influence users’ music listening behaviours, including the quantity, variety, and novelty of their music consumption. Specifically, the multigroup analysis revealed that the positive impact of NEs on users’ music listening behaviours becomes stronger over time. Furthermore, as the social network structure strengthens and users engage in more social actions, there is a carryover effect on NEs at subsequent times.
The third study explored the impact of COVID-19 on online music listening behaviours in relation to listeners’ social interactions. We analysed the online music listening behaviours and social interactions of 37,328 Last.fm users in 45 countries before and after the first wave of confinement, using robust causal inference methods: difference in differences (DiD) and two-way fixed effects (TWFE). The results revealed that, in response to COVID-19, there was a decline in the quantity, variety, and novelty of music consumption, with a shift towards mainstream artists. However, our analysis also found that users with more online social connections and communications exhibited the opposite behaviour. This study provides guidance for the development of innovative design strategies for digital media, including music, movies, and games.

year: 2023

title: Symmetry and separation of variables for the Hamilton–Jacobi equation W2t −W2x  −W2y  =0

authors: Boyer, C.P.

subjects: Mathematics

abstract: We present a detailed group theoretical study of the problem of separation of variables for the characteristic equation of the wave equation in one time and two space dimensions. Using the well-known Lie algebra isomorphism between canonical vector fields under the Lie bracket operation and functions (modulo constants) under Poisson brackets, we associate, with each R-separable coordinate system of the equation, an orbit of commuting constants of the motion which are quadratic members of the universal enveloping algebra of the symmetry algebra o (3,2). In this, the first of two papers, we essentially restrict ourselves to those orbits where one of the constants of the motion can be split off, giving rise to a reduced equation with a nontrivial symmetry algebra. Our analysis includes several of the better known two-body problems, including the harmonic oscillator and Kepler problems, as special cases.

text: Symmetry and separation of variables for the Hamilton–Jacobi equation W2t −W2x  −W2y  =0 We present a detailed group theoretical study of the problem of separation of variables for the characteristic equation of the wave equation in one time and two space dimensions. Using the well-known Lie algebra isomorphism between canonical vector fields under the Lie bracket operation and functions (modulo constants) under Poisson brackets, we associate, with each R-separable coordinate system of the equation, an orbit of commuting constants of the motion which are quadratic members of the universal enveloping algebra of the symmetry algebra o (3,2). In this, the first of two papers, we essentially restrict ourselves to those orbits where one of the constants of the motion can be split off, giving rise to a reduced equation with a nontrivial symmetry algebra. Our analysis includes several of the better known two-body problems, including the harmonic oscillator and Kepler problems, as special cases.

year: 1978-01

title: The Te Kotahitanga observation tool: Development, use, reliability and validity

authors: Berryman, Mere

subjects: School reform

abstract: Te Kotahitanga is a New Zealand school reform project aimed at improving the pedagogical contexts in mainstream classrooms in which the indigenous Māori students have traditionally been marginalised. It does this by assisting teachers to implement an Effective Teaching Profile. Part of this process uses an observation tool to monitor the degree to which participating teachers are incorporating the interactions and relationships described in the Effective Teaching Profile into their day-to-day teaching. Given the central importance of these tasks, the Te Kotahitanga team undertook to test the observation tool for measurement reliability and validity. In order to undertake this study, the team conducted synchronous observations amongst trainers (the Professional Development Coordinator and Regional Coordinators) to ascertain their level of consistency when using the tool. The team then conducted synchronous observations between trainers and 38 in-school facilitators in the 12 schools involved in Phase 3 of the project. In total 41 teachers were observed and over 200 Māori students were involved in these observations. This study suggests that the tool can produce consistent and reliable results when observers have been effectively trained.

text: The Te Kotahitanga observation tool: Development, use, reliability and validity Te Kotahitanga is a New Zealand school reform project aimed at improving the pedagogical contexts in mainstream classrooms in which the indigenous Māori students have traditionally been marginalised. It does this by assisting teachers to implement an Effective Teaching Profile. Part of this process uses an observation tool to monitor the degree to which participating teachers are incorporating the interactions and relationships described in the Effective Teaching Profile into their day-to-day teaching. Given the central importance of these tasks, the Te Kotahitanga team undertook to test the observation tool for measurement reliability and validity. In order to undertake this study, the team conducted synchronous observations amongst trainers (the Professional Development Coordinator and Regional Coordinators) to ascertain their level of consistency when using the tool. The team then conducted synchronous observations between trainers and 38 in-school facilitators in the 12 schools involved in Phase 3 of the project. In total 41 teachers were observed and over 200 Māori students were involved in these observations. This study suggests that the tool can produce consistent and reliable results when observers have been effectively trained.

year: 2015