International audience ; In this paper, we deal with a kinetic model to describe the evolution of the opinion in a closed group with respect to a choice between multiple options, e.g. political parties, which takes into account two main mechanisms of opinion formation, namely the interaction between individuals and the effect of the mass media. We provide an existence and uniqueness result for the model, and then we numerically test it in some relevant cases.
International audience ; In this paper, we deal with a kinetic model to describe the evolution of the opinion in a closed group with respect to a choice between multiple options, e.g. political parties, which takes into account two main mechanisms of opinion formation, namely the interaction between individuals and the effect of the mass media. We provide an existence and uniqueness result for the model, and then we numerically test it in some relevant cases.
International audience ; In this paper, we deal with a kinetic model to describe the evolution of the opinion in a closed group with respect to a choice between multiple options, e.g. political parties, which takes into account two main mechanisms of opinion formation, namely the interaction between individuals and the effect of the mass media. We provide an existence and uniqueness result for the model, and then we numerically test it in some relevant cases.
A study of the role of influentials (INF's) in 4 Swedish communities - the industrial communities of Vasteras & Kolsva, the city of Malmo, & the Ru community of Bralanda - to discover to what extent the 2-step hypothesis of COMM is applicable in Sweden, & to examine the soc characteristics of Swedish opinion leaders. The communities, & the nature of the INF's therein, are described & the results of 112 personal interviews with INF's are presented. The general hypothesis is upheld, though 'INF' has been used in this case to designate a group which influence; PO in communities, whereas in many US studies it refers to a group which influences policy decisions. 'One feature which seems to distinguish Swedish communities from US communities is the prominent role played by leaders of the labor org's in the power & influence groups.' This reflects a basic diff between Swedish & US pol'al life. I. Taviss.
Discussed are the kinds of information needed to clarify the role of mass media as channels of communication under varying conditions. This role will be a function of their availability and distribution within an area, which raises two questions: (1) the relation between accessibility and exposure, & (2) the restrictions on accessibility and resistance to exposure in various countries. Restricted accessibility may lead to innovations in distributions such as public listening to radios in Turkish coffee houses, wired radio, and newspaper reading to small groups. This may lead to restrictions on the character of exposure, reducing the number of possible interpretations. Comparative studies of accessibility and exposure need to be supplemented by inquiries into the attitudes which people have toward particular media. Since the content of mass media is often transmitted to people unexposed to the media, the role of informal channels must be studied. The relative importance of different channels is determined by accessibility and by content of material being communicated. Research designs should distinguish people for whom communications perform different functions, e.g., within the same primary group, those who experience greater exposure and use this to develop leadership positions. In areas relying largely on oral channels, different kinds of news are likely to have higher currency than in areas well covered by mass media. Inaccessibility of daily news may lead to certain types being assigned a more enduring value and regarded as still worth learning about weeks later. As more news filters in, the traditional communication structure of many communities is likely to undergo continuous change. It is suggested that interdisciplinary cooperation in the study of comparative communication will increase knowledge of communications as well as individual disciplines. R. S. Halpern.
Purpose The purpose of this paper is to define the sustainable university in Turkey, by considering perspectives of various stakeholders such as experts, intellectual, public, political parties and media using public opinion formation analysis. The paper aims to re-define the "sustainable university" with all dimensions including environmental, economic and social factors in Turkey.
Design/methodology/approach In this study, the model of shaping the policy agenda and public opinion formation by certain groups, presented by Papadakis (1996), was used to determine the main characteristics of a sustainable university. Based on this model, the researchers collected data from intellectuals, experts, political parties, media and public simultaneously. Focus groups and archival search were used.
Findings The results of the public opinion formation process presented that the definition of sustainable universities in Turkey includes the economic, ecological and social aspects and a holistic view of different groups. The findings of the study presented that the definition of sustainable universities in Turkey has many facets. Different groups in the public opinion formation process share almost similar views, though these points are usually mentioned under different headings. Thus, nearly each respondent in the public opinion formation process discusses the concept of being a "trade mark" as a university.
Research limitations/implications The research may lack generalizability, as it takes place in Turkey, which is a non-Western country.
Practical implications The research sheds a light for universities, which are the major cornerstones of higher education, especially in the area of sustainability and sustainable development. Also, universities have a great impact in regional development, which stresses once again the importance of sustainability in higher education. They should modify their education programs and curricula in accordance with sustainability. University–industry cooperation should be provided. They should manage to become a trademark.
Social implications Universities being the major cornerstones of higher education play a vital role in regional development of countries; therefore, their sustainable development should be well handled to enable regional development.
Originality/value The universities are the major actors which should pursue sustainability, as they affect society. The studies on sustainability and universities have been generally grouped under two main subjects in the literature. First group of studies highlights the support of universities for sustainability of corporations, whereas other studies stress the importance of becoming a sustainable university. There are not many studies on this subject which considers the public opinion formation process throughout the literature; therefore, this study contributes to the literature with this aspect. The study takes place in Izmir, Turkey, which is a non-Western country. Most of the studies on this subject take place in Western countries, so as the study is deployed in a non-Western country, it reflects a different point of view.
Competition is a defining element of democracy. One of the most noteworthy events over the last quarter-century in U.S. politics is the change in the nature of elite party competition: The parties have become increasingly polarized. Scholars and pundits actively debate how these elite patterns influence polarization among the public (e.g., have citizens also become more ideologically polarized?). Yet, few have addressed what we see as perhaps more fundamental questions: Has elite polarization altered the way citizens arrive at their policy opinions in the first place and, if so, in what ways? We address these questions with a theory and two survey experiments (on the issues of drilling and immigration). We find stark evidence that polarized environments fundamentally change how citizens make decisions. Specifically, polarization intensifies the impact of party endorsements on opinions, decreases the impact of substantive information and, perhaps ironically, stimulates greater confidence in those—less substantively grounded—opinions. We discuss the implications for public opinion formation and the nature of democratic competition.
