Close menu

SURE

Sunderland Repository records the research produced by the University of Sunderland including practice-based research and theses.

Understanding participation styles within teen Virtual Worlds: A comparison of UK & Finnish users.

Ward, Janet and Gummerus, Johanna (2014) Understanding participation styles within teen Virtual Worlds: A comparison of UK & Finnish users. In: Children & Teen Consumption Conference Proceedings., 2014. (Unpublished)

Item Type: Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)

Abstract

Abstract

Purpose
Teens spend an increasing amount of time online particularly in teen-based virtual worlds such as Habbo Hotel™ & Stardoll™. Research to date has focused on identity and personal development highlighting issues such as bullying. This research aims to identify the participation styles of teen users and reflects the international nature of this market by undertaking a two-country comparison of users.
Methodology
A phenomenological approach is taken informed by Consumer Culture Theory. Wide ranging discovery interviews will yield rich data. UK and Finnish nationals in their home countries will carry out interviews.
Findings
The exploratory interviews will generate detailed narrative accounts of how teenagers engage with these virtual worlds and how they fit within their lived experience. The interviews are being undertaken during October/November 2013. Analysis and interpretation of the findings from these discovery interviews will be submitted in the full paper in February 2014.
Originality Value
Participation styles are identified in relation to both the socio-cultural context of the teenagers and the specific virtual world context. Comparing the UK and Finnish results will allow identification of participation styles and behaviours that may cross cultures and others that are cultural tied.

[img]
Preview
PDF
C__Users_LadyPenelope_Documents_CMC%2001-08-16_CTC2014_0077[1].pdf - Published Version

Download (324kB) | Preview

More Information

Depositing User: Janet Ward

Identifiers

Item ID: 8087
URI: http://sure.sunderland.ac.uk/id/eprint/8087

Users with ORCIDS

Catalogue record

Date Deposited: 11 Oct 2017 15:14
Last Modified: 20 May 2019 11:30

Contributors

Author: Janet Ward
Author: Johanna Gummerus

University Divisions

Faculty of Business, Law and Tourism

Subjects

Business and Management > Marketing

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item