Abstract

Abstract
In response to recent calls for further cross-disciplinary research on austerity and a deeper sociological understanding of the impact and aftermath of the economic crisis on individuals and societies, this article builds on extant austerity literature through an exploration of its effects on European men. Informed by theories of liminality and rites of passage, this qualitative investigation examines the experience of austerity from the perspective of 11 men through the three liminal stages of separation, transition and reaggregation and investigates its impact on their identity, responsibilities and expectations. Our findings reveal the negative experiences of alienation and outsiderhood alongside positive experiences of communitas, solidarity and comradeship. The study provides a nuanced understanding of modern male Europeans and their rites of passage' through austere times.

Abstract
The MOOC (Massive Open Online Courses) are the latest training model offered. They are online training courses, open and free, and for massive access. But are these features enough to attract potential participants? What are the characteristics of those who are most likely to enroll in a MOOC? To address these and other underlying issues a quantitative methodology was adopted, in the form of an online survey. The study was applied to the adult population of Aveiro district (Portugal) with over nine years of schooling. The sample consists of 424 individuals, and its sociodemographic characteristics equivalent to the population under study. 86.6% of the participants were unaware of the MOOC concept, but there are no significant differences in perceptions about the MOOC among those who knew and those who did not know the concept. The intention to participate in a MOOC is higher among the younger, the ones who have an academic degree, the more autonomous in terms of learning, the ones that have higher Internet and social network skills, the ones who already knew the concept, and who predict change on their employment status. This study provides clues to the identification of target segments and promotion strategies for MOOCs offered in Portugal.

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Abstract
This article addresses the zone of tolerance (ZOT) as a diagnosis tool for managing the quality of information systems' (IS) service delivered to internal customers. It aims to contribute to a better understanding of internal customers' ZOT by considering the frequency of use and skills in IS as explanatory factors. A survey was administered to the internal users of one company's IS department. 276 valid questionnaires were obtained, representing a response rate of 70%. The results show that internal customers have narrow zone of tolerance, which differ according to the users' IS skills and how frequently they use the IS support service; occasional users and skilled users are the least susceptible to heterogeneity in the service delivery. This approach enables IS management to focus on users' expectations, making service delivery more efficient by allocating the resources where they are most needed. Copyright © 2017 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.

Abstract
This paper aims to provide a closer look at consumers' attitude toward Facebook advertising by providing a comparison between attitude toward brand posts and ads, a topic that has been disregarded in the extant literature. It also considers the relationship with the users' ad avoidance and electronic word-of-mouth communication. An exploratory quantitative analysis was performed by means of a structured self-administered questionnaire. 385 individuals aged between 18 and 44 participated in the study. The results include evidence on respondents' more favourable attitude toward brand posts than toward Facebook ads. Moreover, ads are considered more annoying by those who spend more time on Facebook. These results help shed the light on how Facebook users handle ads and brand posts, offering some clues for a more effective social media marketing strategy. Copyright © 2017 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.