Table 1 Findings Themes Main categories...

Table 1

Findings

Themes	Main categories	Subcategories	Emerging concepts
Value differences	Influencers	Self-promotion	Leaders = awareness of impacts; influencers concerned about product/image Leaders gain followers by sharing morals and values, while influencers gain followers by the content they post
	Leaders	Moral/ethical causes	An influencer is not a leader by default but can become a leader through certain causes/morals An influencer could be a leader if their platforms are positively utilized
	Leaders	Prosocial behaviors of leaders	Influencers can be leaders but are often managed by other people, whereas leaders give directions Influencers can turn to a leader if they allow the voices of their followers to be heard
Engagement	Active	Working with leaders	Followers are more actively engaged with the leader than fans with the influencers Fans may not practice the values of an influencer, but followers operate with a shared purpose
	Passive	Admiration	Fans just admire the influencers, while followers are committed to achieving the group's goals Fans = following an entity; followers are seeking someone to lead them
	Passive	Consuming Content	Fans only consume media content, but followers are committed to the group's goals Fans only consume content without engaging in any form of leadership, but followers have someone who is leading them
Degree of responsibility	Influencers are responsible	Awareness of power and influence	Influencers can hold their fans/followers accountable for their actions. There is a “social responsibility” with being an influencer and words used Influencers must be aware of their power and take responsibility for followers’ words/actions
Degree of responsibility	Influencers are not responsible	Individual responsibility of followers	Leaders have control over their followers, and while influencers cannot necessarily control what the follower does, they can't be held responsible for the action and inaction of the followers Influencers are not responsible for the words/actions of followers but can “influence” as role models through online platforms

Themes	Main categories	Subcategories	Emerging concepts
Value differences	Influencers	Self-promotion	Leaders = awareness of impacts; influencers concerned about product/imageLeaders gain followers by sharing morals and values, while influencers gain followers by the content they post
	Leaders	Moral/ethical causes	An influencer is not a leader by default but can become a leader through certain causes/moralsAn influencer could be a leader if their platforms are positively utilized
	Leaders	Prosocial behaviors of leaders	Influencers can be leaders but are often managed by other people, whereas leaders give directionsInfluencers can turn to a leader if they allow the voices of their followers to be heard
Engagement	Active	Working with leaders	Followers are more actively engaged with the leader than fans with the influencersFans may not practice the values of an influencer, but followers operate with a shared purpose
	Passive	Admiration	Fans just admire the influencers, while followers are committed to achieving the group's goalsFans = following an entity; followers are seeking someone to lead them
	Passive	Consuming Content	Fans only consume media content, but followers are committed to the group's goalsFans only consume content without engaging in any form of leadership, but followers have someone who is leading them
Degree of responsibility	Influencers are responsible	Awareness of power and influence	Influencers can hold their fans/followers accountable for their actions.There is a “social responsibility” with being an influencer and words usedInfluencers must be aware of their power and take responsibility for followers’ words/actions
Degree of responsibility	Influencers are not responsible	Individual responsibility of followers	Leaders have control over their followers, and while influencers cannot necessarily control what the follower does, they can't be held responsible for the action and inaction of the followersInfluencers are not responsible for the words/actions of followers but can “influence” as role models through online platforms

Note(s): The table shows the thematic analysis from students' discussion posts, three broad themes emerged, with six main categories, two from each broad theme with eight subcategories. The emerging concepts which include excerpts from students' responses give a broader explanation of the subcategories

Source(s): Table by authors

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