Challenges of Analyzing Informal Virtual Communities

2011 ◽  
pp. 585-593
Author(s):  
Nancy Poon ◽  
Ben K. Daniel
Keyword(s):  
Content Analysis ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Theoretical Model ◽  
Virtual Communities ◽  
Physical Structure ◽  
Interaction Patterns ◽  
Community Members

Drawing from previous research, this chapter presents major challenges associated with the analysis of interaction patterns in informal virtual communities. Using social network as well as content analysis to understand the structure and nature of interaction in such virtual communities, the goal was understand the physical structure of the community as well as the nature of the themes discussed by community members in an attempt to build a theoretical model of interactions.

scholarly journals It is rotating leaders who build the swarm: social network determinants of growth for healthcare virtual communities of practice

2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (5) ◽  
pp. 1218-1239 ◽  
Author(s):  
Grazia Antonacci ◽  
Andrea Fronzetti Colladon ◽  
Alessandro Stefanini ◽  
Peter Gloor
Keyword(s):  
Social Network ◽  
Communities Of Practice ◽  
Virtual Communities ◽  
Semantic Analysis ◽  
Interaction Patterns ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Virtual Communities Of Practice ◽  
Community Growth ◽  
Web Platform

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify the factors influencing the growth of healthcare virtual communities of practice (VCoPs) through a seven-year longitudinal study conducted using metrics from social-network and semantic analysis. By studying online communication along the three dimensions of social interactions (connectivity, interactivity and language use), the authors aim to provide VCoP managers with valuable insights to improve the success of their communities. Design/methodology/approach Communications over a period of seven years (April 2008 to April 2015) and between 14,000 members of 16 different healthcare VCoPs coexisting on the same web platform were analysed. Multilevel regression models were used to reveal the main determinants of community growth over time. Independent variables were derived from social network and semantic analysis measures. Findings Results show that structural and content-based variables predict the growth of the community. Progressively, more people will join a community if its structure is more centralised, leaders are more dynamic (they rotate more) and the language used in the posts is less complex. Research limitations/implications The available data set included one Web platform and a limited number of control variables. To consolidate the findings of the present study, the experiment should be replicated on other healthcare VCoPs. Originality/value The study provides useful recommendations for setting up and nurturing the growth of professional communities, considering, at the same time, the interaction patterns among the community members, the dynamic evolution of these interactions and the use of language. New analytical tools are presented, together with the use of innovative interaction metrics, that can significantly influence community growth, such as rotating leadership.

Support while control: the influence of embeddedness on virtual community participation

2019 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
pp. 625-637 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiao Deng ◽  
Bo Gao ◽  
Lei Chen
Keyword(s):  
Social Network ◽  
Community Participation ◽  
Network Theory ◽  
Virtual Communities ◽  
Virtual Community ◽  
Social Network Theory ◽  
Social Embeddedness ◽  
Curvilinear Relationship ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Content Type

PurposeExploring the antecedents of members community participation is extremely important for virtual communities (VCs) research and practice. As an important social characteristic of individuals, social embeddedness has been proved as an important antecedent of many individual behaviors; however, few research has investigated the influence of virtual community members social embeddedness on virtual community members’ participation. To fill this gap, the purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between social embeddedness and community participation in VCs.Design/methodology/approachThis paper conducted empirical study to test the hypotheses. Based on existing scales, this research designed the questionnaire and used a web-based survey to collect the data from VCs in China. To avoid the common method bias, this study collected data at two different times. The final sample included 96 virtual community members from seven communities (community size ranging from 10 to 25) of Baidu Tieba, which is the largest Chinese online communication platform. And this paper used regression models to analysis the data.FindingsBased on social network theory, this paper found that virtual community members’ social embeddedness in their virtual community has a curvilinear (i.e. inverted U-shaped) effect on their community participation behaviors. And members’ perceived autonomy mediates the curvilinear (i.e. reversed U-shaped) relationship between social network embeddedness and community participation. Furthermore, member instability moderates the curvilinear (i.e. inverted U-shaped) main effect, such that the curvilinear relationship is weakened when member instability is high.Originality/valueDeparting from previous virtual community studies that examine antecedences of participation in linear logic, this study applied social network theory to create a complex, curvilinear, moderated mediation model. The result reveals a curvilinear (i.e. inverted U-shaped) relationship between virtual community members’ social embeddedness in the virtual community and their community participation. And this study also introduce autonomy as mediator and member instability as moderator. By testing the whole model between community members’ social embeddedness and community participation, this study contributes to deepen the understanding of social embeddedness and virtual community participation.

Facebook als corporate-communicatietool voor bedrijven?

2015 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hannelore Crijns PhD ◽  
Liselot Hudders ◽  
Verolien Cauberghe ◽  
An-Sofie Claeys
Keyword(s):  
Content Analysis ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Public Relations ◽  
Communication Strategies ◽  
Corporate Communication ◽  
Marketing Communication ◽  
Communication Tool ◽  
Social Network Site ◽  
Network Site ◽  
The Social

Facebook as a corporate communication tool for companies? A content analysis of the communication strategies of reputable Belgian companies on the social network site Facebook as a corporate communication tool for companies? A content analysis of the communication strategies of reputable Belgian companies on the social network site This study used a quantitative content analysis to investigate how twelve reputable Belgian companies use Facebook as a corporate communication tool. Findings indicate that companies use Facebook more often to post public relations than marketing communication content. The former is also more often shared than the latter. However, the latter creates more engagement in terms of reactions of the company on comments of users. Furthermore, about one fourth of the company posts did not generate any written reactions from users and can be classified as one-way communication. Almost 40% of the posts generated reactions from the users. To conclude, in one third of the cases companies reacted on these reactions of users, and results reveal that this is more often the case when it concerns public relations content than marketing communication content. Reputation score was not able to predict the communication strategy used on Facebook.

scholarly journals Examining Cross-Industry Collaboration in Sharing Economy Based On Social Exchange and Social Network Theories

2020 ◽  
pp. 29-41
Author(s):  
Cheng-Wen Lee ◽  
Hao-Yuan Yu
Keyword(s):  
Content Analysis ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Social Exchange ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Sharing Economy ◽  
Jel Classification ◽  
Industry Collaboration ◽  
Multiple Case ◽  
The Cost

Information technology and advanced online environments have reduced the cost of these exchange activities and triggered the emergence of the sharing economy. Con-sequently, public attitude toward the sharing economy has gradually shifted from re-luctance to acceptance. Moreover, the sharing economy has revolutionized the busi-ness models and viewpoints of conventional industries, and sharing service providers have gradually shifted from an independent to a collaborative stance, thereby affect-ing conventional economies. This study interprets the phenomenon of cross-industry collaboration in the sharing economy through social exchange and social network the-ories. A multiple-case research framework is used to examine tourism and service in-dustries. Secondary data of service providers and users on sharing platforms are ana-lyzed using content analysis, supplemented with a content analysis of the interview data of three hotel executives. The varying phenomena of the conventional and shar-ing economies on social exchange and social network were compared. Finally, this paper proposes conclusions and practical recommendations according to the analytical results. JEL classification numbers: D85, M31, L14. Keywords: Cross-Industry Collaboration, Sharing Economy, Social Exchange, Social Network.

scholarly journals Implementation of Linguistic politeness throughout Online Lectures via WhatsApp during the Covid-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 195-211
Author(s):  
Nur Ihsan Halil ◽  
Takwa ◽  
Musliha
Keyword(s):  
Content Analysis ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Data Analysis ◽  
Data Collection ◽  
Training And Education ◽  
Linguistic Politeness ◽  
Online Lectures ◽  
Analysis Technique ◽  
Online Lecture ◽  
Data Collection Technique

This research aims to investigate the implementation of politeness in the language of lecturers and students as well as students and students through online lectures at the Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, Universitas Sembilanbelas November Kolaka on the WhatsApp application. The research methodology used is descriptive qualitative with a focus on research, namely the fulfillment and violations of the principles of politeness in the language contained in online lecture conversations on WhatsApp. The data collection technique uses documentation or screenshots, and the data analysis technique uses content analysis methods with inductive procedures. The results indicate that the communication of lecturers to students and students to students based on the WhatsApp social network still pays attention to the principles of linguistic politeness in communication discourse. Based on the WhatsApp social network, students and lecturers can meet the principles of linguistic politeness, including maxim of wisdom, generosity, appreciation, simplicity, compatibility, and sympathy. However, there were also still some violations of the principle of politeness.

scholarly journals Dakwah Multimedia di Situs Jejaring Sosial Facebook

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 213-237
Author(s):  
Muhammad Anshar
Keyword(s):  
Information Technology ◽  
Content Analysis ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Islamic Law ◽  
Effective Communication ◽  
Analysis Approach ◽  
Internet Media

Abstract: This study discussed the themes of multimedia proselytising on Facebook used by Makassar's preachers as well as the usage of various forms of multimedia to convey messages to audiences (mad'u) through the Facebook social network. This research was a qualitative study using a content analysis approach. The results of the study stated that the themes conveyed by the preachers were aqidah (faith), sharia (Islamic law), akhlak (manner) morals, mu'amalah (dealings between people), and general messages, such as education, behaviour, and defending the country. While the forms of multimedia proselytising used by da'i (Islamic preachers) were the textual message, images, audio, and video. In addition, da'i needed to improve the quality of material and media da'wa by using information technology through internet media in order to get effective communication (da'wah).

scholarly journals СОЦІАЛЬНІ МЕРЕЖІ ЯК ЕФЕКТИВНЕ СЕРЕДОВИЩЕ ВИКЛАДАЦЬКО-СТУДЕНТСЬКОЇ КОМУНІКАЦІЇ В НАВЧАЛЬНОМУ ПРОЦЕСІ

2017 ◽  
Vol 58 (2) ◽  
pp. 155
Author(s):  
Nataliia M. Shulska ◽  
Nataliia M. Matviichuk
Keyword(s):  
Social Network ◽  
Educational Process ◽  
Eastern European ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Teacher Student ◽  
National University ◽  
Independent Work ◽  
Academic Year ◽  
Communicative Role

Within the article the authors analyze the feasibility of using social network «Vkontakte» as an effective environment for teacher-student communication on the example of teaching discipline «Editorial craftsmanship» (2015-2016 academic year). It was investigated the communicative role of the teacher and students during teaching / mastering course using a community «Editorial craftsmanship». Based on results of the survey community members – students training direction «Publishing and Editing» Lesya Ukrainka Eastern European National University it was found that this form of organization of educational process in extracurricular time is effective for students. Proved that it extends the communication component, is convenient at performance of independent work on course, provides additional consultations, makes learning accessible, informal, interactive and creative.

scholarly journals JORNALISMO REGIONAL NAS REDES SOCIAIS: a cobertura político-eleitoral na fanpage do jornal o estado do Maranhão

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (6) ◽  
pp. 347-381
Author(s):  
Michele Goulart Massuchin ◽  
Regilson Furtado Borges
Keyword(s):  
Social Networks ◽  
Content Analysis ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
The Political ◽  
Redes Sociales ◽  
Digital Part ◽  
Palabras Clave ◽  
The Social ◽  
La Red

Este artigo apresenta uma análise sobre como o jornal O Estado do Maranhão (MA) se apropria da sua página no Facebook como espaço para difundir conteúdo jornalístico. A abordagem metodológica é quantitativa e qualitativa a partir da análise do conteúdo de 608 posts extraídos da fanpage do jornal e de entrevista com a responsável pela versão digital do veículo. A pesquisa tem por objetivo analisar as características dos conteúdos distribuídos pela rede social, especialmente observando o espaço destinado para temas políticos e eleitorais. A análise trabalha com as seguintes características: temas, tema eleitoral, abrangência, valência e interação. Como resultado principal ressalta-se que O Estado do Maranhão concedeu espaço considerável para o tema político-eleitoral, com baixa presença de entretenimento.   PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Jornalismo; redes sociais; eleições.   ABSTRACT This article presents an analysis of how the newspaper O Estado de Maranhão (MA) appropriates the Facebook page as a space for disseminating journalistic content. The methodological approach is quantitative and qualitative from the content analysis of 608 posts extracted from the fanpage of the newspaper and interview with the responsible for digital part of the vehicle. The research aims to analyze the characteristics of the contents distributed by the social network, especially observing the space destined for electoral subjects. The analysis discuses these characteristics: themes, electoral theme, scope and engagement. As a main result, O Estado do Maranhão granted considerable space for the political-electoral theme.   KEYWORDS: journalism; social networks; elections.     RESUMEN Este artículo presenta un análisis sobre cómo el diario El Estado de Maranhão (MA) se apropia de su página en Facebook como espacio para difundir contenido periodístico. El enfoque metodológico es cuantitativo y cualitativo a partir del análisis del contenido de 608 posts extraídos de la fanpage del periódico y de entrevista con la responsable de la parte digital del vehículo. La investigación tiene por objetivo analizar las características de los contenidos distribuidos por la red social, especialmente observando el espacio destinado a temas electorales. El análisis trabaja con las siguientes características: temas, tema electoral, alcance y la relación com os lectores. Como resultado principal se resalta que el Estado de Maranhão concedió espacio considerable para el tema político-electoral.   PALABRAS CLAVE: periodismo, redes sociales, elecciones.  

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