Introduction to the special issue on social media and government

First Monday ◽  
2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodrigo Sandoval-Almazan ◽  
Andrea L. Kavanaugh
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Public Officials ◽  
Public Servants ◽  
Non Profit ◽  
Information Power ◽  
Governmental Organizations ◽  
Non Governmental Organizations ◽  
Government Planning ◽  
Use Of Social Media

The use of social media by public administration has been growing steadily, and fostering important transformations in organization, costs, citizen interaction and efficiency. Citizens are increasingly more informed about government activities, performance, and claims solutions. Citiizens and non-profit organizations are in greater communication with each other about government planning and response to complex and collective problems. Social media, such as Facebook, Twitter, You Tube and WhatsApp, as well as related tools, such as commenting, liking, tagging and rating, change the distribution of information, power and resources. The growing maturity of public officials in the use of these tools not only creates new opportunities, but also engenders problems. Many politicians, public officials and public servants are seeking ways to adapt their daily operations and practices to make effective use of social media for interaction with non-governmental organizations and with citizens and to provide information and services more efficiently. The papers in this special issue on social media and government capture the current state of some of these opportunities and problems.

Recounting the Empowerment of Women in Rural Areas of KwaZulu-Natal from Information and Knowledge in the Fourth Industrial Revolution Era

Libri ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Glenrose Jiyane
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Industrial Revolution ◽  
The Body ◽  
Non Profit ◽  
Fourth Industrial Revolution ◽  
Governmental Organizations ◽  
Body Of Knowledge ◽  
Non Governmental Organizations ◽  
Critical Resource

Abstract The fourth industrial revolution (4IR) marks the new, advanced era of development in humankind, and globally countries are in the process of ensuring their citizenry’s readiness. In South Africa, various governmental departments, organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and non-profit organisations (NPOs) are making efforts, through their plans, talks and actions, to attain this status for all her people, particularly women in rural areas. However, the development of women in the rural areas for empowerment remains a concern in developing countries. Consequently, there is a dire need to ensure the developmental status for women in rural areas in the advent of the 4IR, and this paper seeks to demonstrate that information and knowledge may be instrumental in empowering women in rural areas to strive in the 4IR. Accordingly, information and knowledge are a critical resource contributing to the empowerment of women in rural areas for their development. An exploratory question is raised to determine whether South Africa is ready for Fourth Industrial Revolution. The outcome of this paper will contribute to the body of knowledge advocating the importance of information and knowledge in the empowerment of women in rural areas. Significantly, it will generate insights for policymakers on the important role of information and knowledge for women’s development.

From lords of war to leaders in society: How former Liberian warlords have used ‘old’ and ‘new’ media to self-reframe

2012 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
Geraldine O’Mahony ◽  
Jo Ellen Fair
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
New Media ◽  
Public Servants ◽  
Faith Based ◽  
Post Conflict ◽  
Use Of Social Media ◽  
Born Again

The process of post-conflict reconstruction in Liberia involves an array of actors vying for power. Many of the key political and civic figures involved are former warlords, whose reigns of terror affected many they now work with and serve. By reframing themselves through social media these warlords have created new centers of power, embracing their new roles as public servants and renouncing past acts of terrorism. This article focuses on two of Liberia’s most notorious former warlords, Prince Johnson and Joshua Blahyi. Johnson, now Senator Johnson, was best known for swilling beer while he conducted the video-taped torture of President Doe. Joshua Blahyi, formerly General Butt Naked, who infamously drank children’s blood before running naked into battle, is now a born-again preacher with his own faith-based NGO. We argue that their use of social media has enabled them to reconstruct and reframe their ‘past lives’, ensuring these cannot become political liabilities.

scholarly journals A Qualitative Investigation on Work in NGOs: The Case of Songkhla Province of Thailand

2013 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 79
Author(s):  
Phathara-on Wesarat ◽  
Mohmad Yazam Sharif ◽  
Abdul Halim Abdul Majid
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Method ◽  
Participant Observation ◽  
University Graduates ◽  
Meaning Of Work ◽  
Non Profit ◽  
Governmental Organizations ◽  
Non Governmental Organizations ◽  
Depth Study ◽  
Research Questions ◽  
Depth Interviews

The concept of work in Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) specifically in Songkhla province of Thailand is highlighted in this paper. The study assumed that the meaning of work in NGOs is different from other types of organizations such as business and governmental organizations. NGO operations are seen to be different in terms of their goals when compared to those organizations. Even though research on work had been widely conducted in the business as well as the governmental sectors worldwide, few studies on this issue had been done in the NGO or non-profit sector. The concept of work in NGOs needs to be explored further in order for interested parties to get a true understanding of the nature of work in NGO sector. The research questions posed in this paper relate to how and why the work in NGOs influences the NGO professionals. The objective of this paper is to present some findings based on an in-depth study on the meaning of work in NGOs. This study consists of two core aspects of work: subjective and objective aspects. The respondents in this paper were 16 professionals (i.e. university graduates) selected from five local NGOs in Songkhla province of Thailand. This study used a mixed method within qualitative approach comprising in-depth interviews, non-participant observation, and secondary documents. This study showed that the NGO professionals had given high values on the subjective aspects of work because they were seeking fulfillment from work, while the objective aspects of work were seen to be less important to them.

scholarly journals Politicians and political parties’ use of social media in-between elections

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 91-103 ◽  
Author(s):  
Todd Graham ◽  
Julia Schwanholz
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Political Parties ◽  
Political Representation ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Digital Transformation ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Pros And Cons ◽  
State Of Research ◽  
Use Of Social Media ◽  
The Relationship

Digital transformation changes the relationship between citizens and politics. The observation of this nexus is highly relevant for representative democracy. After the successful 2008 Obama campaign, a vast body of research that explores how and why politicians use social media has emerged. However, we still know very little about how social media are being adopted and used in-between elections, and still less yet about what this means for political representation. Therefore, this special issue brings together innovative research that focuses on how the use of social media is impacting upon the relationship between politicians and political parties, and citizens. First, we discuss some pros and cons of this transformation in the context of the relevant literature and, especially, in relation to Stephen Coleman’s concept of ‘direct representation’. Finally, we discuss the findings and merits of the contributions and what the issue adds to our understanding of the phenomenon to the state of research.

Analysis and Comparison of the Role of Local Governments With Other Policy Actors in Disaster Relief via Social Media

2019 ◽  
pp. 579-601
Author(s):  
Mete Yildiz ◽  
Kamil Demirhan
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Media Use ◽  
Disaster Relief ◽  
Effective Means ◽  
Social Media Use ◽  
Policy Actors ◽  
Governmental Organizations ◽  
Non Governmental Organizations ◽  
Communication And Coordination

This chapter examines the social media use by local governments, and other policy actors (government agencies, non-governmental organizations and citizens) after the 2011 Van Earthquake in Turkey. This study is different from others examining social media use of just one policy actor after a disaster; as it compares and contrasts the performance of different policy actors with that of local governments. To this end, contents of the messages posted on selected Facebook pages after the earthquake are analyzed. The findings include examples of effective social media use for disaster relief and recovery, as well as detailed information about the nature and functioning of “multiple/parallel systems of public service/information delivery”, more than one electronic channel of communication and coordination simultaneously connecting people and organizations. The findings suggest that, if institutional arrangements conducive to collaborations are present, social media platforms can be effective means of disaster relief and recovery, especially for communication among citizens after a disaster.

Boosting E-Participation

2018 ◽  
pp. 103-125
Author(s):  
David Valle-Cruz ◽  
Rodrigo Sandoval-Almazan
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
The State ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Public Servants ◽  
Municipal Governments ◽  
Government Services ◽  
Significant Growth ◽  
Use Of Social Media

In this chapter, the authors show two case studies of the use of social media in municipal governments: Lerma, a small municipality with a significant growth, and Metepec, an important municipality of the State of México. The purpose of this chapter is to provide empirical evidence of how social media improves government to citizen relationship and promotes e-participation in municipal governments. The results are based on semi-structured interviews applied to public servants and a survey to evaluate e-government services by citizens. So, the citizen perception is contrasted with public servants' interviews. Citizens consider that electronic procedures and services implemented by their municipalities do not generate value. The efforts of governments should focus on avoiding corruption, making governments transparent, opening data, and properly managing the privacy of information.

scholarly journals Sex Work and Social Media: Online Advocacy Strategies

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Emma E. Duke ◽  
Kathleen C. Sitter ◽  
Nicole Boggan
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Sex Work ◽  
Sex Workers ◽  
Online Communication ◽  
Service Organizations ◽  
Non Profit ◽  
Safe Spaces ◽  
Social Media Platforms ◽  
Use Of Social Media ◽  
Media Channels

Online communication continues to provide opportunities to connect, mobilize and disseminate information amongst direct service organizations. While the use of social media among non-profits continues to expand, there is a paucity of research that documents the extent to which online channels – particularly social media – are adopted and used amongst organizations that support sex workers. Online advocacy efforts have grown over the last decade, with sex workers and non-profit organizations at the forefront. This article evaluates the presence and social media strategies amongst organizations providing direct services for sex workers in Canada. Eighty-seven organizations operating in Canada were examined to assess both the types of social media channels used, and the online strategies employed. Results indicate there is a propensity for agencies to engage in multiple social media platforms with spaces for service users to post information in lieu of static sites that predominantly support one-way communication. Recommendations and best practices include integrating postings across platforms for efficiency, developing and maintaining safe spaces online, and focusing on channels that support multilogue communication.             Keywords:  Sex work, social media, knowledge

scholarly journals Unpacking the Drivers of Stakeholder Engagement in Sustainable Water Management: NGOs and the Use of Facebook

Water ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 775 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juana Alonso-Cañadas ◽  
Federico Galán-Valdivieso ◽  
Laura Saraite-Sariene ◽  
María del Carmen Caba-Perez
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Stakeholder Engagement ◽  
Resource Dependence ◽  
Water Shortage ◽  
Resource Dependence Theory ◽  
Governmental Organizations ◽  
Non Governmental Organizations ◽  
Social Message ◽  
Communication Policies

The number of people worldwide without access to safe drinking water or adequate sanitation is an unresolved and growing concern, with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) playing an important role in mitigating the effects of water shortage. These organizations utilize the communication mechanisms at their disposal, such as social media, to help spread their social message and to achieve the commitment of society to their cause. In this context and based on dialogic and the resource dependence theory framework, the main aim of this research is to analyze how organizational structure, resource allocation and communication policies of NGOs focused on water management influence the online commitment of their stakeholders. Exploratory results show that these NGOs are not taking enough advantage of social media to engage with their potential donors and volunteers because of the remarkable difference between the management of Facebook posts and users’ behavior. Using multivariate lineal regression, our findings show that certain structural (namely, size, reputation and board size), economic (fundraising expenses) and social media (number of Facebook fans) characteristics positively influence stakeholder engagement, while administrative spending and a broad presence in many social networks straitens the ability of these type of NGOs to attract and retain stakeholders’ commitment through social media.

Improving the Effectiveness of Multilateral Trade Negotiations: A Synopsis

2012 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cecilia Albin
Keyword(s):  
Negotiation Process ◽  
International Negotiation ◽  
Trade Negotiations ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Multilateral Trade ◽  
Governmental Organizations ◽  
Non Governmental Organizations ◽  
The World ◽  
Domestic Level

Abstract This special issue of International Negotiation explores from different perspectives how multilateral trade negotiations, primarily within the World Trade Organization (WTO), can become more effective. The challenges associated with this task have grown, as the parties and issues involved in such talks have increased in number and diversity. The specific topics addressed include the role of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and domestic-level factors, agenda management, legitimacy and procedural issues, turning points, the challenge posed by the pursuit of bilateral and regional alternatives, and the question of gains to be had from multilateralism. The conclusions drawn from these studies are wide-ranging and relevant for multilateral negotiations generally. They highlight, among other matters, the significance of decision-making procedures used in the negotiation process.

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