Social media and political participation : a case study of facebook as a plaftorm of communication, mobilization and action

Social media is increasingly used for political conversations and debate. In Hong Kong, social media has provided a convenient and accessible platform for stakeholders in the political arena to publicize their ideas and for users to be engaged in political discourse. This study aims at investigating the effects of social media on political participation among Hong Kong youth, who are generally regarded as “digital natives” and “critical citizens”. This study focuses on Facebook, the most widely-used social networking site in Hong Kong, and examines how Facebook use, connection and interactivity with political actors on Facebook, exposure to political information on Facebook and perceived information quality of Facebook relate to online and offline political participation among young people in Hong Kong. Questionnaires are collected from local post-secondary students and graduates aged between 18 and 29. Findings show that connection with political actors on Facebook and exposure to political information on Facebook mediate the impact of Facebook use on political participation, which echo the results of previous studies. Semistructured interviews are also conducted with sampled youth in order to explore the perception of Hong Kong youth on Facebook in terms of the intensity of interaction with political actors via Facebook pages and the quality of political information disseminated on Facebook. In light of the concept of public sphere and its later revisions, this research argues that social media add value to political engagement by offering alternative news and information source and facilitating a vibrant discussion of politics online. However, the effects of social media have to be qualified. Reactions to political information on Facebook and subsequent decisions on political participation also involve the expression of emotions and spontaneous response to a critical event, rather than merely depending on rational and critically informed debate. Explanations to the relationships between the variables are discussed. Sociological implications on the capabilities of social media in generating social capital and engaging users in the public sphere, as well as practical implications on the multidimensional use of social media applications and the usefulness of social media for stakeholders in socio-political aspects, are proposed. This study contributes to a greater understanding of the mobilization potential of social media in both online and offline political activism

Microbloggers’ motivations in participatory journalism: A cross-cultural study of America and China

This phenomenological study focuses on the motivations of participatory journalists contributing on microblogs such as Twitter and Weibo. Although online user behavior and motivations have been studied before, few studies have examined motivations of participatory journalists from their own perspective. Moreover, this study is one of the few to explore participatory journalists across different cultures (U.S. and China). The author conducted a total of 13 in-depth interviews with participatory journalists on microblogs from both countries and used a qualitative analysis method to identify the themes and patterns that emerged. Motivations such as earning respect, technology early adoption, self-expression, relationship building, self-enhancement, branding and image building, and financial gain were discussed. De-motivational factors such as time constraints and self-censorship were presented. Motivational differences between the two groups of participants, including what the microblog account represents and the role of participatory journalists, were explained by cultural differences collectivism versus individualism and power distance. Limitations and future research were also discussed

Testing influences of openness, conscientiousness, nationalism, media diversity, social class, and informational echo chambers on support for official responses to COVID-19 in Wuhan in November, 2020

IntroductionAs the COVID-19 pandemic raged, controversies about governmental responses to the epidemic also emerged in China. Previous studies mainly described the phenomenon of individual differences on support for governmental responses to COVID-19 with less attention to the underlying causal mechanisms. Thus, this study tries to verify the factors influencing public support for official behaviors in COVID-19.MethodA questionnaire survey was drew on in Wuhan city during the COVID-19 outbreak. The quota sampling method was adopted according to the gender and age structure of the population in Wuhan as well as the educational structure of the urban population in China.ResultsThrough structural equation analysis, this study confirms that personal factors (namely conscientiousness and nationalistic ideology), behavioral factors (namely media diversity and echo chamber acts) exert significantly positive impacts on support for governmental responses. The echo chamber acts play important mediating roles in the relationship between each independent variable and support for governmental responses.DiscussionThe originality of this study is that it constructs a comprehensive model of influencing factors of support for governmental responses with the personal, behavioral, and environmental factors. While contributing insight to political attitude in China, the research results also have significance for promoting public trust and constructing healthy public opinion in China

HUNTED BY THE CROWD: A QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS OF COLLABORATIVE INFORMATION SEARCHING IN CHINA

This study explores a particular form of cyber surveillance in China known as "human flesh search," in which unrelated Internet users collaboratively conduct surveillance on fellow citizens. Its theoretical framework draws up the notion of panoptic model, first articulated in the early 1800s by Jeremy Bentham and then developed by the French social theorist and philosopher Michel Foucault. Unlike some previous studies on human flesh searching, which focus on highly publicized search incidents, this study examines cyber surveillance in its daily practice, and probes how and why collaborative searches occur in China. It also explores structural constraints and empowerment experienced by search participants through the lens of power, in order to understand such a controversial activity. The study involved content analysis of a Chinese leading search forum--MOP Human Flesh Search Forum; an online survey with 158 search participants; and in-depth interviews with 9 search participants. The study found that Chinese human flesh search often took the forms of coveillance (peer-to-peer surveillance) and sousveillance (bottom-up surveillance). Fun-seeking was the primary motive for participants, who are mainly male youths; being helpful is the next. Privacy invasions and power abuses have complicated or even undermined search practices, limiting the potential of this activity to contribute to civil governance. In terms of empowerment, participating in the human flesh search seemed to give individual searchers a sense of empowerment, but such effects vary greatly depending on individuals' knowledge, social resources and search experiences. Privacy invasions and power abuses were consistently evident in searching practices, limiting the potential of this crowd-based searching, even when this is said to promote justice, to contribute to civil governance. The study also found that the panoptic model is still highly relevant and useful in understanding collaborative online surveillance, especially the function and effects of "gaze." Once conducted in a collective manner, the gaze of fellow citizens can be greatly extended in its reach and intensified by massive participation. The human flesh search mechanism studied here has great potential to profoundly change China's media landscape, but such potential is limited by current media censorship and the lack of accountability of search participants. Although the study examines searching phenomenon only in Chinese cyber space, the findings may shed light on similar surveillance practices which have emerged elsewhere in recent years. The whole question of citizen participation might benefit from the explication of the role of participation in this form of surveillance

Political communication

This review seeks to introduce political communication by showing the kinds of studies currently published. Of necessity not complete, it does not list every study nor does it include every possible approach to political communication, but only those published in the sample of journals—one hopes enough to indicate the scope of this wide area of communication stud

The impact of negative events in scenic spots on tourists' behavioral intention: an analysis from the perspective of event system theory

Tourism is an important economic activity in China representing about 11.04% of GDP and 10.29% of total employment. In recent years, negative events occurred frequently in Chinese tourism spots, especially in scenic spots, and tended to be promptly divulgated through social networks. The impact of these fast-running news on tourism activity is still to be appraised. This study reviews the literature on negative events, and e-word-of-mouth effects, jointly with personality characteristic theory, and consumer behavior intentions to address the impact of negative events on tourism. The study contributes to the existent knowledge by using the event theory system framework to explore how negative events affect tourists’ intentions concerning visiting places where negative events took place. The results are meaningful both theoretically and practically, showing that, on the one hand, the dimensions of space and intensity proposed by the event theory system have a significant impact on tourists’ behavior and, on another hand, tourists’ personality, namely risk-taking tendencies and openness, has a significant impact on tourists' willingness to recommend. Further, the study addresses its limitations and proposes management contributions, and future directions of research.O turismo é uma atividade muito importante na China representando cerca de 11.04% do seu PIB e 10.29% do seu emprego total. Recentemente, acontecimentos negativos têm ocorrido com frequência em locais turísticos, especialmente em locais de espetáculos, e têm sido rapidamente difundidos através das redes sociais. O impacto sobre a atividade turística destas notícias aceleradas está ainda por avaliar. Este trabalho revê a literatura sobre acontecimentos negativos e efeitos de difusão eletrónica "boca-a-boca", em conjunto com a teoria da personalidade e das intenções de consumo, para analisar o impacto de acontecimentos negativos no turismo. O estudo contribui para a literatura existente ao usar o quadro do "event theory system" para explorar como os acontecimentos negativos afetam as decisões dos turistas em visitar os locais onde estes ocorreram. Os resultados são significativos, quer do ponto de vista teórico, quer prático, demonstrando, por um lado, que as dimensões espaço e intensidade sugeridas pelo "event theory system" têm impacto significativo no comportamento dos turistas e, por outro, que a personalidade dos turistas, nomeadamente a sua tendência para aceitar o risco e a sua abertura, tem um impacto significativo na sua vontade de recomendar os locais afetados pelos acontecimentos negativos. Adicionalmente, o estudo discute as suas limitações e propõe contribuições para o processo de gestão, bem como linhas de investigação futuras

Behind the Great Firewall: The Internet and Democratization in China.

The Internet has changed China profoundly. For the government, the Internet offers prospects to develop economics, education, and technology. For the public, the Internet provides unprecedented opportunities for the free flow of information and communication. Many believe that the Internet will ultimately bring democracy to China, one of the few Communist countries remaining in the world. Relying on multiple methods, including secondary analysis, survey, and in-depth interviews, this study is one of the first attempts to systematically understand how the Internet has been adopted in China, on both provincial and individual levels; and more importantly, how Internet use is associated with people’s real world political lives. Ultimately, this research tries to understand if the Internet could bring a fundamental change in political system to China, and if so, how and when. This research concludes that the Internet is unlikely to offer democratic hope for China, at least not in the near future. Since the Internet is not developed universally, and only a small portion of users are employing it for political activities due to individual characteristics and people’s perceptions of Internet censorship, the Internet’s mobilizing effects are rather constrained. Moreover, due to the rising nationalistic sentiments, the Chinese public were found to be willing to participate in government supported political activity and avoid protests. Nevertheless, the association between nationalism and political participation became less clear when political Internet use increased.Ph.D.CommunicationUniversity of Michigan, Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studieshttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/64681/1/wangx_1.pd

The emergence of the anti-branding trend: theoretical and empirical investigations

2017 - 2018This thesis seeks to contribute to the extant knowledge about the relatively new problem of consumer’s anti-branding actions. More specifically, it explores why consumers assume adversely behaviours towards brands and how brand managers should react when their brand is attacked online. Scholarly research in marketing has traditionally focused on positive emotions that consumers feel towards brands. Conversely, this thesis aims to explore the negative side of consumer brand relationship focusing on the anti-branding phenomenon. By adopting a multiple-case study research design, this thesis explores the whole anti-branding process focusing on its antecedents, outcomes and brand responses. Findings reveal that one of the main consumers’ motivation to engage in anti-branding behaviour is related to ideological incompatibility or symbolic incongruity with a certain brand. Investigating the problem from the brand manager perspective it was possible to extrapolate an initial taxonomy of brand reaction strategies: (1) apologise; (2) change behaviour; (3) engage in conversation with “haters”; (4) ignore; and (5) remove negative comments (and likes) on social media. Interestingly, engage in conversation with “haters” and change behaviour in the way to run a business appeared more effective in mitigating consumers’ attacks. React quickly and with the adequate tone of voice should represent a winning strategy in order to protect online reputation and brand credibility. [edited by Author]XVII n.s. (XXXI ciclo

Constructive Consciousness of Gen-pro: Transforming Political Engagement with a Proactive Behavior, a Progressive Attitude, and a Professional Mindset

Studies on young people’s political engagement commonly fall along the binary of engagement or disengagement. Young people’s political disengagement is typically captured by declining membership in political parties, low voter turnout, and political apathy. The engagement paradigm maintains that young people are increasingly turning to the digital space to engage politically. Though the representation of young people’s disengagement in politics may seem clear, how today’s young people understand politics, political engagement, and what meaningful political engagement means to them continue to be contested. Specifically in recent years, East Asian and Southeast Asian young people’s relationship with politics is experiencing significant transformation. Young people in these regions are increasingly at the forefront seeking for political changes, standing up to authoritarianism, and demanding accountability from their leaders. They are exhibiting attitudes and behaviors that depart from the Asian Values concept that demands obedience to authority and political consensus over confrontation. Young people from Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Taiwan are ideal research participants considering the deep influence of the Asian Values concept in these societies. This study uses online focus group interview to gain a deeper understanding of young people’s attitudes towards politics, political engagement, and digital engagement, how young people perceive the challenges to their political engagement, and what being politically engaged truly means to them. To understand if there is a difference between how young people and the older generation perceive politics and political engagement, this study recruits young people, non-Millennials, and non-Gen-Z participants for an online survey. The interviews reveal that while young people from different societies perceive politics differently, they largely associate political engagement with digital engagement. They share similar challenges to engaging in politics – institution-, personal-, and society-related challenges. The online survey uncovers an interesting finding. Not only do young people and the older generation have similar perceptions of politics, but they also share similar perceptions of political engagement. This study proposes two policy recommendations to better include young people in politics. Today’s young people represent a generation ready for opportunities. We must recognize them as agents of change, capable of making meaningful contributions

Online customer satisfaction about sharing bike market in China

Sharing bike, which makes the replacement of private car travel possible, solved the “last mile” problem and changed people’s travel idea from individual ownership to sharing service. It is an environmentally friendly way of travel, which is quite popular in China. Users' satisfaction with sharing bicycles is essential in determining whether users continue to use these bicycles. The Internet is an important place for users to evaluate sharing bicycles. It is significant for developing public transportation in China to study sharing bike satisfaction by collecting online public opinion data. This paper takes the satisfaction of sharing bicycles in China as the research object, collects the public opinion information about sharing bicycles on the Internet, and obtains the satisfaction data of sharing bicycles by using text mining. In addition, the descriptive statistical analysis and comparative study were carried out on four major brands in China (Didi, Meituan, Hello, and Ofo). It is found that Didi's satisfaction with sharing bicycles is the highest, and Ofo is the lowest. The price increase of sharing bicycles does not affect its satisfaction in most cases, and only a few cases will reduce the satisfaction. This paper also studies the correlation between weather and sharing bicycles satisfaction using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis and factor analysis. Chengdu and Beijing were the two cities that selected to analyze the correlation between the weather conditions and sharing bikes satisfaction. In the research on the satisfaction of sharing bicycles in Beijing, it is found that there is a specific correlation between weather conditions, air temperature, and air pressure and the satisfaction. The satisfaction on sunny days is higher than that on cloudy days. In the research on the satisfaction of shared bicycles in Chengdu, it is found that the weather conditions do not affect user satisfaction of sharing bikes, and the public opinions, maximum temperature, and wind speed are related to the satisfaction.Bicicletas compartilhadas, que representam uma substituição da viagem em carro privado, resolveram o problema da "última milha" e mudou meios de transporte de propriedade individual para serviço de compartilhamento. É uma forma de viajar amigável ao ambiente, bastante popular na China. A satisfação dos usuários com bicicletas compartilhadas é essencial para determinar se os usuários continuam a usar essas bicicletas. A Internet trata-se de um lugar onde os usuários avaliam bicicletas compartilhadas. É significativo para o desenvolvimento do transporte público na China estudar a satisfação com bicicletas compartilhadas por meio da coleta de dados online da opinião pública. Esta dissertação tem como objeto de investigação a satisfação de bicicletas compartilhadas na China, coletando informações da opinião pública sobre bicicletas compartilhadas na Internet e usando mineração de texto. Além disso, a análise estatística descritiva e o estudo comparativo foram realizados em quatro grandes marcas na China (“Didi”, “Meituan”, “Hello” e “Ofo”). Verificou-se que a satisfação para a Didi é a mais alta e para Ofo é a mais baixa. O aumento do preço de bicicletas compartilhadas não afeta o nível de satisfação na sua maioria, e apenas em alguns casos reduziram a satisfação. A dissertação também estuda a correlação entre o clima e a satisfação com bicicletas compartilhadas usando estatística descritiva, análise de correlação e análise fatorial. As cidades de Chengdu e de Pequim foram escolhidas para analisar a correlação. Na pesquisa sobre a satisfação de bicicletas compartilhadas em Pequim, verificou-se que existe uma correlação específica entre as condições meteorológicas, a temperatura do ar e a pressão do ar e a satisfação. A satisfação em dias de sol é maior do que em dias nublados. Na pesquisa em Chengdu, foi descobrido que as condições climáticas não afetam a satisfação do usuário em compartilhar bicicletas, e a opinião pública, temperatura máxima e velocidade do vento relacionam-se à satisfação