Online Social Networking across Cultures: An Exploration of Divergent and Common Practices

Michelle Salmona Australian National University ; James Melton Central Michigan University ; Robert Miller

Abstract

Building on the authors' prior studies that investigate uses and perceptions of online social networks, this study critically explores the emerging social networking culture. In doing so, the research seeks to identify possible constructs that can be used to predict social networking behavior that may then be tested in a future study. The study relies on multiple user perspectives, drawing its participants from international students at two universities, one in Australia and one in the United States. Throughout this process, the utility of using the lens of national culture versus using other lenses is also examined. While the qualitative data suggests somewhat divergent approaches to social networking in different countries, a number of common themes were also identified. Two themes which appeared across national boundaries were changes in use over time and privacy and trust.

Journal
Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
Published
2013-07-01
DOI
10.2190/tw.43.3.e
CompPile
Search in CompPile ↗
Open Access
Closed
Topics
Export

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (2)

  1. IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
  2. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication

References (43) · 4 in this index

  1. 10.4018/ijissc.2012040102
  2. 10.1080/01449290903042491
  3. 10.1080/15536548.2010.10855886
  4. Preparing for Peace: Conflict Transformation across Cultures
  5. 10.17730/humo.22.3.5470n44338kk6733
Show all 43 →
  1. Sociolinguistics: An International Handbook of the Science of Language and Society
  2. Cultures and Organizations: Software of the Mind
  3. Handbook of Qualitative Research
  4. 10.1108/14777260910979308
  5. 10.1111/j.1475-682X.2010.00332.x
  6. 10.1080/13645570902996301
  7. 10.4135/9781452230153
  8. Constructing Grounded Theory: A Practical Guide through Qualitative Analysis
  9. Qualitative Research and Evaluation Methods
  10. 10.3102/0013189X031007028
  11. Dictionary of Qualitative Inquiry
  12. 10.1207/s15327809jls1301_1
  13. Doing and Teaching Qualitative Research with Qualitative Data Analysis Software, and Rese…
  14. 10.4018/978-1-59904-213-8.ch009
  15. 10.1016/0147-1767(85)90062-8
  16. The Sage Handbook of Qualitative Research
  17. Handling Qualitative Data
  18. 10.1002/pri.312
  19. Action Research in Education
  20. 10.3102/0013189X028005012
  21. Qualitative Data Analysis
  22. Basics of Qualitative Research: Techniques and Procedures for Developing Grounded Theory
  23. Handling Qualitative Data: A Practical Guide
  24. Qualitative Data Analysis: Explorations with NVivo
  25. The Discovery of Grounded Theory
  26. Anthology of Digital Literacy for Technical Communication: 21st Century Theory and Practice
  27. Technical Communication Quarterly
  28. Building Cross-Cultural Competence
  29. Reading and Writing New Media
  30. 10.1017/CBO9781139524599
  31. 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195304794.003.0001
  32. Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  33. IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
  34. IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
  35. Technical Communication
  36. 10.1177/1080569911423959
  37. 10.4018/ijissc.2012040102
  38. 10.1080/01449290903042491