Mapping Communication Infrastructure Theory Onto Twitter: Network Integration and Neighborhood Storytelling

Authors

  • Zheng An University of Hawaii at Hilo
  • Luana Mendiola-Smith University of Hawaii at Hilo

Keywords:

communication infrastructure theory, Twitter, neighborhood storytelling, network size, network density

Abstract

Guided by communication infrastructure theory (CIT), this study examined residents’ integration to the neighborhood storytelling network and its association with neighborhood storytelling. The ego networks of the local ties of 350 residents and their timelines were obtained from Twitter’s search application programming interface (API). Residents’ integration to the neighborhood storytelling network was operationalized as network size and network density. The results show that both network size and network density positively predicted neighborhood storytelling. When local ties were classified into types, residents who followed more geo-ethnic media accounts and other local residents participated more in neighborhood storytelling.

Author Biographies

Zheng An, University of Hawaii at Hilo

Assistant ProfessorDepartment of CommunicationUniversity of Hawaii at HiloEmail: anz@hawaii.eduAddress: 200 W. Kawili St. Hilo, HI 96720Phone: (808) 932-7787

Luana Mendiola-Smith, University of Hawaii at Hilo

Undergraduate studentDepartment of CommunicationUniversity of Hawaii at HiloEmail:luanas77@hawaii.eduAddress: 200 W. Kawili St. Hilo, HI 96720Phone:808-932-7216 

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Published

2018-09-28

Issue

Vol. 12 (2018)

Section

Articles

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