International Journal of Web Based Communities (3 papers in press)

Regular Issues

• Likes, comments and shares on social media: exploring user engagement with a state tourism Facebook page  
  by Ritesh Chugh, Smit B. Patel, Niharikaben Patel, Ruhi Umar 
  Abstract: This paper explores an Indian state’s (Gujarat) tourism Facebook page with the intent of examining user engagement and interaction. Quantitative content analysis of Facebook posts over a one-year timeframe has been conducted, particularly looking at the multi-media type and the content posted. User engagement is determined by analysing likes, comments and shares on posts. Findings indicate that images form part of most posts, but videos tend to get more interaction with users. Facebook likes are not directly correlated to shares or comments. Comments and shares can be seen as a more reliable source of measuring engagement with users. Advertisements posts had the lowest engagement levels whereas development posts demonstrated the highest engagement levels. Social media managers, who are always keen to enhance user engagement and interaction with their Facebook pages, could utilise the findings to create posts that are related to customer interests to deliver more value.
  Keywords: social media; Facebook; government; tourism; engagement; interaction; likes; shares; comments; India.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJWBC.2019.10020618
   
  
• Citizens' electronic participation: a systematic review of their challenges and how to overcome them  
  by Carlos Oliveira, Ana C. B. Garcia 
  Abstract: The evolution of the internet and the popularity of the social media have brought new possibilities for citizens’ participation into government decision-making. Laws, in democratic countries, have enforced government’s data and process transparency. Nevertheless, the e_government research has demonstrated that citizen’s participation is still very low. This paper presents a systematic literature review of e-participation research addressing three questions: 1) what are the reasons for the low citizens’ participation?; 2) what is the role of the government in e-participation?; 3) what are the current approaches to promote e-participation? Although participation is a right for which the citizens should be fighting for, they have been neglecting to act. Researchers have indicated the government still plays a central role since information and opportunities flow through the government-controlled technological platforms. Nonetheless, there is hope, to initiate a virtuous cycle in which citizens control and expand popular participation, leading to a greater demand for government action.
  Keywords: systematic review; e-participation; engagement.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJWBC.2019.10020619
   
  
• Extensive Use of Online Social Networks: A Qualitative Analysis of Iranian Students' Perspectives  
  by Elham Akbari 
  Abstract: In accordance with media dependency theory, the greater people’s dependence on the media, the more important its role in their social lives. The research sample included 65 Iranian university students, with in-depth interviews used to collect data. The results demonstrated that students spent excessive time on online social networks, especially at the time of social and political events. Students perceived that these networks had both advantages and disadvantages. They argued that their belief systems were changing and that they faced new experiences. Moreover, a discrepancy was identified between Iranian users and users in other parts of the world in terms of their preferred social network and its function: Telegram was the most popular social network and none of the participants mentioned the educational function of these sites.
  Keywords: dependency; dependency theory; extensive use; media; online social networks; student.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJWBC.2019.10021030