The role of reciprocation in social network formation, with an application to blogging

Alexia Gaudeul and Caterina Giannetti

No 2011-015, Jena Economics Research Papers from Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena

Abstract: This paper deals with the role of reciprocation in the formation of individuals' social networks, that is to what extent initiating a relation brings about its reciprocation. Following the activity of a panel of bloggers over more than a year, we seek to establish whether bloggers are mainly involved in social networking or are part of the media industry. We adapt a standard capital investment model to study the effect of reciprocation on the building of social capital. Results of our analysis confirm that activity and reciprocation both play a role in the dynamics of social media.

Keywords: Bloggers; Friendship; LiveJournal; Media; Panel Data; Reciprocation; Reci procity; Social Capital; Social Networks (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C33 D85 L82 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2011-03-22
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-cul, nep-net and nep-soc
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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Related works:
Working Paper: The role of reciprocation in social network formation, with an application to blogging (2012)
Working Paper: The role of reciprocation in social network formation, with an application to blogging (2011)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:jrp:jrpwrp:2011-015

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