The Best of Both Worlds? Online Ties and the Alternating Use of Social Network Sites in the Context of Migration

Jens F. Binder and Alistair G. Sutcliffe
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Jens F. Binder: School of Social Sciences, Nottingham Trent University, Burton Street, Nottingham NG1 4BU, UK
Alistair G. Sutcliffe: Manchester Business School, University of Manchester, Booth Street West, Manchester M15 6PB, UK

Societies, 2014, vol. 4, issue 4, 1-17

Abstract: While an ever-growing body of research is concerned with user behavior on individual social network sites (SNSs)—mostly Facebook—studies addressing an alternating use of two or more SNS are rare. Here, we investigate the relationship between alternating SNS use and social capital in the context of migration. Alternating SNS use avoids some of the problems associated with large networks located on one site; in particular the management of different social or cultural spheres. Not only does this strategy hold potential for increased social capital, it also provides a particular incentive for migrants faced with the challenge of staying in touch with back home and managing a new social environment. Two survey studies are presented that focus on the relationship between alternating SNS use and online ties in a migrant context involving Indian nationals. Study 1 looked at migration within India, whereas Study 2 compared international with domestic SNS users. In both studies, alternating SNS use added to the prediction of online network size and accounted for differences in network size found for migrant and non-migrant users. Differences were due to the number of peripheral ties, rather than core ties. Findings suggest that alternating SNS use may constitute a compensatory strategy that helps to overcome lower levels of socializing represented through a single SNS.

Keywords: Orkut; migration; alternating SNS use; online network; online network size (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A13 A14 P P0 P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 Z1 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2014
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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