Similar Affordances, Different Use Practices? An Investigation of the Socio-cultural Contexts in Facebook, Instagram and Twitter

Kader Arslan, Matthias Trier

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingArticle in proceedingsResearchpeer-review

Abstract

This study argues that the widely adopted affordance perspective is not sufficiently capturing subtle differences between social media platforms (SMPs) that result from varying socio-cultural context factors. To address this gap, this study attempts a systematic structure of the different discourses on SMP differences and at the same time aligning it better to the affordance perspective. An online survey asked participants (n=197) to evaluate their SMP use practices (or non-use) based on 15 different sub-constructs of use practices that influence the socio-cultural context of SMPs. Pairwise comparisons of the SMPs Facebook, Instagram and Twitter revealed significant differences in use practices. This study concludes that a systematic investigation of the socio-cultural influences on use practices can reveal important differences that the more abstract and design-oriented affordance perspective may otherwise overlook. For example, users (e.g., prospective customers) of Instagram are having the most salient expectation to be entertained.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the 44th International Conference on Information Systems (ICIS 2023) : Rising like a Phoenix: Emerging from the Pandemic and Reshaping Human Endeavors with Digital Technologies
Number of pages17
Place of PublicationAtlanta, GA
PublisherAssociation for Information Systems. AIS Electronic Library (AISeL)
Publication date2023
Article number1261
ISBN (Electronic)9781713893622
Publication statusPublished - 2023
EventThe 44rd International Conference on Information Systems: Rising Like a Phoenix: Emerging From the Pandemic and Reshaping Human Endeavors with Digital Technologies - Hyderabad, India
Duration: 10 Dec 202313 Dec 2023
Conference number: 44
https://icis2023.aisconferences.org/

Conference

ConferenceThe 44rd International Conference on Information Systems
Number44
Country/TerritoryIndia
CityHyderabad
Period10/12/202313/12/2023
Internet address
SeriesProceedings of the International Conference on Information Systems
ISSN0000-0033

Keywords

  • Social media platform differences
  • Affordances
  • Use culture
  • Social context
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Wilcoxon test

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