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Accumulating Social Capital In An Online Urban Network: The Effects Of User Behaviors

Author

Listed:
  • Yuri Rykov

    (National Research University Higher School of Economics)

  • Yadviga Sinyavskaya

    (National Research University Higher School of Economics)

  • Olessia Koltsova

    (National Research University Higher School of Economics)

Abstract

Social capital is often accumulated not only in ego-networks, but in larger communities. However, these communities, although seemingly visible through social media, are still under-researched. In this work, we examine àn online friendship network spanning over an entire middle-size city amounting to 194,601 users of VK social network site. We find that the share of user’s in-city friends contributes to his/her brokerage and information influence abilities. More importantly, the number of user’s online groups - that is, user’s access to diverse or disconnected communities - is positively related with his/her bridging capital, and negatively with the bonding capital. Finally, our research questions the validity of some of the existing social capital measures.

Suggested Citation

  • Yuri Rykov & Yadviga Sinyavskaya & Olessia Koltsova, 2018. "Accumulating Social Capital In An Online Urban Network: The Effects Of User Behaviors," HSE Working papers WP BRP 83/SOC/2018, National Research University Higher School of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:hig:wpaper:83/soc/2018
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    File URL: https://wp.hse.ru/data/2018/12/14/1144746800/83SOC2018.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Cobb, N.K. & Graham, A.L. & Abrams, D.B., 2010. "Social network structure of a large online community for smoking cessation," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 100(7), pages 1282-1289.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    social capital; social network sites; VKontakte; friendship; online user behavior; online communities;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • Z19 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - Other

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