Location
Hilton Hawaiian Village, Honolulu, Hawaii
Event Website
https://hicss.hawaii.edu/
Start Date
3-1-2024 12:00 AM
End Date
6-1-2024 12:00 AM
Description
This qualitative study examines recent cultural changes on WeChat resulting from the interplay between the platform, users, and Chinese culture. Employing a three-dimensional theoretical framework of cultural affordances, the research investigates the dynamics of cultural transformations within the WeChat ecosystem. Data collection involves 31 semi-structured in-depth interviews, follow-up discussions, and observations, analyzed using the grounded theory approach. Four main cultural shifts are identified: a transition from a personal and intimate culture to a more formal and professional one, an increased emphasis on immediate satisfaction and rewards, the emergence of an “everything-looks-fine” culture, and a reinforced high-context culture for self-presentation. The study also discusses the influential roles played by the platform, users, and cultural norms in shaping cultural change on WeChat.
Recommended Citation
Sun, Yinan and Suthers, Dan, "WeChat Culture in Transition: Navigating Platform, User, and Tradition" (2024). Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences 2024 (HICSS-57). 2.
https://aisel.aisnet.org/hicss-57/dsm/culture/2
WeChat Culture in Transition: Navigating Platform, User, and Tradition
Hilton Hawaiian Village, Honolulu, Hawaii
This qualitative study examines recent cultural changes on WeChat resulting from the interplay between the platform, users, and Chinese culture. Employing a three-dimensional theoretical framework of cultural affordances, the research investigates the dynamics of cultural transformations within the WeChat ecosystem. Data collection involves 31 semi-structured in-depth interviews, follow-up discussions, and observations, analyzed using the grounded theory approach. Four main cultural shifts are identified: a transition from a personal and intimate culture to a more formal and professional one, an increased emphasis on immediate satisfaction and rewards, the emergence of an “everything-looks-fine” culture, and a reinforced high-context culture for self-presentation. The study also discusses the influential roles played by the platform, users, and cultural norms in shaping cultural change on WeChat.
https://aisel.aisnet.org/hicss-57/dsm/culture/2