A call to arms: A social movements perspective on "issue" surfacing on social media

Sung Won Kim, Shaila Miranda

Research output: Contribution to conferencePaperpeer-review

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to present a preliminary model of the emergence of an "issue", initiated by the thought of an individual, communicated via the internet, modified and embraced by new participants, and surfaced into the social consciousness of a large number of people ready to mobilize resources to enact change within their environment. We develop a theory that attempts to understand how a single message, floating in the Sargasso Sea of information, evolves into a movement that demands a particular type of response from private citizens, corporate entities, or governments. The focus of this model is therefore on how an "issue" comes to be surfaced. The domain of this study is any web-enabled technology that allows masses of individuals to communicate with each other through text based messages. Key elements of the emergent model include program, identity, and standing claims articulated within messages and the valence, richness and reach of responses to the messages. We briefly consider subsequent consequences of "issue" surfacing for resource mobilization.

Original languageEnglish (US)
DOIs
StatePublished - 2011
Externally publishedYes
Event71st Annual Meeting of the Academy of Management - West Meets East: Enlightening, Balancing, Transcending, AOM 2011 - San Antonio, TX, United States
Duration: Aug 12 2011Aug 16 2011

Other

Other71st Annual Meeting of the Academy of Management - West Meets East: Enlightening, Balancing, Transcending, AOM 2011
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySan Antonio, TX
Period8/12/118/16/11

Keywords

  • Problem identification
  • Social media
  • Social movements

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Management Information Systems
  • Management of Technology and Innovation
  • Industrial relations

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