From Virtual to Physical: An Exploratory Study on how Online Social Networks and Communities Influence Decision-Making in Everyday Crafting

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

The popularity of the maker movement has prompted extensive research on how the maker spirit enhances learning and redefines entrepreneurism. However, what is left unknown is the dynamic process of making as a hobby and how it may cut across virtual and physical media. To seal this gap, we conducted a qualitative study to investigate how online social networks and communities (OSNCs) may play a role in influencing making-related decisions. We carried out diary studies and semi-structured individual interviews with 25 arts and crafts hobbyists. The findings show that YouTube and Pinterest are the top two mentioned sources to facilitate ideation about what to make. Participants mostly turned to YouTube and Reddit to address problems when getting stuck. We demonstrate the direct and close relationship between tangible making and OSNCs as a multidimensional source, showing how virtual user-generated content can impact everyday hands-on practices.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationProceedings of the 56th Annual Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences, HICSS 2023
EditorsTung X. Bui
PublisherIEEE Computer Society
Pages2232-2241
Number of pages10
ISBN (Electronic)9780998133164
StatePublished - 2023
Event56th Annual Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences, HICSS 2023 - Virtual, Online, United States
Duration: Jan 3 2023Jan 6 2023

Publication series

NameProceedings of the Annual Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences
Volume2023-January
ISSN (Print)1530-1605

Conference

Conference56th Annual Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences, HICSS 2023
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityVirtual, Online
Period1/3/231/6/23

Keywords

  • Online social network
  • leisure
  • online community
  • qualitative research
  • the maker movement

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Engineering

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