WeChat Culture in Transition: Navigating Platform, User, and Tradition

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2024-01-03

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2394

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Abstract

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.

Description

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Culture, Identity, and Inclusion, chinese culture, cultural affordances, cultural changes, self-presentation, wechat

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10 pages

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Proceedings of the 57th Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences

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Table of Contents

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Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International

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