The politics of platform power in surveillance capitalism: A comparative case study of ride-hailing platforms in China and the United States

Global Media and China

article

Xiufang (Leah) Li¹  Juan Feng¹ 

[1] School of Media and Communication, RMIT University

关键词: social media influencers;    authenticity;    engagement;    follower;    nation branding;   

DOI  :  10.1177/20594364221094668

学科分类：社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

来源: Sage Journals

【 摘 要 】

Social media influencers are emerging as a new force in shaping public discourse and raising public awareness of socio-political agendas in the digital space. This paper explores the role of influencers as part of the citizens group in nation branding by looking into their interactions with followers through the lens of authenticity. It analyzes the networked narratives generated by the influencers and followers, using the mixed methods of blending content analysis with social network analysis. The findings identify the potential of influencers evolving as a crucial force in contributing to a representative national brand informed through imbuing authenticity with engagement, featuring valued-based content, interactivity, creativity and intrinsic motivations within an ethical communication mechanism. It advances influencer studies in nation branding by underpinning the two-way construct of authenticity in generating influence; and informs the development of strategies for engaging citizens in nation branding through influencers using authenticity. Considering the central role of China in international economics, politics and culture, this article has significant domestic and regional implications.

【 授权许可】

CC BY|CC BY-NC