TY - JOUR
T1 - Who benefits from directed communication? Communication directionality, network structures, and perceived social capital in an online game
AU - Choi, Sukyoung
AU - Liu, Mingxuan
AU - Sun, Jingyi
AU - Huang-Isherwood, Ke M.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 Elsevier Ltd
PY - 2023/10
Y1 - 2023/10
N2 - Most studies have investigated the effects of communication on perceived social capital in online games without paying much attention to the directionality of message exchanges. This study examines how the frequency of inbound and outbound directed communication affects perceived social capital and if players’ actual network positions moderate this relationship. Using behavioral data, network data, and survey data from a popular online game, World of Tanks, this study found the “poor-get-richer” pattern for perceived bridging social capital. Players situated in disadvantageous network positions for acquiring bridging social capital (i.e., low brokerage) compensated for their deficiencies through both inbound and outbound communication. In contrast, the results suggested the “rich-get-richer” pattern for perceived bonding social capital. Those situated in more advantageous network positions for acquiring bonding social capital (i.e., high closure) tended to have the greatest gains in perceived bonding social capital as inbound communication increased, but not outbound communication.
AB - Most studies have investigated the effects of communication on perceived social capital in online games without paying much attention to the directionality of message exchanges. This study examines how the frequency of inbound and outbound directed communication affects perceived social capital and if players’ actual network positions moderate this relationship. Using behavioral data, network data, and survey data from a popular online game, World of Tanks, this study found the “poor-get-richer” pattern for perceived bridging social capital. Players situated in disadvantageous network positions for acquiring bridging social capital (i.e., low brokerage) compensated for their deficiencies through both inbound and outbound communication. In contrast, the results suggested the “rich-get-richer” pattern for perceived bonding social capital. Those situated in more advantageous network positions for acquiring bonding social capital (i.e., high closure) tended to have the greatest gains in perceived bonding social capital as inbound communication increased, but not outbound communication.
KW - Communication directionality
KW - Online games
KW - Relational investment
KW - Social capital
KW - Social networks
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85163744933&partnerID=8YFLogxK
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U2 - 10.1016/j.chb.2023.107825
DO - 10.1016/j.chb.2023.107825
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85163744933
SN - 0747-5632
VL - 147
JO - Computers in Human Behavior
JF - Computers in Human Behavior
M1 - 107825
ER -