Impacts of the internet on perceptions of governance at the community level: the case of Jiangqiao Township in Shanghai, China

Yili Yao,Xianghong Zhou

doi:10.1108/pap-04-2021-0026

Abstract

PurposeThe rate of urbanisation in China has accelerated community heterogeneity, and yet it has also led to challenges and problems in community governance. This trend has been accompanied by the rapid expansion of information and communication technology (ICT) and online activities. Based on the example of Jiangqiao Township in Shanghai, this paper aims to probe the link between online participation using the internet and its impacts on social capital formation and community development.Design/methodology/approachA literature review was conducted, and a case study method based on quantitative data was applied to test the theoretical framework in the interactions of users’ online participation and perceptions of community governance.FindingsParticipation in an online community through the internet was found to foster new social capital. Distributed social capital had a positive impact on perceptions of governance at the community level, which was due to the resulting network density and social trust of the locality.Originality/valueThis study offers an expanded perspective on the impact of the internet on the behaviour of netizens in China in the context of community governance in new settlements and townships. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it is interesting to investigate how the use of mass communication channels, such as the internet and other digital platforms, affects social behaviour and generates new social norms. This study offers quantitative evidence from China to support the theory of Putnam (1993; 1995a). It thus extends beyond the field of sociology to the fields of public administration and urban development.

Highlights

In the past two decades, China’s rapid urbanisation has led to many new urban or peri-urban communities and settlements
Social capital at the community level was increased by the internet and internet use by the residents
The findings of this study provide empirical evidence for the examination of the potential impacts of information and communication technology to ensure the growth of locality-based virtual communities

Summary

Introduction

In the past two decades, China’s rapid urbanisation has led to many new urban or peri-urban communities and settlements. These emerging communities have experienced rapid population influxes, and they are faced with increasing heterogeneity and fragmentation. Many new residents found themselves living in an unfamiliar urban environment, and they have increasingly experienced social anomy. These trends have become critical issues that have affected community cohesion and its governance. Both local government and residents have experienced dissatisfaction with this situation. According to the 39th Statistical Report on the Development of China’s Internet Network, internet penetration had already reached 53.2 percent by December 2016, and Shanghai had the

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