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Specifying a Wikipedia-Centric Explanatory Model for Online Group Evolution and Structural Differentiation

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Structural Differentiation in Social Media

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Social Networks ((LNSN))

Abstract

In the previous chapter, we set up the broader sociological underpinnings of our argument. This chapter will focus on the more immediate and tangible mechanisms that shape the emergence and evolution of social media groups, such as those that build Wikipedia. Our theoretical argument will devote particular attention to the role played by contributing elites in organizing and sustaining collaborative activity.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    See Chap. 5 and Appendix A for a definition and measurement of effort in this context.

  2. 2.

    On Wikipedia, each article is accompanied by a “talk” page, a space where the authors or readers can discuss the editorial process.

  3. 3.

    We borrow the idea of phased development mostly from Wegner, as indicated above. Yet, there are other views, such as those of Tushman and Romanelli (2008), which can also be taken into account. Our view, in distinction to Tushman and Romanelli, who proposed a punctuated equilibrium perspective, takes a more incremental approach to phase transitions.

  4. 4.

    The cited paper refers to informal scientific groups, which is highly relevant for this context.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA

    Sorin Adam Matei

  2. South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD, USA

    Brian C. Britt

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  1. Sorin Adam Matei
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Matei, S.A., Britt, B.C. (2017). Specifying a Wikipedia-Centric Explanatory Model for Online Group Evolution and Structural Differentiation. In: Structural Differentiation in Social Media. Lecture Notes in Social Networks. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-64425-7_3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-64425-7_3

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