A study of blog networks to determine online social network properties from the tie strength perspective

Abstract

Purpose -Most studies on tie strength have focused on its definition, calculation and applications, but have not paid much attention to how tie strength can help analyse online social networks. Because ties play different roles in a network depending on their strength, the purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between tie strength and network behaviours. Design/methodology/approach -The authors propose a simple metric for tie strength measurement and then apply it to an online social network extracted from a blog network. These networks are massive in size and have technology for efficient data collection, thereby presenting the possibility of measuring tie strength objectively. From the results several key social network properties are studied to see how tie strength may be used as a metric to explain certain characteristics in social networks. Findings -The online networks exhibit all the structural properties of an actual social network, not only in following the power law but also with regard to the distribution of tie strength. The authors noted a strong association between tie strength and reciprocity, and tie strength and transitivity in online social networks. Originality/value -This paper highlights the importance of analysing online social networks from a tie strength perspective. The results have important implications for the development of efficient search mechanisms and appropriate group leaders in virtual communities.

Organizational Information Dissemination Within Collaborative Networks Using Digital Communication Tools

“…It has often been assumed that relationships within a network are equal, but that fails to consider that people maintain relationships with varying tie strength [16]. The role of ties within a network varies depending on the network's strength, and different tie strengths affect the social structure differently [16]. Individuals with strong ties have greater similarities and share more intimate information, so treating all relationships as equal degrades predictive modeling [20].…”

“…For example, Rejeb-Khachlouf et al [8] concluded that dense networks contribute to a faster diffusion of information. Chui et al [16] validated that structural properties of a social network are exhibited in an online network and that tie strength is an influencing factor of certain network behavior.…”

“…It has often been assumed that relationships within a network are equal, but that fails to consider that people maintain relationships with varying tie strength [16]. The role of ties within a network varies depending on the network's strength, and different tie strengths affect the social structure differently [16].…”

“…Public social networks focus on social interactions and social information exchange [23]. The structural properties of a social network are exhibited in an online network [16]. Recent studies regarding information distribution within social networks have focused on public social networks, which commonly use social media platforms such as Facebook [3], [10], [15], [20].…”

“…Moreover, tie strength's impact on information diffusion within public online social networks have been measured quantitatively by collecting data through digital communication tools [3], [11], [15], [16]. However, while recent studies have measured…”