Government 2.0

Abstract

Purpose -Researchers have argued that social networks within a community have positive effects on people's behavior in disasters. The Japanese government is testing online SNS at the municipal level with the intention to improve community building, democratic processes, and disaster management. This paper seeks to explore the use of social networking services (SNSs) in government and disaster in Japan. Design/methodology/approach -This study is based on a literature review of social capital, social support, disaster, and social software. Two exploratory case studies of local government SNS in Yatsushiro city, Kumamoto prefecture and Nagaoka city, Niigata prefecture provide empirical evidence. Consequently, the role of local SNS for social capital development and disaster is discussed. Findings -Yatsushiro's solution seems to be sustainable, Nagaoka's SNS is in decline. Both have to compete with popular SNS like Mixi and lack critical mass. There are some indications that government-initiated SNS helps to build social capital and utilize it in times of a disaster.Research limitations/implications -The paper contributes to the research on eParticipation and Public Management by describing an internet-based social software application and its embeddedness in the administrative organization. Any conclusions must be tentative, especially as a consequence of the non-representative number of users and the lack of testing in a disaster. Practical implications -The paper provides practitioners with two real life case studies on the implementation and use of local SNS in government. Originality/value -The paper offers theoretical and practical insights into the use of social software in government. Moreover, it connects current trends in government 2.0 to disaster research.

Effects of Reconstruction Planning on the Utility of Social Capital in Minamisanriku, Miyagi after the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake

“…Furthermore, Inaba (2011) investigated social capital in terms of cooperation and trust, contending that social capital supports victims during and after the occurrences of disasters, especially in cases where the government fails to implement adequate measures. In such cases, Schellong (2008) argues that social capital integrates resources entrenched in social structures and networks that a community can mobilize to access critical resources, such as information. For instance, a group with extensive trustworthiness can accomplish much more during a disaster than a comparable group with weak ties and structural holes.…”

“…Secondary data and material were collected from yearly Minamisanriku Town Statistical Reports (2005, Agriculture and Forestry Censuses and Fishery Censuses from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (2005, 2008, 2018, Minamisanriku Town Office (2011) Resident Intention Survey and Minamisanriku Town Office (2012) Earthquake Reconstruction Plan. Information from Minamisanriku and the census was used to frame a discussion on the town's past and present social and economic conditions.…”

“…Instead, groups and individuals rely heavily on their family and working relationships to meet their needs. Similarly, though Schellong (2008) states that the ability of social capital to penetrate resources entrenched in structures and systems is strong, the process is very complex. Especially as the ability of residents to utilize their linking capital to accomplish this goal is dependent on not just finding information but gaining knowledge of these systems.…”