The process of crisis information dissemination: impacts of the strength of ties in social networks

Abstract

Purpose – The strength of ties between individuals influences the speed and spread of crisis information dissemination (CID). By constructing networks of strong and weak ties, this paper aims to innovatively explore the impacts of strong and weak ties on the CID at the macro level. Design/methodology/approach – To better understand the rules of CID in different kinds of social networks, this paper constructs a CID model based on the strength of ties in social networks and cellular automation, using simulations of CID speed and spread in an entire network, strong tie network and weak tie network generated by MATLAB. Findings – As the article's major theoretical contribution, the results demonstrate that CID is more efficient in a network of weak ties than in a network of strong ties, and that the spread of CID has a positive correlation with the believability of the information disseminated and the dissemination tendency coefficient. Furthermore, the difference of dissemination speeds between strong and weak tie networks varies regularly with information believability and the dissemination tendency coefficient. Originality/value – This study provides more effective public mechanisms for rapidly evaluating the believability of crisis information and responding to crises in real time. The findings also have some valuable implications for government agencies to improve the efficiency and effect of CID.

Relationship Between Risk Perception, Social Support, and Mental Health Among General Chinese Population During the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…According to the weak tie and strong tie theory, 36 , 37 intimate friends and family members usually are regarded as the strong ties and generally provide practical and emotional support when people got exhausted, 38 whereas other people like colleagues are often considered as weak ties and could provide more information support that would always turn into rumors spreading and negative emotions in pandemic context, which further arouse excessive pressure. 39 Furthermore, since people were recommended to stay at home during the COVID-19 pandemic, they might have more time to stay with their intimate family members or friends living with or near them and receive more practical support from family and friends. However, they only can contact weak tie network members through the online social software, and then the probability to receive rumors about COVID-19 might increase through online communication with weak tie relationship members.…”

Research on Relationship Strength under Personalized Recommendation Service

“…Based on the definition of relationship strength given by Granovetter [11], many existing research utilizes the linear combination model to calculate the relationship strength with some progress [18,42,43]. In this paper, a linear combination model is adopted, then interaction strength, common friend rate and the similarity of feature attribute are integrated as three dimensions to estimate the relationship strength, and the activity field preference and interactive habit of an individual are introduced.…”

Information Propagation in Social Networks During Crises: A Structural Framework

“…Wei et al [48] discussed the difference in disseminating information through strong and weak ties during disaster situations. They created and ran a simulation environment emulating these strong and weak ties.…”