Knowledge Production Gap in the Age of Social Media: Weibo, Knowledge Production and Public Participation

• In Event: ICA Plenary Interactive Paper/Poster Session II
  In Interactive Paper Session: Communication and Technology Interactive Poster Session

Abstract

Focusing on Weibo and with the attempt to extend the traditional knowledge gap study from knowledge possession to knowledge production, this study has examined the forms of knowledge production on Weibo, the underlying social structures behind them, and the relationship between knowledge production and public participation. The result shows that 1) Chinese netizens’ knowledge production on Weibo is very limited, and direct knowledge production is far less than indirect knowledge production; 2) There is a significant gender gap of knowledge production and a rural-urban divide; 3) Knowledge production is more strongly associated with public participation than knowledge possession, and direct knowledge production has greater impact on public participation than indirect knowledge production; 4) The production of truth and belief knowledge has greater impact on public participation than mere truth or belief knowledge, and there is a positive co-relation between the production of positive and neutral belief knowledge and public participation.

Author

• Lu Zhao, Zhejiang University