Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1 PhD Student in Social Communication Sciences, Khorasgan Branch, Islamic Azad University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran
2 Associate Professor, Department of Communication and Business Sciences, Khorasgan Branch, Islamic Azad University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran
3 Assistant Professor, Department of Cultural Management, Khorasgan Branch, Islamic Azad University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran
Abstract
1-Introduction
The newly emerged concept of citizenship culture has gained considerable attention from researchers in the context of modern society, as it serves as a guide to sustainable human interactions. Throughout history, the concept of culture and citizenship has been intricately linked to one another. In the past, this notion was primarily used in the legal domain and pertained to people's adherence to the law. However, over time, it has expanded in its significance, and currently, it holds a much broader meaning. The internet and social networks have become effective tools for the dissemination of cultural symbols, acting as a significant source of information and awareness across various domains, including culture. They play a pivotal role in driving cultural transformations and changes among people.
The scope of the issue has broadened, and the importance of the matter has intensified with the widespread accessibility of smart mobile devices, allowing users to access social networks such as Instagram, WhatsApp, Telegram, Twitter, and others. The extensive use of these networks throughout the day and night by individuals has led to an increased focus on the creation, production, publication, and republishing of a wide range of information in various fields within these platforms. Given the increasing reliance on social networks in daily life, their impact on citizenship culture has become increasingly prominent. Ignoring this issue could lead to significant, and potentially irreversible, losses. Therefore, the importance of studying the benefits and drawbacks of these platforms is undeniable.
The existing body of scholarly research has explored this topic from diverse angles, although a more detailed examination of the impact of social networks on citizenship culture appears to be lacking. Given the extensive usage of social networks by citizens and their influence on various aspects of life, there is a definite need for further study in this area. Therefore, the present report sets out to address the question of whether a model can be proposed to enhance the culture of citizenship by leveraging the power of social media, by investigating the role of social networks in shaping citizenship culture.
2-LiteratureReview
Matani et al. (2019) conducted a study titled "Investigating the Use of Mass Media and Adherence to Citizenship Culture (Case Study: Citizens Over 18 Years Old in Ghaem Shahr City)" using the field method, survey method, and a questionnaire instrument. They concluded that there is a positive and significant relationship between using mass media and the overall level of adherence to the citizenship culture and its dimensions, including social participation, publicism, responsibility, and a tendency to follow the law.
Ghafarinasab et al. (2019), in a study titled "Sociological Explanation of Citizenship Culture (Case Study: Citizens 15 Years Above in Eqlid City)," assert that citizenship is a crucial indicator of development and progress in developing countries. One significant dimension of citizenship is the culture of citizenship. They highlight that the establishment and growth of citizenship can be viewed as a serious solution for resolving social challenges in developing nations. They utilize the theories of Marshall, Janoski, Faulks, and Turner to examine citizenship culture among citizens in Eqlid City. In addition, they employ the survey method and a questionnaire instrument to gather data. They also use a multi-stage cluster sampling technique to choose the sample. The results indicate that the citizenship culture among citizens is above average. The analysis of the hypothesis reveals that variables such as gender, marital status, the degree of religious commitment, social identity, the extent of media usage, and political awareness exhibit a prominent association with the culture of citizenship.
Askarizadeh (2019) conducted a study titled “Identifying Social and Educational Factors Affecting the Promotion of Citizenship Culture in the Neighborhoods of Bandar Abbas City” with a descriptive survey-exploratory method, utilizing a random cluster sampling method. The sample size consisted of 458 individuals, and a questionnaire instrument was utilized in this survey. The findings highlight the significant impact of educational and socioeconomic factors on the promotion of citizenship culture. Among the social factors, awareness of citizenship rights, the rule of law and orderliness, collective interests, awareness of external and internal events, responsibility, publicism, use of cultural centers, and use of the media have been found to greatly influence citizenship culture, respectively.
Among the educational factors, the legal infrastructure and bylaws, written and specific educational objectives, executive structures, the existence of diverse training courses, acceptance of change amongst citizens, awareness and competence of officials, innovative management and supportive managers, the capability of citizens, the attitude of officials, citizens' enthusiastic participation, incentives, communication between officials and citizens, technical infrastructure, and the presence of supporting human resources in setting up and supervision are all found to significantly impact the citizenship culture.
3-Methodology
The present study aimed to propose a model for promoting citizenship culture by leveraging social networks among citizens of Tehran. This is an applied study by objective, a cross-sectional study in terms of the data collection time, and a qualitative research design in terms of the procedure. A qualitative approach with a grounded theory approach was adopted, and the theoretical sampling method was utilized. The primary goal of conducting this study was to contribute to the promotion of the culture of citizenship, thereby enhancing the overall well-being of society.
The statistical population of this research encompassed specialists and experts in social networks and citizenship culture (university professors, city managers, and so on) and reached saturation with no additional data being identified through conducting new interviews. The open, axial, and selective codes were extracted via analyzing the interviews. This study employed a grounded theory approach to identify the main codes and themes related to the culture of citizenship in social networks.
The study, based on Corbin & Strauss's grounded theory model, examined the causal conditions (conditions leading to a change in an event), context, intervening conditions (barriers that may delay or prevent an event from occurring), action/interaction strategies (methods utilized to effect change), and consequences (outcomes or effects of the change process). Following this examination and identification process, the conditions for the promotion of citizenship culture were eventually specified, aligned with the established conceptual model.
4-Conclusion
Analyzing and interpreting the statistical results indicate that social networks exert a positive and significant influence on the dimensions of citizenship culture, thereby upgrading the culture. However, it is essential to make several changes and transformations in Iran to ensure that there is effectiveness in promoting citizenship culture through social networks. Presently, the introduction of virtual social networks into the lives of citizens has been highly embraced in response to the diverse needs of individuals. These networks, in turn, have significantly influenced various aspects of existence. Undoubtedly, social networks have demonstrated ostensible and widespread effects on different areas of people's lives. Additionally, social networks play a vital role in enhancing and strengthening social interactions within the digital realm and have profound impacts on myriad facets of citizens' lives.
Keywords
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