Introduction to the special issue on social media and government

Authors

  • Rodrigo Sandoval-Almazan Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7864-6464
  • Andrea L. Kavanaugh Center for Human-Computer Interaction, Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University (Virginia Tech)

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5210/fm.v23i4.8317

Abstract

The use of social media by public administration has been growing steadily, and fostering important transformations in organization, costs, citizen interaction and efficiency. Citizens are increasingly more informed about government activities, performance, and claims solutions. Citiizens and non-profit organizations are in greater communication with each other about government planning and response to complex and collective problems. Social media, such as Facebook, Twitter, You Tube and WhatsApp, as well as related tools, such as commenting, liking, tagging and rating, change the distribution of information, power and resources. The growing maturity of public officials in the use of these tools not only creates new opportunities, but also engenders problems. Many politicians, public officials and public servants are seeking ways to adapt their daily operations and practices to make effective use of social media for interaction with non-governmental organizations and with citizens and to provide information and services more efficiently. The papers in this special issue on social media and government capture the current state of some of these opportunities and problems.

Author Biographies

Rodrigo Sandoval-Almazan, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México

Rodrigo Sandoval-Almazan is Associate Professor at the Political Sciences and Social Sciences Department in the Autonomous State University of Mexico, in Toluca City.  Dr. Sandoval-Almazan is the author or co-author of articles in Government Information Quarterly, Information Polity, Electronic Journal of Electronic Government; Journal of Information Technology for Development; Journal of Organizational Computing and Electronic Commerce; International Journal of E-Politics IJEP. His research interests include electronic government, open government and social media in government. Proffesor Sandoval-Almazan has a Bachelors Degree in Political Science and Public Administration, a Masters in Management focused on Marketing, and a Ph.D. in Management with Information Systems.

 

Andrea L. Kavanaugh, Center for Human-Computer Interaction, Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University (Virginia Tech)

Senior Research Scientist and Associate Director of the Center for Human-Computer Interaction at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) in Blacksburg, Virginia, USA.

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Published

2018-04-01

How to Cite

Sandoval-Almazan, R., & Kavanaugh, A. L. (2018). Introduction to the special issue on social media and government. First Monday, 23(4). https://doi.org/10.5210/fm.v23i4.8317