Journal of Iranian Cultural Research

Journal of Iranian Cultural Research

The circumstances and factors contributing to the development of good governance in social media with a focus on transparency component: A grounded theory study

Document Type : Scientific Research Manuscript

Authors
H. Eslami 1
H. Emadi 2
S.A. Afshani 3
1 Assistant Professor of Government Management, Department of Human Sciences, Yazd Islamic Azad University, Yazd, Iran
2 PhD Student of Media Management, Yazd Islamic Azad University, Yazd, Iran
3 Professor of Sociology, Department of Social Sciences, Yazd University, Yazd, Iran
10.22035/jicr.2022.3034.3366
Abstract
This study employs grounded theory (GT) to qualitatively explore preconditions for good governance in social media with an emphasis on accountability. The study sample consists of 20 media activists and social media managers who were selected using a theoretical or purposive sampling strategy. The data were collected through in-depth interviews with participants. The data collection process continued until saturation, i.e., no new pieces of information could add to the final model. The data were analyzed using open, axial, and selective coding, and then a paradigm model and a theoretical schema were developed based on the 15 main themes and the final theme extracted. The results indicated that the “tamed power of sovereignty” is the fruit of a set of factors such as accountability soft punch, reverse control and monitoring, popular network activism, and networked pressure groups, influenced by a set of contextual and intervening factors. What can cause public trust and social solidarity as the ultimate goal is the adoption of strategies such as normalization of accountability, good pragmatism, the networked activity of governing bodies, and institutional accountability of the government and then moving towards the establishment of an online accountability system. The theoretical schema and paradigm model proposed in this study can interpret the results more accurately.
Keywords
good governance
online accountability
tamed power of sovereignty
social media
Subjects
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  • Receive Date 03 June 2022
  • Revise Date 23 October 2022
  • Accept Date 12 November 2022