Social Media Readiness in Public Administration - Developing a Research Framework

31 Pages Posted: 14 Mar 2014

See all articles by Christian Pieter Hoffmann

Christian Pieter Hoffmann

University of Leipzig

Christoph Lutz

BI Norwegian Business School

Miriam Meckel

University of St. Gallen

Date Written: March 13, 2014

Abstract

This paper develops a multi-level model of Social Media Readiness (SMR) in public administration. Social Media Readiness is described as the extent to which an individual, group or organization is willing, able and prepared to use social media for professional purposes. We survey literature that potentially informs our understanding of SMR. In order to develop a model that is both tailored to the specific context of public administration, and sufficiently represents the complexity of the phenomenon, we conducted an explorative study in late 2011, based on eight case studies within a German state administration. We analyzed social media initiatives in order to identify antecedents of SMR based on the perspectives and experiences of public employees involved in such projects. Finally, we substantiate the resulting model based on established theories of technology acceptance, digital divide, trust, innovation diffusion and public entrepreneurship in order to propose a, both, empirically and theoretically founded framework for future research into social media readiness in public administration.

Keywords: Social Media, Public Administration, Public Management, Readiness

Suggested Citation

Hoffmann, Christian Pieter and Lutz, Christoph and Meckel, Miriam, Social Media Readiness in Public Administration - Developing a Research Framework (March 13, 2014). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2408737 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2408737

Christian Pieter Hoffmann

University of Leipzig ( email )

Marschnerstrasse 31
D-04109 Leipzig, 04109
Germany

Christoph Lutz (Contact Author)

BI Norwegian Business School ( email )

Nydalsveien 37
Oslo, Oslo 0448
Norway
+4746410206 (Phone)

Miriam Meckel

University of St. Gallen ( email )

St. Gallen, 9000
Switzerland

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