The nexus between social media engagement and local e-government participation for accelerated growth: A conceptual study

Abstract

The use of online social media platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, continues to attract considerable traction in both academia and industry. One obvious use of the social media is felt in the way it assists in e-government operations; via municipalities and metropolises to increase citizens’ awareness, participation, and interest in nation-building which culminates in accelerated growth. However, in the case of local government initiation of the use of social media, only scant research has been discussed regarding how the effective use of social media increases citizens‘ interest in developing districts via the selection of funding projects and public life. To understand the link between social media engagement and local government participation for onward development in such local districts, this paper (1) Reviews extant literature on local e-governments in the Czech Republic (2) Analyses the relationship between social media engagement and local e-government intervention. In addition, the paper intends to theorize and conceptualize a model that could enhance and assist scholars and practitioners in understanding the vital roles that ensue among the social media which uses local e-government initiation in the Czech Republic. Furthermore, the authors highlight the mediating (indirect) effects of social media usage and local e-government participation through social media engagement and web-based communication, taking a cue from the drivers and the consequences in the literature. Consequently, the authors assert that there is a positive relationship between the tendency to embark on social media for nation-building. Overall, the study opens new frontiers in nation-building via public opinion and protest, which serves as a bedrock for efficient and all-inclusive societal development. © The Authors, 2019. All Rights Reserved.