14 pages., via online journal., Issue arenas, as places for societal discussions, have recently been studied as an important aspect of organizational environments. While a fundamental part of any issue arena is the distinction between active and passive actors, empirical analyses have mainly focused on active stakeholders. We approach issue arenas as communication networks in which active stakeholders discuss topics and involve passive stakeholders. Based on network theory, we introduce an automated method for mapping these issue arenas on Twitter. In particular, we combine manual coding of active stakeholders, and automated semantic network analysis of addressed, passive stakeholders and their topics of discussion. Empirically, we focus on the issue of bird flu affecting poultry farming in the Netherlands from 2015 to 2017 with a sample of 704 Twitter messages. Instead of pre-defining a set of stakeholders for the analysis, our approach to study communication networks in online settings allows for mapping issue arenas based on the stakeholders that communicate about the topic.
Shaw, Kelsey (author), Meyers, Courtney (author), Irlbeck, Erica (author), Doerfert, David (author), Abrams, Katie (author), and Morgan, Chris (author)
Format:
Journal article
Publication Date:
2015
Published:
USA
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 141 Document Number: D06139
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Document Number: D08812
Notes:
Pages 95-116 in Patrick D. Murphy, The media commons: globalization and environmental discourses. United States: University of Illinois Press, Urbana, Chicago, and Springfield. 192 pages.
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 166 Document Number: D08515
Notes:
Story 15 in Clare Pedrick, Web 2.0 and social media: a life-changing pathway for agricultural development actors. Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation, ACP-EU, Wageningen, The Netherlands. 66 pages.
5 pages, via Online journal, The social media service Instagram is a popular public platform, but often underused tool to reach new demographics, reduce barriers, and perpetuate science-based information in extension. In the U.S. Intermountain West, Instagram was the top-rated platform for sharing information by predominantly new and female farmers. This article provides recommendations on key behaviors, goal setting, and quantifying impact on Instagram for extension programming. Accounts should target one niche or market, a consistent and personal voice, and regular communication (new content at least three times weekly). Unique and productive connections between extension personnel, community leaders, farmers, students, and public influencers expands programming. Tracking program accounts, including the number of followers and engagement rates, can assess program impacts and target market needs.
Meyers, Courtney (author), Shaw, Kelsey (author), Irlbeck, Erica (author), Doerfert, David (author), Abrams, Katie (author), and Morgan, Chris (author)
Format:
Journal article
Publication Date:
2015
Published:
USA
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 151 Document Number: D06780
8 pages., Online via UI Catalog., Authors investigated sources of information used by inhabitants of agricultural villages and rural areas, spanning the period 2012-2018. Findings showed that "interest in new mass media-the Internet grew significantly, whereas their interests in television or radio broadcasts decreased. It has also pointed out that the trend to read daily press and specialized papers increased. Village inhabitants (not a farmer) preferred daily press and journals, whereas farmers chose specialised press."
