When Transnational Civil Network Meets Local Context: An Exploratory Hyperlink Network Analysis of Northern/Southern NGOs' Virtual Network in China

Abstract

Nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) are important communicators in the international arena, but few studies have explored the encounter between Northern NGOs (NNGOs) and Southern NGOs. This study examines how NNGOs build relationships with Chinese NGOs (CNGOs) online and how network positions affect the amount of local media coverage NNGOs receive. This study revealed three major findings: NNGOs occupied a disadvantageous network position; a close connection with CNGOs was crucial for NNGOs to attract media coverage; and NNGOs' and CNGOs' virtual networks demonstrated structural patterns similar to those of their offline networks. This study calls for attention to a mutually beneficial virtual communication structure.

Keywords:

• Global Civil Society
• Transnational Networks
• NGOs
• Structural Hole Theory
• Social Network Analysis

Acknowledgments

The author would like to thank Dr. Maureen Taylor for her thoughtful suggestions. In addition, the author would like to thank the editor and three anonymous reviewers for their valuable comments on earlier versions of this manuscript.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Aimei Yang

Aimei Yang is Assistant Professor at University of Dayton