The factors influencing the translation of facebook friendship into real-world friendship.
Loading...
Date
2014
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Worldwide online social networking sites are the most popular way to make friends. Specifically, Facebook has attracted students from around the world who can connect with other students. It allows students to befriend anyone regardless of race, nationality, ethnicity, language, or gender. As far as the researcher is aware, the factors influencing the translation of Facebook friendship into real-world friendships are uncertain. The present study was therefore conducted to determine to what extent (a) language, (b) race, and (c) gender impact on the translation of Facebook friendship to real-world friendship among university students. This was accomplished through a quantitative method of data collection and analysis. The results indicate that the majority of university students are less likely to convert Facebook friends who speak a different language into real-world friends. In addition, they are unlikely to convert Facebook friends from a different ethnic group into real-world friends. Furthermore, only Black students are likely to convert Facebook friends who speak the same or a different language, as well as come from different ethnic groups, into real-world friends. Whites, Indians and Coloureds are unlikely to do so. Additionally, males are likely to convert female Facebook friends into real-world friends and females are also likely to convert female Facebook friends into real-world friends. Finally, the results show that the vast majority of university students are likely to convert Facebook friends into real-world friends provided they have met in person or if the Facebook friends are considered to be trustworthy.
Description
M. Com. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 2014.
Keywords
Facebook (Electronic resource), Online social networks., Friendship., Theses -- Management studies.