Inter-organizational network structure and formation mechanisms in Weibo space: A study of environmental NGOs

This study explores the structures of follower/identification networks among non-government environmental organizations on Sina Weibo by using social network analysis techniques, and unpacks the formation mechanisms of these networks by integrating the literature of inter-organizational networks, social movement coalitions, Internet studies and the institutions of social organization management in China. In particular, this study proposes an ‘appropriateness principle’ to explain the effect of registration status on network structure. Descriptive network analyses show that close virtual relations exist among environmental NGOs, and reciprocal relations are prevalent. The findings highlight the importance of legitimacy and lend support to the appropriateness principle. Non-governmental organizations which have offline collaborations or reside in the same province are more likely to form follower/identification relations, and those with similar focus areas are more likely to form identification relations. Weibo activity also has a positive impact on the formation of inter-organizational relations. Overall, the findings of this study suggest that ‘low cost of Internet use’ alone does not provide a sufficient explanation of inter-organizational relations on the cyberspace. The authors argue that on a highly interactive social media platform like Weibo, the trustworthiness of an organization and its capacity to earn recognition from peer organizations play a crucial role in the formation of inter-organizational networks.