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    Cross-cultural Communication: Arab and Welsh students’ use of Facebook


    Barry, Wail A. and Bouvier, Gwen (2011) Cross-cultural Communication: Arab and Welsh students’ use of Facebook. Journal of Arab & Muslim Media Research, 4 (2&3). pp. 165-184. ISSN 1751-9411

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    Abstract

    This study focuses on the major sociocultural attributes of communication via Facebook in two different geographical settings. It identifies cross-cultural differences among two different student cohorts in the UAE and the UK. Sociocultural specificities were addressed by means of quantitative surveying complemented by qualitative interviewing. The social information processing (SIP) theory and Geerte Hofstede theory of ‘cultural dimensions’ represented the epistemological framework for the study. The findings indicate that although the users shared similar responses in terms of their preferences and uses, the study shows that they differ in certain key points related to online behaviour and communication modes (e.g. preferences for contacting friends), conceptualization of Facebook (an extension to university life or a portal to the world) and issues of privacy (expressing oneself openly). These deviations reflect essentially a cultural dissimilarity, which is a core point of the study. Communication scholars are encouraged to study the research implications of new media, especially regarding differences in culture, as it represents a new avenue in the genre of media studies.

    Item Type: Article
    Keywords: Arab; cross-cultural; communication; Facebook; identity; privacy; students; Welsh;
    Academic Unit: Faculty of Arts,Celtic Studies and Philosophy > School of English, Media & Theatre Studies > Media Studies
    Item ID: 11867
    Identification Number: https://doi.org/10.1386/jammr.4.2-3.165_1
    Depositing User: Gwen Bouvier
    Date Deposited: 25 Nov 2019 15:41
    Journal or Publication Title: Journal of Arab & Muslim Media Research
    Publisher: Intellect Ltd
    Refereed: Yes
    URI:
    Use Licence: This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available here

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