HOW DO DIFFERENT INTERNET USE FUNCTIONS AFFECT BRIDGING AND BONDING SOCIAL CAPITAL? AN EMPIRICAL STUDY OF THE CHINESE INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS IN JAPAN

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between Internet use and social capital in an intercultural context and investigates how different Internet use functions are related to social capital. Data were collected from the survey among 155 Chinese international students studying in Japan’s universities. The results showed that Internet use intensity negatively influenced individuals’ bonding social capital. It was also found that the use of the Internet for staying informed would have positive effects on bridging social capital. However, no significant relationship was found between using the Internet for interacting with others and the two types of social capital. These findings fill the gaps in existing studies on Internet effectiveness and help to provide knowledge about the influences of various Internet use functions on establishing and maintaining social ties. To cite this document: Yu Guo, Yiwei Li, and Naoya Ito, "How do different internet use functions affect bridging and bonding social capital? An empirical study of the Chinese international students in Japan", International Journal of Cyber Society and Education, Vol. 7, No. 1, pp. 71-88, 2014. Permanent link to this document: http://dx.doi.org/10.7903/ijcse.1074