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The world is not flat: Evaluating the inequality in global information gatekeeping through website co-mentions

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  • Barnett, George A.
  • Ruiz, Jeanette B.
  • Xu, Weiai Wayne
  • Park, Ji-Young
  • Park, Han Woo

Abstract

This study explores inequality in global internet by looking at structure of co-mentions across global top website domains. Findings show that websites of the U.S. were central and dominant in the global content flow. The network based on the level of corporate ownership was even more centralized, in which the top 10 sites producing at least 1% of all Internet citations were from U.S.-based companies such as Google, Facebook, and Twitter, which together accounted for >70% of the network ties. In particular, Google was at the center of the network and serves as the Internet “gatekeeper”. Additionally, the global web is divided into two clusters of websites, one represented by websites owned by American firms and the other by Chinese companies. The study discusses how such divide might be the outcome of geopolitics, internet governance and media conglomeration.

Suggested Citation

  • Barnett, George A. & Ruiz, Jeanette B. & Xu, Weiai Wayne & Park, Ji-Young & Park, Han Woo, 2017. "The world is not flat: Evaluating the inequality in global information gatekeeping through website co-mentions," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 117(C), pages 38-45.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:tefoso:v:117:y:2017:i:c:p:38-45
    DOI: 10.1016/j.techfore.2017.01.011
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Yoonjae Nam & George Barnett & Daejoong Kim, 2014. "Corporate hyperlink network relationships in global corporate social responsibility system," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 48(3), pages 1225-1242, May.
    2. Wade, Robert Hunter, 2004. "Is Globalization Reducing Poverty and Inequality?," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 32(4), pages 567-589, April.
    3. George Barnett & Han Park, 2014. "Examining the international internet using multiple measures: new methods for measuring the communication base of globalized cyberspace," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 48(1), pages 563-575, January.
    4. Justus Haucap & Ulrich Heimeshoff, 2014. "Google, Facebook, Amazon, eBay: Is the Internet driving competition or market monopolization?," International Economics and Economic Policy, Springer, vol. 11(1), pages 49-61, February.
    5. Chung Chung & George Barnett & Han Park, 2014. "Inferring international dotcom Web communities by link and content analysis," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 48(2), pages 1117-1133, March.
    6. Kim, Jiyoung & Lee, Yeon-Ok & Park, Han Woo, 2016. "Delineating the complex use of a political podcast in South Korea by hybrid web indicators: The case of the Nakkomsu Twitter network," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 110(C), pages 42-50.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Lomborg, Bjorn, 2020. "Welfare in the 21st century: Increasing development, reducing inequality, the impact of climate change, and the cost of climate policies," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 156(C).
    3. Grover, Purva & Kar, Arpan Kumar & Dwivedi, Yogesh K. & Janssen, Marijn, 2019. "Polarization and acculturation in US Election 2016 outcomes – Can twitter analytics predict changes in voting preferences," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 145(C), pages 438-460.

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