Strategic Management and Social Media: An Empirical Analysis of Electronic Social Capital and Online Fundraising

Abstract

Purpose

This study analyzes the impact of different types of social capital (structural, relational, cognitive) from different sources (internal and external) generated in electronic social networks on organizational performance.

Design/methodology/approach

We test our hypotheses using OLS regression analysis of data obtained from nonprofit organization (NPO) fundraising on a popular online social networking website.

Findings

The results provide insights into the multifaceted, complex nature of social capital in electronic environments. We find that electronic social capital does indeed impact organizational outcomes, but that these impacts vary depending on the type of social capital, the type of outcomes, and roles within the social network.

Originality/value

These results clearly indicate the need to further research exploring social capital, in all its forms, within increasingly popular online and electronic social networks. While specifically applicable to NPOs, the findings also provide important insights for a wide variety of organizations.

Citation

Henry, R. and Bosman, L. (2014), "Strategic Management and Social Media: An Empirical Analysis of Electronic Social Capital and Online Fundraising", Social Media in Strategic Management (Advanced Series in Management, Vol. 11), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 43-62. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1877-6361(2013)0000011007