The usage of social networks for citizen engagement at the local self-government level: the link between municipal councillors and citizens

Daiva  Vaitkienė; Vita  Juknevičienė; Beatričė  Poškuvienė

doi:10.23762/FSO_VOL9_NO2_6

Published : 2021-06-30

Vol. 9 No. 2 (2021)

The usage of social networks for citizen engagement at the local self-government level: the link between municipal councillors and citizens

Daiva Vaitkienė

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2695-2283

Vita Juknevičienė

https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5910-3010

Beatričė Poškuvienė

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2250-1810

DOI: https://doi.org/10.23762/FSO_VOL9_NO2_6

Abstract

Social networks perform a highly important role in public governance, especially in its communication processes, since they are an alternative to usual methods of communication and the dissemination of information, and it is becoming easier and quicker to publicise the political content, to receive feedback, and to form one’s opinion. Citizens can express their viewpoints on issues which are relevant to selfgovernment, whereas representatives of the municipality can inform citizens about activities and ongoing changes, seek the support of citizens, and pursue their political career goals. The purpose of this research is to reveal how social networks can be employed for citizen engagement at the local self-government level, by identifying the characteristics of the link between municipal councillors and citizens. The research employed both quantitative and qualitative research approaches, using methods such as the content analysis of 335 account entries (posts) on the social network Facebook by four municipal councillors and semi-structured interviews with said councillors. The empirical research demonstrates that municipal councillors use their Facebook accounts to disseminate information on important matters of local self-government, raising questions which are relevant to society, and receiving feedback from citizens (assessment of problems, suggested solutions); however, there is a lack of other kinds of engagement of citizens, i.e. institutional (applied by a municipality), via Facebook, even though there are possibilities available for not only the dissemination of information but also for discussions and the submission of suggestions via social networks.

Keywords:

Social networks, citizen participation, citizen engagement, Facebook, municipality

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Vaitkienė, D. ., Juknevičienė, V. ., & Poškuvienė, B. . (2021). The usage of social networks for citizen engagement at the local self-government level: the link between municipal councillors and citizens. Forum Scientiae Oeconomia, 9(2), 111–130. https://doi.org/10.23762/FSO_VOL9_NO2_6

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Daiva Vaitkienė

daiva.valiunaite@gmail.com
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2695-2283

Affiliation:

Vilnius University, Šiauliai Academy

Bio Statement (e.g., department and rank)

Daiva Vaitkienė, Master of Public Administration at the Institute of Regional Development, Šiauliai Academy, Vilnius University. Her main areas of research are good governance at local self-government level and the management of social networks.

Vita Juknevičienė

vita.jukneviciene@sa.vu.lt
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5910-3010

Affiliation:

Vilnius University, Šiauliai Academy

Bio Statement (e.g., department and rank)

Vita Juknevičienė, PhD of Social Sciences (Management), Associate Professor and Research Fellow at the Institute of Regional Development, Šiauliai Academy, Vilnius University. Her main areas of research are the modernisation of public governance, innovation management, and good governance at local self-government level.

Beatričė Poškuvienė

beatrice.poskuviene@sa.vu.lt
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2250-1810

Affiliation:

Vilnius University, Šiauliai Academy

Bio Statement (e.g., department and rank)

Beatričė Poškuvienė, lecturer at the Institute of Regional Development, Šiauliai Academy, Vilnius University. Her main areas of research are e-democracy, e-government, e-services, and ICT management in public and business sectors.