Keeping Citizens Engaged A Comparison Between Online and Offline Participants

This study analyzes whether there are any differences in enrollment and drop-out rates between e-participation and traditional participation in a long-term citizen collaboration project. The theoretical framework is based on networked individualism. Results show that capturing and maintaining citize...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inAdministration & society Vol. 49; no. 3; pp. 394 - 422
Main Authors Yetano, Ana, Royo, Sonia
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01.03.2017
SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC
Subjects
Access
Apathy
Citizen participation
Citizens
Collaboration
Communications technology
Dropping out
Enrollments
Individualism
Information technology
ICTs
networked individualism
citizen participation
abandonment
e-participation
long-term collaboration process
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Summary:This study analyzes whether there are any differences in enrollment and drop-out rates between e-participation and traditional participation in a long-term citizen collaboration project. The theoretical framework is based on networked individualism. Results show that capturing and maintaining citizen interest is a daunting task, even in a sensitive topic that might generate positive and tangible benefits for citizens. The higher levels of accessibility offered by information and communication technologies (ICTs) are not enough to reverse public apathy, and person-to-person contact is more effective to maintain engagement. Based on the findings, some actions to reduce dropout in long-term citizen collaboration projects are suggested.
ISSN:0095-3997
1552-3039
DOI:10.1177/0095399715581625