Co-experience on Twitter: A study of information technology professionals
- Publisher:
- Information Research
- Publication Type:
- Journal Article
- Citation:
- Information Research: an international electronic journal, 2020, 25 (1)
- Issue Date:
- 2020-03-01
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Introduction. This paper presents findings from a study of information technology (IT) professionals’ use of Twitter for their professional purposes. The study aimed to understand information technology professionals’ co-experience and how it influences professional activities on Twitter. Method. Eleven information technology professionals who currently use Twitter for professional purposes were recruited. Analysis. This study used online observations and interviews to help to distinguish the objective and observable actions of the participants, and to clarify the ways in which information technology professionals experience Twitter for professional purposes. The data were analysed using constructivist grounded theory. Results. The findings of this study yielded an interesting result: social interaction initiates co-experience. The degree of co-experience that occurred on Twitter is greater compared to other multimedia messaging service platforms. This is because Twitter is a public space that enables user-generated content, communication, and engagement much more easily than other mediated communication environments. Conclusions. Information technology professionals experienced Twitter as a real place where they met and socialised with others; however, it was more than just information seeking and sharing – it was also a place where they created a co-experience by choice rather than by simple chance.
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