Motivations and usage patterns of social networking sites : exploring cultural differences between United States & Sri Lanka

Abstract

Cybernetics has experienced a major breakthrough and led to the utilization of computers at nearly all parts of daily life. The new technology created online social networking. Even though Social Networking Sites (SNS) are a global phenomenon, it is constrained by local conditions such as culture. Thus, the purpose of the study is to incorporate cultural dimensions to the motivations and usage patterns of the SNS considering SNS as a collection of features (chat, status updates, groups etc...). Present study replicates a study made in the United States in Sri Lanka, and identified differences, trace them to cultural reasons. Survey data collected from undergraduates in Sri Lanka (n= 262) were analyzed by Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and then compared with Smock, Ellison, Lampe, & Wohn (2011). Both studies agree that there is a difference in motivations for both general Facebook use and use of specific features of the site. Further, findings revealed that while patterns of SNS usage do not differ across cultures, some of the motivations behind them do differ. Theoretical and practical implications of these findings, possible cultural reasons for differences and directions for further research are discussed.