The use of Web2.0 style technologies among Chinese civil society organizations

Based on a nationwide survey of more than 500 CSOs in China conducted in 2009, the research presented herein provides the first set of data and the first quantitative analysis regarding the use of Web2.0 technologies among Chinese CSOs. First, it attempts to answer the basic but crucial questions: Whether, on the whole, China’s CSOs use Web2.0 style technologies, and how widely different Web2.0 style technologies have been adopted among China’s CSOs. Second, it attempts to answer whether there is a regional difference (East China/Central China/West China) in the adoption of Web2.0 technologies; whether there is a difference in Web2.0 technologies adoption by financial resource (of CSOs); if yes, which group of CSOs are disadvantaged. This research found that most of the chosen Web2.0 style technologies have been widely adopted by CSOs. The use of Web2.0 style technologies and social media is likely to become a widespread phenomenon among CSOs in China. We found CSOs with medium financial support are more likely to use Web2.0, whereas CSOs with high financial support are left behind in the use of some Web2.0 technologies. More importantly, we found there is a regional inequality in the adoption of Web2.0 style technologies. CSOs in western China are left behind in the adoption of Web2.0. And CSOs in eastern China are more likely to use blog and Forum/BBS; CSOs in central China are more likely to upload video materials.

► A quantitative study of Web2.0 use among Chinese civil society organizations (CSOs). ► The study is based on a nationwide survey of more than 500 CSOs. ► We found that Web2.0 and social media have been widely used by CSOs in China. ► CSOs with medium financial support are more likely to use Web2.0. ► CSOs in western China are left behind in the adoption of Web2.0.