EXAMINING CULTURAL AND TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE: A STUDY OF CULTURAL AFFORDANCES ON WECHAT - SCHOLARSPACE
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Proceedings of the 55th Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences | 2022
Examining Cultural and Technological Change:
A Study of Cultural Affordances on WeChat
Yinan SUN Daniel D. Suthers
University of Hawai`i at Manoa University of Hawai`i at Manoa
sunyinan@hawaii.edu suthers@hawaii.edu
Abstract 69], gender [20,69], and social and economic status [44,
70]. In terms of users’ behaviors on WeChat, prior
This study presents qualitative research of the studies show that female users spend more time on
interaction among WeChat, users, and Chinese culture WeChat, yet they are less enthusiastic about
by applying a three-dimensional notion of cultural interpersonal communication on WeChat [48]. Men and
affordances. The data is collected by conducting 10 older people show more empathy, and they are more
semi-structured in-depth interviews, follow-up likely to vote on WeChat based on reciprocity and
discussions, and observations, and is analyzed via the intimacy [69]. Positive emotions play a positive role in
grounded theory approach. The study provides terms of liking behaviors on WeChat [44, 74]. In
preliminary findings that demonstrate the roles of addition, the fear of missing out and online social
WeChat, users, and Chinese culture in terms of cultural anxiety led users to make positive self-presentation and
and technological changes. The study also discusses the expect positive feedback from others [17]. Meanwhile,
interactive patterns among three dimensions of cultural people who overuse WeChat tend to believe in destiny
affordances and offers possible direction for further or fate and they are more likely have high-level stress
study. and other behavior problems [25, 75]. Yet, the study on
cultural aspect of users’ motivations for and ways of
using WeChat is missing.
1. Introduction Equally important, prior studies on the design of
WeChat examine the technological, psychological and
Launched in January 2011 by Tencent, WeChat is social aspects of the platform while overlooking the
considered to be one of the most important mobile cultural aspect. For example, Peng [51] contends that
applications in China [27, 45, 48, 56]. As of the third WeChat follows attentive design that seeks to keep
quarter of 2018, WeChat monthly active users reached Chinese youth’s constant attention toward the platform
1.08 billion [29]. The average user spent 139 minutes through features like “the red dot” that indicates new
each on WeChat and 68 million videos were posted on messages. Chen, Mao, and Qiu [13] maintain that
a daily basis in 2017 [45, 58]. WeChat is “probably the world’s most outstanding case
Due to its popularity in Chinese society, more and of sticky design” (p. 11). Compared to other social
more researchers start to investigate WeChat. In general, media platforms, WeChat has similar functions, such as
prior studies on WeChat can be divided into six main peer-to-peer texting, video and picture posting, group
categories: 1) users’ motivations of WeChat usage, 2) chatting, newsfeed, mobile games, and liking or voting
detrimental aspects of WeChat usage with a focus on mechanism [45]. However, WeChat is unique in many
mental health, 3) the social influence of WeChat, 4) ways [45]. For example, one has to provide a cellphone
users’ behaviors on WeChat (e.g., voting, or liking), 5) number that is registered under a national ID to access
discontinuance of using WeChat, and 6) the design of certain functions, such as WeChat Pay or city services
WeChat. Prior research is crucial in terms of (e.g., paying electricity bills, making an apportionment
understanding WeChat. Yet, prior studies make light of with a public hospital). In addition, WeChat does not
the cultural aspect when investigating these issues. intend to cultivate a virtual world that is completely
To elaborate, prior study demonstrates the factors different from the real world [71]. Instead, users on
that affect WeChat users’ motivations and practices WeChat have high familiarity with their real-life
include: relax and stress relief [19, 42, 71], influences of contacts since “most WeChat friends know each other
friends [40], entertainment [20, 35, 48], information [20, in the reality” [19, 45]. Additionally, WeChat allows
35], sociality [35, 44, 48, 74], trust [35], social support users to send digital red envelopes since 2014 [64]. Prior
[19, 49, 64], social values [71], fashion [48], age [20,
URI: https://hdl.handle.net/10125/79689
978-0-9981331-5-7 Page 2870
(CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)research on WeChat design is illuminating. Yet, the The new definition of cultural affordances includes
uniqueness of WeChat associated with Chinese culture cultural affordances of technology, cultural affordances
is still poorly understood. of users, and affordances of the cultural. Before diving
In general, prior research shows that the design of into details, we need to clarify several issues. Firstly, it
a social media platform and the motivations and ways of is important to point out that affordances are potentials
using it are heavily affected by culture [33, 53]. In for action rather than deterministic causes for action. An
reverse, the features of social media platforms could entity, including human and non-human actors, can
maintain certain cultures as well as form new ones [4, choose to either take up these potentials or not. Hence,
16, 23]. Yet, prior research falls short of explaining how this entity has agency or is an agent. Agency is defined
Chinese culture affects the design and ways of using as acting upon oneself rather than upon others in this
WeChat as well as how WeChat affects Chinese culture research. This is how agency is different from
in return. To further develop this understanding, this affordances that can potentially influence other actors or
research seeks to examine the interaction among agents. Equally important, we understand culture as a
Chinese culture, WeChat, and WeChat users. To set of complex connections, including established and
elaborate, this research attempts to investigate: 1) how emerging values and practices [3].
features of WeChat affect Chinese culture and users in The dimension of cultural affordances of technology
terms of their ways of doing and thinking, 2) how is what technology as a particular environment can offer
WeChat users affect the design of WeChat and Chinese to users to either reinforce established cultural values
culture, and 3) how Chinese culture affects the design and practice or to destabilize them by cultivating new
and ways of using WeChat. ones: it is contingent and contextual. Cultural
affordances of technology recognize the agency of users
2. Theoretical Framework and culture. For example, the feature of digital envelope
of WeChat allows users to practice the culture of
To address the research questions, this paper guanxi/interpersonal relationships [25]. The dimension
employs a novel definition of cultural affordances as its of cultural affordances of users is what a user can offer
theoretical framework. Coined by American to other users, technology, and culture: it showcases
psychologist James Gibson [21], the concept of how users utilize, negotiate with, affect other users,
affordances is described as “the affordances of the technology, as well as certain cultural values or practice.
environment are what it offers the animal, what it The dimension of cultural affordances of users
provides or furnishes, either for good or ill” (p. 127). acknowledges the agency of technology and culture: we
Scholars in the field of social media studies apply the argue that anything users post, like, or comment is what
notion of affordance to investigate what a social media they offer to technology and culture (as the environment
platform offers to its users and related effects. Yet, those of users). These activities do not have to be something
studies primarily focus on the technological aspect of an big; instead, the minimal actions that users take can
affordance. Later, the notion of cultural affordances is invite other users, technology, or culture to take actions
proposed to examine the cultural aspect of technology upon oneself to respond what is offered. For example,
and how culture can affect users’ ways of using users use seemingly consenting emojis to express
technology [15, 54, 61]. dissent on WeChat [76]. The dimension of affordances
Nonetheless, the prior understanding of cultural of the cultural is what a cultural value or practice can
affordances is insufficient to analyze the dynamic provide to affect individuals’ ways of doing and
interaction among technology, culture, and users in a thinking, including ways of designing and using
holistic way. These research focus on how established technology: it recognizes the agency of technology and
cultural values affect ways of using technology without users. The affordances of the cultural explores invisible
discussing how technology and users can affect culture and ambient culture: like a fish coming to understand
in return. For example, Turner and Turner [61] state that that it lives in water, it pays attention to collective ways
cultural affordances are features that are based on the of doing and thinking that we take for granted, reveals
objectified and historically developed meanings and the unnoticed and the sub-consciousness or
values. Costall [15] suggests that canonical affordances unconsciousness, and identifies looming norms as well
of an object refer to its particular normative meanings. as the unknown. For example, filial piety affects
Hence, the literature about the interaction between Chinese students’ ways of using WeChat [12].
technology and culture is still partial and incomplete. To In this empirical study, we examined the dynamic
respond to this theoretical vacuum, we offer a novel interaction among WeChat, users, and Chinese culture
definition of cultural affordances that contains three by applying the three dimensions of cultural affordances,
dimensions to assemble culture, technology, and users respectively: what WeChat can offer to users and
in a holistic way. Chinese culture, what users can offer to WeChat and
Page 2871Chinese culture, and what Chinese culture can offer in categories included “WeChat keeps family members
terms of the design of and ways of using WeChat. It closer”, “blocking friends who do not share the similar
should be noted that providing a final explanation of worldview”, and “do not like to see posts that are for
Chinese culture or users’ practices on WeChat goes showing off wealth”. Later, we conducted theoretical
beyond the scope of cultural affordances. Instead, coding to extract themes for a conceptual understanding
cultural affordances are utilized to explore the ongoing and identify the relationships among different themes.
interaction among ordinary people, technology, and The third-level themes include “certain traditional
culture. values are strengthened on WeChat”, “Chinese cultural
values affect users’ ways of using WeChat”, and
3. Methods “younger generation is leaving WeChat”. The process
of analyzing data was iterative – we continuously went
Data gathering took place from June to August 2020 back and forth among categories, themes, and data to
and included 10 in-depth, semi-structured interviews discover patterns and subject data to further scrutiny.
with WeChat users in China. We recruited the Finally, we arrived at distinct themes that highlight how
participants through a combination of purposive and WeChat, users, and Chinese culture interact.
snowball sampling. Our study was approved by the
institutional review board (IRB) at University of Hawaii 4. Preliminary Findings
at Manoa. The participants came from both Southern
and Northern China. This study selected five Findings from this initial sample, reported below,
participants from Northern China (e.g., Beijing, Shanxi will inform the next step of our research with an
province, Hebei province) and five participants from expanded sample.
Southern China (e.g., Zhejiang province, Hubei
Province). The age of our participants ranged from 25 to 4.1 Cultural Affordances of WeChat
45 years old. There were 4 men and 6 women. Our
criteria of recruiting participants were having the 4.1.1 Guanxi Culture is Strengthened
experience of using WeChat and an interest in Chinese Guanxi is a crucial cultural phenomenon in
culture. All interviews were conducted by the first Chinese society [10]. It is understood as an individual’s
author via WeChat video chat due to the outbreak of social connections or social ties [22, 39]. In general,
COVID-19. All interviews took place in Mandarin, and guanxi can be categorized into three types, which are
each interview was 60-90 minutes long. During the expressive ties, instrumental ties, and mixed ties [34].
interview, participants were asked for some background An expressive connection exists among family members
information, including age, occupation, years of using or close friends. An instrumental connection happens
WeChat, and daily hours of using WeChat, and then when someone needs to achieve an instrumental goal.
were asked the role of WeChat in their lives, the effect For instance, a passenger pays a taxi driver to get to a
of WeChat on their ways of living, and other related destination. A mixed connection occurs when people
questions. After the interview, follow-up discussion have some level of trust or affection with an
sessions were conducted to clarify and confirm related instrumental goal in mind. For example, a person
information. Each discussion session was 45-60 minutes maintains a good relationship with his/her neighbor, and
long. We also observed participants’ posts on WeChat. later this person asks the neighbor to check on the
During the interview, the first author took notes and kept apartment when he/she is away. In return, the neighbor
audio recordings. These recordings were transcribed in does not require any financial reward. Instead, the
Mandarin and then translated to English for analysis. neighbor expects the same level of help in the future.
After all transcriptions were imported into NVivo, we All participants expressed that their guanxi have
analyzed the data using the techniques of grounded been strengthened and increased by using functions of
theory as defined by Charmaz [7, 59]. To be specific, WeChat, such as WeChat group, QR code, and
our analysis began with “initial coding,” in which we Moments where users can post, read, like, and comment
assigned short phrases as codes. The first round of on other people’s posts. It is important to point out that
coding was done line-by-line within transcripts, so that participants do not only interact more with their direct
codes stayed close to data and remained open. Examples family members or close friends, but also with their
of first-level codes included “WeChat is an essential extended family members, high school classmates,
tool”, “adding someone only out of politeness”, and acquaintances, and random people (e.g., a flower seller)
“avoid using audio messages in a professional context”. with whom they previously communicated less or did
Then, we proceeded to analyze the initial codes by not maintain contacts with at all. Consequently, their
focusing on the most frequent or significant ones that social relations are increased in terms of the number of
can respond the research questions. Second-level their contacts as well as strengthened in terms of the
Page 2872depth of their communication. For instance, when the vegetable seller, other team members can be his witness
researcher asked about ways of using WeChat, a if the seller has any dishonest conduct. Hence, it can be
participant stated: said that using WeChat group can increase trust among
I used WeChat to stay in touch with my families strangers. Due to the increasingly fast of the pace of life
every day. I guess that every Chinese must have a in modern China, people have less time to spend with
WeChat group that includes all his/her family their families or neighbors, or on meeting new people.
members, including both direct family members Hence, it can be said that WeChat offers users’ an
and extended family members, such as aunts, opportunity to strengthen and increase one’s social
uncles, cousins who might live in other cities. In connections.
the morning, I normally receive some greetings The design of WeChat plays an important role in
from other family members, the weather forecast, terms of strengthening guanxi culture. A user needs a
and messages that remind me to add more clothes mobile phone number to register WeChat. Once
if the weather is bad, or some social news on that WeChat is installed on a phone, the default setting
day. I normally share my child’s pictures or videos allows a user to automatically add friends if he/she has
in the family WeChat group, especially during the their phone numbers. Consequently, many existing
pandemic. social connections are re-established on WeChat.
Another participant expressed that WeChat provides
4.1.2 Occupational Hierarchy as Culture is
her the opportunity to reconnect with her high school
Destabilized
friends:
People are traditionally separated into four social
I have three good friends in high school. If I missed classes based on occupations, which are shi as scholars,
them, I had to call them one by one back then. It is nong as farmers, gong as workers, and shang as
also hard to find the time to get together as we live businessmen [18]. This occupation classification is
in different cities. Now, we created our own associated with the hierarchical system of Confucianism
WeChat group, and the four of us can talk to each that can be traced back to late Zhou dynasty [18]. It is
other together either through video calls or text important to point out that the four occupations are
messages. So, we feel that we are still very close separated based on Confucian beliefs rather than one’s
to each other. socioeconomic status. In other words, scholars as an
Equally important, our research finds that WeChat occupation have higher reputation than businessmen
can provide users the opportunity to maintain contacts even though the businessmen could make more money.
with random people for instrumental needs and Even though the occupational classification was
transform a one-time interaction into a long-term tremendously increased in modern China, prior research
relation. For example, a participant shared that she shows that occupation still matters, and people are more
randomly found a flower shop that she likes. Later, she likely to associate with others within the same
added the owner on her WeChat list, “I can see the posts occupation [5].
of this owner on WeChat, and I find he works very hard. In contrast with prior research, our findings show
So, I feel that I can trust him. I always book flowers from that WeChat destabilizes the occupational class and its
him since then.” It can be said that trust plays an related cultural values. For example, a participant, who
important role in terms of creating and maintaining a has a master’s degree, shared that he and his fitness
social tie even though it is only for an instrumental coach became friends as they can maintain their
purpose. Being able to read other users’ posts on communication and see each other’s life through
WeChat provides the chance of increasing trust among WeChat after the fitness coach left for another gym. All
random people to further bonding a relationship. participants mentioned that they maintain contacts with
Similarly, another participant described his experience people from different occupations. For example, a
with a vegetable seller during the outbreak of COVID- participant explained:
19: On my WeChat friends’ list, there are people who
We cannot go out to buy food. People living in the I met randomly, such as couriers, real estate
same building created a WeChat group to help agents, people who run micro business on
each other. Someone invites a vegetable seller to WeChat. … I did not know what a courier’s life
join in our WeChat group. Later, I added him on looks like before, and now I feel like I became more
my WeChat list, and order stuff with him when I considerate as I know his life is not easy.
am busy. Whether intentional or not, users learn more about
In addition, the participant expressed that when people who come from other occupations through
using WeChat group to communicate with this Moments on WeChat. In doing so, the traditional
occupation hierarchy has been destabilized as WeChat
Page 2873provides users the opportunity to demonstrate different communication, turning off this person’s Moments, or
aspects of their lives and it is accessible to his/her blocking him/her completely on WeChat.
followers. When asking participants how WeChat affected
their communications with others, participants
4.1.3 Simplified Cultural Practices and Altered mentioned that they use the posts on Moments as a
Cultural Values crucial factor to decide to what extent they would
As a tradition, elders put money in red envelopes associate with a person or whether they want to keep this
and give them to children and unmarried family person on their WeChat. For example, a participant
members and wish them another healthy and safe year expressed that:
during Chinese Lunar Year [66]. People give red My wife had an intense debate with her friend
envelopes to express good wishes on many other toward an article she posted on her Moments.
occasions, such as weddings, birthdays, moving into a Later, my wife got tired of the debate and blocked
new apartment and other special anniversaries [41]. As this friend who she knew for a long time. Another
a replication of the real one, the digital red envelope is friend of mine told me that Moments is like his
very successful: the total payment reaches to 400 personal backyard. He welcomes anyone to visit
million Chinese yuan (USD$85 million) via 40 million this virtual space. Yet, he finds it is disrespectful
messages during the 2014 Chinese Lunar New Year [24]. or even assaulting if someone left negative
It can be stated that the feature of digital red packet comments.
allows a user to practice the established cultural values
Indeed, WeChat Moments provides a platform to
of filial piety and guanxi. Nonetheless, some
demonstrate a person’s opinion or lifestyle. Based on the
participants expressed that the digital version lost its
posts, users can have a general impression in terms of a
original meaning as the practice of giving red envelopes
person’s worldviews or values. Particularly, when there
became more casual and the genuine affection had been
is a social issue that causes controversial discussions,
altered with some instrumental purposes.
users can find people who are either likeminded or are
Likewise, people visit the graves of their ancestors
in the opposite side. It can be said that the worldview
to clean the surface and provide offerings on the Tomb-
becomes a salient factor to bond social ties on WeChat.
sweeping Day or Qingming Festival in early April each
Consequently, it may affect users’ social tie in reality.
year [26]. In 2014, a tomb-sweeping service was offered
on Taobao, a popular Chinese online shopping platform,
to people who cannot visit the cemetery by themselves 4.2 Cultural Affordances of WeChat Users
[2]. It raises immediate concerns about declining filial
piety and commercialization of cultural values [2]. In 4.2.1 Users’ Feedbacks and WeChat Design
2017, a cemetery in Nanjing offered a similar service The feature of Moments on WeChat offers three
that allows people to hire staff to clean tombs and place levels of privacy control to users, which are the contact
offerings, and they can watch the ritual through a level, the post level, and the temporal level [28]. It is
livestream on WeChat [1]. It seems that this service important to point out that these privacy settings have
became gradually acceptable. According to Shanghai been improved a couple of times. For example, in April
Civil Affairs Bureau, 2.19 million people used cloud 2012, Moments was first launched without the temporal
tomb-sweeping services in 2019 [26]. Due to the control. Users can only close their Moments if they want
outbreak of COVID-19, around 30 cities in China start to hide their posts. Due to users’ privacy concerns, a
to offer “cloud tomb-sweeping” services by utilizing new temporal control offered three options for time-
WeChat live broadcast [26]. Nonetheless, some limiting posts (last three days, last month, and last six
participants expressed that they would never use this months) [47]. In addition, our findings show that users
service, “I have to go there by myself, I will never pay require WeChat to listen to users’ feedbacks more when
for this. It totally misses the point.” developing new functions. For example, a participant
expressed that he noticed WeChat changed its privacy
4.1.4 Emerging Culture on WeChat: An Emphasis setting on WeChat Moments several times, “I once left
on Worldviews comments on WeChat official account to complain
Our findings show that having similar worldviews about the privacy settings on Moments as it only has two
plays a crucial role on WeChat. Users can share articles options. …I hope WeChat can listen to more users’
as well as express their opinions on their own Moments, feedbacks.” Another participant suggests WeChat
which provides an opportunity to all users to identify should provide more culture-friendly design to elder
people who do not share similar worldviews, life users, “my mother has a hard time to find the button of
perspectives, or moral values. Consequently, users can voice call. I found out that the sign of plus or ‘+’, which
take various actions from avoiding further means more functions, does not make sense to her.”
Page 28744.2.2 Younger Users Spend Less Time on WeChat cultural affordances are involved in this case: what the
Our finding resonates with prior reports that the feature of Moment offers and what users offer work
younger users (e.g., college students, users who are 25 together and eventually change the mainstream attitude
years old or younger) prefer QQ rather than WeChat due towards a social accident and its related cultural value
to anxiety and peer pressure. Developed by Tencent in and practice.
1999, QQ is an internet-based instant messaging
platform that offers many features, such as QQ Games, 4.3 Affordances of the Cultural on WeChat
QQ Mail, and Q Zone [72]. Different from WeChat,
users can register a QQ ID by using an email address 4.3.1 The Culture of Self-Discipline/Self-Regulation
without a mobile phone number [50]. Hence, it can be Self-cultivation is essential in Confucianism [37,
argued that QQ provides users more privacy in terms of 60]. Self-regulation or self-discipline is the way towards
users’ real identity. Thus, it provides them more space self-cultivation [60]. Rather than an abstract concept,
to express themselves without worrying about being Confucian moral philosophy offers specific ways for
criticized by their parents or colleagues. In contrast, practicing self-regulation [67]. For example, Confucius
younger users feel that they are monitored by their advises that a person should not show off one’s wealth
parents or supervisors on WeChat [8, 9]. One participant or be materialistic since it would let this person stand
mentioned that his/her daughter spent more time on QQ, out and cause disharmony, and one should be
and mainly uses WeChat to communicate with her circumspect about one’s speech and conducts as a
family members, “I did not know her QQ ID, so I did practice of self-regulation even when he is alone [36, 38,
not know how she would behave on QQ.” Another 63, 65].
participant points out that it is easier to look for people Our findings show that the principle of self-
who share overlapping interests on QQ by using search regulation or self-discipline still affects ways of using
interest groups on QQ. In contrast, WeChat does not WeChat. When users were asked about what kinds of
support this kind of search unless one knows the precise practices on WeChat make them uncomfortable, several
name of that WeChat group. It can be said that QQ is common issues are mentioned by all participants. Firstly,
more useful for younger users who still explore their a WeChat user is more likely blocked if he/she posts
hobbies. pictures for showing off. One participant expressed that
I used to have someone on my WeChat like to show
4.2.3 Bottom-up Communication on WeChat off. When he/she posts a picture, it is very easy to
When there is a discrepancy between an authority tell that what he/she really wants to show is the
and ordinary people, users sometimes choose to take logo of his/her new expensive car. Later, I blocked
initiative to express their own opinions via WeChat. him/her since I did not want to associate with
Consequently, the authority may change its original people like him/her.
attitude based on users’ posts on WeChat. For example,
Ma [40] states that WeChat users utilize screenshots to Not only showing off wealth, but also other types of
express dissent towards the treatment of two doctors showing-off practices are not welcome either, such as
during the beginning of COVID-19: eventually, the posting one’s child pictures/videos more than once a day
local government apologized, and the articles about or posting a series of videos (normally 10-second-long)
these two doctors could later be found online. Our while traveling. Participants find these kinds of
findings resonate this argument. One user expressed that: practices on WeChat annoying, and they may later
choose to hide this person’s posts on the Friend’s Circle
I can tell there is a change of attitude from the or even block this person. In contrast, several
authority between 1 to 3 am and after 3 am in the participants explained that they always pay attention to
morning on that day. From 1 to 3 am, the posts what kind of contents they post and how frequent they
about this doctor on WeChat had been deleted post on WeChat. All participants expressed that they
repeatedly and users kept posting it. After 3 am, follow the principle of keeping a low profile on WeChat.
one can tell that the opinion becomes unanimous. For example, a participant stated that:
It is like a dialogue that is mediated through
WeChat among users and the officials. I like to post it on WeChat when I travel. But I do
not post more than once a day, otherwise I am
Similarly, another participant shares that Moment worried that other people may find that I am
on WeChat provides a public space to individual users showing off.
to participate in social discussions, “I normally do not
post articles to express my personal opinion on In addition, participants stated that there are two
Moments. But on that day, I cannot help posting to functions on WeChat that they rarely used since it is
express my support to the doctor. It is a voice from the against their moral values. The two functions are Shake
bottom.” It is worth noting that two dimensions of & Shake and Drift Bottle. As a way of meeting strangers
Page 2875and making friends, Shake & Shake allows two or more themselves from posting anything that might be
users to match up if they shake their phones at the same controversial or negative (e.g., complain). For instance,
time [68]. Similarly, Drift Bottle is a function that lets when asking what kinds of practices that they are less
users meet strangers and become pen friends through likely to conduct on WeChat, one participant explained
opening a virtual drift bottle and reading messages from that:
strangers on WeChat. Most participants expressed that One should try to avoid posting anything that may
they never used the two features as they heard that cause a debate with your friends on WeChat. You
people use them to look for casual sexual relations. One can discuss these controversial issues in person.
user did try it once out of curiosity: Yet, it is hard to fully explain yourself on WeChat.
I randomly open the Shake & Shake on my phone. Hence, I’d rather avoid.
I was not sure what it was used for and kind of Another participant stated that:
curious. When I shook my phone, I got a couple of
During the MeToo movement in 2018, I had
greetings from strangers immediately. However,
several intense debates with my friends on WeChat.
the languages were vulgar for me.
I just said whatever came to my mind right away
In 2018, the popular function of Drift Bottle is under that friend’s post. But I won’t do it anymore.
suspended as Tencent “discovered through user I am trying to use a way to express my opinion as
complaints and media reports that the drift bottle well as make others feel comfortable. If I really
function was used to disseminate pornography and disagree with someone, I will leave a private
solicit prostitutes” [6]. It can be argued that two message to this person rather than leave comments
dimensions of cultural affordances, which are cultural directly under his post since our common friends
affordances of users and affordance of the cultural, may see it.
affect what WeChat can offer in return.
Indeed, what WeChat offers could affect the way of
expressing one’s opinion. So does a cultural value. In
4.3.2 The Culture of Harmony
this case, what the cultural value of harmony offers
Harmony is an essential concept in Confucianism
eventually affects this participant’s way of using
that is deeply rooted in Chinese culture [57]. It includes
WeChat. Additionally, our findings show that there are
three elements, which are harmonious relationships with
ways of showing respect to authorities on WeChat. For
others, the unity of humans and nature, and the practices
example, users mentioned that they do not use voice
of Middle Way or avoiding extreme conduct [57]. It can
messages to communicate with supervisors. Instead,
be argued that maintaining harmonious relationships
they write messages in a concise and respectful manner
with others is the most crucial one in the relation-
while avoiding using casual language, emoji or
oriented Chinese society. Specifically, to protect
misspelling. Most participants claimed that the nature of
harmonious relationships with others, one should not
a subordinate-supervisor relationship does not change
complain about others publicly since it may make this
even though one can add each other on WeChat: “you
person lose face [32]. Additionally, when making a
may be able to see a bit more about his personal life or
comment, one should leave some space for ambiguity
know the nickname of your boss on social media.
rather than providing an absolute right or wrong
However, it won’t change the fact that he is still your
judgment as the context may change [12]. Equally
boss.”
important, one needs to follow the social/institutional
hierarchy to maintain a harmonious relationship, such as
4.3.3 Gender Culture on WeChat
between children and parents, students and teachers, and
Prior research claims that in modern China,
subordinates and leaders [14,73].
particularly in large cities like Shanghai, Guangzhou, or
Our findings reveal that the concept of harmony
Beijing, younger women are more influenced by
affects users’ way of using WeChat. For example, the
Western values, whereas the older generation is still
design of WeChat allows a user to add someone quickly
influenced by traditional Chinese values and practices
either via a QR code, a phone number, or a WeChat ID
[30, 31]. Nonetheless, our research presents a different
[13]. Participants expressed that it is very hard to refuse
aspect of the narrative. Female participants mentioned
someone’s WeChat invitation even though sometimes
that they chose not to post contents that might be against
they do not want to accept, particularly in a face-to-face
their images as mothers. For example, one participant
context. Put differently, refusing someone’s invitation
shared with us that she never posted anything about a
on WeChat may make the invitee lose face and disturb
music band she really likes, “my posts are open to all
the harmonious relationship between the two. In
my followers, including my parents-in-law. I did not
addition, participants rarely leave negative comments or
want to hide anything from anyone. …I really like a
challenging questions on other people’s posts to protect
music band, but I am afraid what my mother-in-law
the harmonious relationship. Likewise, they restrained
Page 2876might not be pleased if she saw I posted a handsome Chinese cultural attributes are inherent in the design of
singer who is much younger than me.” Likewise, WeChat [46, 62]. Due to the limitation of resources, we
another participant mentioned that she was worried did not include WeChat designers as part of the research
whenever she posted anything about her pet, “I treat my but are seeking access in the future.
pet as my child, but I did not know how my parents and In terms of the three dimensions of cultural
parents-in-law react to that. I guess that they might think affordances, our preliminary findings show that they are
I should have a child instead of treating my pet as my more likely to interact with each other simultaneously
child. … but I did not block them since it is too rather than following a certain sequence. It can be
complicated for me.” It can be argued that the ways that argued that Chinese cultural values and practices can
women who live in large cities use WeChat are still hugely affect the design and ways of using WeChat.
affected by traditional values in terms of their gender Hence, it can be said that the more cultural attributes are
role. Additionally, the culture of filial piety can embedded in a technological platform, the greater
indirectly affect their ways of using WeChat as well. chance that it will be accepted by users. Nonetheless,
when cultural affordances of technology are against
5. Discussion affordances of the cultural, cultural affordances of users
can play an essential role to influence and sustain the
As shown in the preliminary findings, what the interaction among the two. Further research should be
cultural affordances of WeChat offer include conducted to provide more detailed examples.
strengthening, destabilizing, altering, and fostering
various cultural values and practices. For example, the 6. Implications, Limitations, and Future
culture of guanxi is strengthened through the features of Research
WeChat Group, Moments, and the design of WeChat
that allows users to add a new contact through multiple This research deepens the understanding of cultural
convenient ways. In contrast, the occupational hierarchy affordances by applying the notion to WeChat,
is destabilized since users can easily access the lives of demonstrating that the interaction among WeChat, users,
people from different occupations via Moments. The and Chinese culture is a multidirectional simultaneous
feature of digital red envelope on WeChat not only alters process rather than a unidirectional movement in a
the traditional cultural practices of giving red envelopes particular order. The study has a number of limitations.
but also its cultural values and replaces it with a culture Firstly, the findings cannot be presumed to generalize to
of convenience and casualness. Additionally, WeChat a larger population due to the limited number of
fosters a culture that emphasizes similar worldviews. participants. However, it helps us to test the
The cultural affordances of WeChat users include applicability of cultural affordances to WeChat,
their feedbacks, posts, and ways of using/disusing formulate a basis in terms of understanding how
WeChat; and it can cause changes to the design of WeChat, users, and Chinese culture interact, and
WeChat, sustain certain cultural practices and values, prepare for the further research that will include WeChat
and affect authorities’ attitude towards social issues. designers and more younger participants. Secondly, the
Users invent their own ways of using WeChat regardless study only focuses on WeChat and Chinese culture: care
the intentions of the designer, or disuse certain features should be taken when generalizing findings to other
if it is against their own values. What Chinese cultural countries and other social media platforms. As this is the
values and practices can offer are guidance in terms of very first research applying the three-dimensional
using and designing WeChat. It is worth noting that definition of cultural affordances to WeChat, we chose
multiple cultural values and practices can add together a small sample size to test and explore its application.
to affect ways of using and designing WeChat. For Even though the findings are preliminary, it contributes
example, the culture of self-regulation and harmony can to expand our understanding of how one can utilize the
both be the reasons of not leaving a negative comment notion of affordances to examine the interaction among
on WeChat. Additionally, the feature of Moments can culture, technology, and individual users. Further
strengthen guanxi culture and weaken the value of research with a larger sample size and WeChat
occupational hierarchy simultaneously. These examples designers will be conducted in the future.
suggest that it will be problematic if we look for a fixed
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