Social capital theory perspective on the role of academic social networking sites

This study explores the impact of academic social networks (ASNs) on the quantity and character of social capital in the academic community of South East Europe (SEE). ASNs are interactive platforms that have emerged as influential tools that impact numerous facets of the academic experience and offer new avenues for acquiring social rights and responsibilities. Applying social capital theory, we examine the relationship between the characteristics of academic users and the ASNs metric. We undertake a network analysis of all SEE research output. Using logistic regression, ANOVA, and mean comparisons, we further investigate the relationship between academic user characteristics and ASNs' metrics on 888 academics from the SEE region. We assess academics' positions in relation to three prominent ASNs: ResearchGate, Academia.edu, and Google Scholar. According to the findings, academic rank, research field, and institution rank matter in the metrics of ASNs, which correspond to the manifestation of social capital.