Exploring the linkage between offline collaboration networks and online representational network diversity on social media

ABSTRACT Building on the symbiotic sustainability model, this study investigated how offline collaboration networks are related to organizations’ representational networks on social media. We analyzed survey data from disaster risk reduction organizations in North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific regions, along with these organizations’ representational networks on Facebook (N = 108) and Twitter (N = 96). Results showed that diverse offline collaboration networks are positively related to diverse representational tie building on Facebook via organizations’ sense of mutuality. By contrast, homogeneous offline collaboration networks are positively related to diverse representational tie building on Twitter via mutuality and openness to collaboration. This study contributes to research on interorganizational networks and social media, particularly concerning the offline–online connection in the field of interorganizational communication.