This study examines why some social networking sites （SNSs） stagnate while other SNSs grow by comparing Cyworld with Facebook. Cyworld was one of the most successful SNSs in the world, but its international expansio...This study examines why some social networking sites （SNSs） stagnate while other SNSs grow by comparing Cyworld with Facebook. Cyworld was one of the most successful SNSs in the world, but its international expansion efforts failed. Facebook＇s open technology has had considerable influence on various sectors of the economy and society and allowed it to become a dominant SNS at the global level, whereas Cyworld has remained a local SNS. Facebook＇s open platform and application programming interface （API） pose a serious challenge to Cyworld＇s walled-garden approach. Cyworld is based on strong ties fostering close relationships, whereas Facebook expands social networks through its open and weak ties and has more network power than Cyworld. Therefore, openness is the main reason behind the rise of Facebook and the fall of Cyworld.展开更多
文摘This study examines why some social networking sites （SNSs） stagnate while other SNSs grow by comparing Cyworld with Facebook. Cyworld was one of the most successful SNSs in the world, but its international expansion efforts failed. Facebook＇s open technology has had considerable influence on various sectors of the economy and society and allowed it to become a dominant SNS at the global level, whereas Cyworld has remained a local SNS. Facebook＇s open platform and application programming interface （API） pose a serious challenge to Cyworld＇s walled-garden approach. Cyworld is based on strong ties fostering close relationships, whereas Facebook expands social networks through its open and weak ties and has more network power than Cyworld. Therefore, openness is the main reason behind the rise of Facebook and the fall of Cyworld.
