The Role of Geography in Social Networks: CouchSurfing as a Case Study

This research examines travel behavior using an Internet-based website, CouchSurfing, which provides free lodging with local residents. Increases in computing power and accessibility have led to novel e-travel techniques and the users of such systems utilize an amalgamation of social networks, transportation networks, and data communication networks. Thus the focus is on how the geographical spread of people in a modern, digital social network influences the travel choices of each individual in the network. A general model is presented that describes traveler behavior using a cost-free lodging network. Also presented for this type of travel behavior is an information representation and visualization methodology utilizing time-geographic dimensions. One survey explored factors that affect the number of times an individual participates in an activity in the network: being a host or guest, while a second examines social capital and how it is influenced by geography and the distinct roles a person can play within the social network. Survey results suggest that ties with individuals at longer distances have more of an influence on overall social capital than connections at shorter distances.

• Record URL:
  http://www.uctc.net/research/UCTC-DISS-2011-06.pdf
• Record URL:
  https://merritt.cdlib.org/d/ark%3a%2f13030%2fm50005vn/1/UCTC-DISS-2011-06.pdf
• 
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/778846613
• Supplemental Notes:
  • This research was sponsored by the U.S. Department of Transportation, University Transportation Centers Program. Dissertation submitted in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Philosophy in Geography, University of California, Santa Barbara.
• Corporate Authors:

  University of California Transportation Center (UCTC)

  University of California, Berkeley
  2614 Dwight Way, 2nd Floor
  Berkeley, CA  United States  94720-1782

  California Department of Transportation

  1120 N Street
  Sacramento, CA  United States  95814

  Research and Innovative Technology Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Pultar, Edward
• Publication Date: 2011-9

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: Appendices; Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 145p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Demographics; Geography; Location; Mobility; Travel behavior
• Candidate Terms: Social networking
• Subject Areas: Highways; Passenger Transportation; Society; I70: Traffic and Transport;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01485777
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: UC Berkeley Transportation Library
• Report/Paper Numbers: UCTC-DISS-2011-06
• Files: CALTRANS, UTC, TRIS, RITA, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Jul 8 2013 10:17AM