Academic Journal of Humanities & Social Sciences, 2024, 7(12); doi: 10.25236/AJHSS.2024.071225.
Chen Mo1, Sun Yanfeng2
1Center for Neighborhood Communication Studies, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
2School of Journalism & Communication, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
This study systematically examines the theoretical development and academic contributions of Neighborhood Communication Studies (NCS) since its inception in 2013. Through a comprehensive analysis of theoretical literature, empirical research, and institutional archives (2013-2024), this study demonstrates how NCS has evolved into an innovative theoretical framework with distinctive characteristics rooted in Chinese scholarly traditions. The research identifies three major theoretical innovations: First, NCS transcends traditional media-centric approaches by establishing a "tri-body communication" framework that extends the scope of inquiry to all forms of information flow phenomena. Second, it introduces the "four proximities" theoretical construct—geographical, kinship, linguistic, and cultural proximities—offering fresh perspectives for understanding cross-cultural communication. Third, it proposes the "limited effectiveness" principle, revealing the spatial attenuation patterns in communication effects.The study demonstrates how NCS has developed systematic methodological tools through innovations in "T-shaped" (temporal-spatial) and "X-shaped" (cross-disciplinary) research approaches. This theoretical framework is now supported by a comprehensive research infrastructure in China, including digital libraries, databases, and the Spatial Communication Geographic Information System (SCGIS). Empirical evidence suggests that NCS demonstrates significant explanatory power in analyzing regional communication and cross-cultural communication phenomena. The study also addresses the theory's limitations, including challenges in theory-practice translation and international dissemination, while offering recommendations for future research directions. As an evolving theoretical paradigm, NCS contributes new dimensions to the global genealogy of communication theories.
Neighborhood Communication Studies, communication theory innovation, regional communication, cross-cultural communication, Chinese communication research
Chen Mo, Sun Yanfeng. Neighborhood Communication Studies: Theoretical Innovation in Chinese Communication Research and Its Global Significance. Academic Journal of Humanities & Social Sciences (2024) Vol. 7, Issue 12: 158-164. https://doi.org/10.25236/AJHSS.2024.071225.
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