Cohesion in cycling neo-tribes: a netnographic approach

Asan K., Chi C. G., YOLAL M.

LEISURE STUDIES, vol.41, no.3, pp.389-404, 2022 (SSCI) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 41 Issue: 3
  • Publication Date: 2022
  • Doi Number: 10.1080/02614367.2021.2006277
  • Journal Name: LEISURE STUDIES
  • Journal Indexes: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, IBZ Online, Periodicals Index Online, Business Source Elite, Business Source Premier, CAB Abstracts, Geobase, Hospitality & Tourism Complete, Hospitality & Tourism Index, Political Science Complete, Psycinfo, Social services abstracts, Sociological abstracts, SportDiscus, Veterinary Science Database, Worldwide Political Science Abstracts
  • Page Numbers: pp.389-404
  • Keywords: Special interest group, leisure and recreational community, cycling, neo-tribe, cohesion, netnography, BEHAVIOR, TRANSLATION, HOSPITALITY, MOTIVATION, TOURISTS
  • Anadolu University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

People come together and create new communities around their special interests. Although the members of these communities, defined as neo-tribes, have highly individualistic, fluid and reflexive identities, they share 'an intense sense of us', in other words, cohesion. This study presents a netnographic examination of two different cycling communities in Turkey to explain the concept of cohesion in neo-tribes. The results of the study indicate that the neo-tribe members express their cohesion under the themes of acting together, entertaining together, collaboration, appreciation, shared values and shared concerns. This study allows for a better understanding of the cycling community and provides important insights to developing cycling for leisure, recreation and tourism purposes.