The flow of information across international boundaries: A quantitative and analytical study

This dissertation is an examination of theoretical perspectives underlying transborder information flow. After an examination of previous studies, an attempt was made to lay a foundation for the identification and development of theoretical perspectives and propositions, with particular attention focused on interdisciplinary contributions and coherence. An analysis of citation, content, and translation in Chinese library and information science literature in different political circumstances (1890-1949; 1949-1962; 1963-1976; and 1977-1989) is used to show how the direction of transborder information flow is influenced by political realities. The volume of flow is positively related to societal openness. The greater the societal openness, the higher volume of flow, and vice versa. A growth trend is often dampened in the period of restrained openness. Different forms of transborder information flow (i.e., citation, content, and translation) exhibit similar patterns. The distribution of the flows is highly skewed. A large number of countries contribute a small flow of information and a few countries contribute an overwhelming proportion of information flow. The content of flow is positively related to the images and perceived advantages of foreign countries. Human flow may contribute to the transborder information flow by increasing awareness of and receptiveness to non-indigenous information. People who have been educated abroad tend not only to function as gatekeepers in filtering information flow across national boundaries, but also to function as mediators between their host and home countries. The impact and effects of transborder information flow is heavily influenced by social context. The extent of impact and effects is positively related to the hospitability of its contexts.;Citation theories are placed in the framework of international flow of information because citation is a universal phenomenon and needs to be considered in an international context. The very strong correlation between citation and translation suggests that the combination of normative and microsociological perspectives is a necessary step in the quest for a satisfactory theory of citation.