Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

WeChat Red Envelops: Literature Review and Future Research Directions

  • Conference paper
  • First Online:
Service-Oriented Computing – ICSOC 2018 Workshops (ICSOC 2018)

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Computer Science ((LNPSE,volume 11434))

Included in the following conference series:

  • 1724 Accesses

Abstract

As an innovative Internet product grounded in Chinese particularistic culture, WeChat Red Envelops has received increasing attention from both academics and practitioners. A considerable number of studies have been conducted to investigate the WeChat Red Envelops phenomenon. However, the extant literature has been very scattered and little effort has been devoted to integrating the existing findings. Consequently, our understanding of the WeChat Red Envelops phenomenon is fragmented and limited. Against this background, this study conducted a systematic review of extant studies, summarized the current research status, identified the research gaps and accordingly provide future research directions. We believe that this study offers an important foundation for future research to conduct in-depth investigation and advance our understanding regarding WeChat Red Envelops.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Notes

  1. 1.

    WeChat Red Envelops is used as a term which refers particularly to the red envelops function of WeChat. It is an Internet product from a consumer perspective.

References

  • Cai, C., Shang, H., Lertsiriworapong, T.: A study of motivation factors of grab red envelopes phenomenon: a case study of WeChat, In: Proceedings of the Fourth International Conference on Management Science, Innovation, and Technology, Bangkok, Thailand, pp. 120–132 (2017)

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen, N., Rau, P.-L.P.: Group participation influence on members’ gifting behaviors in a social game. In: Rau, P.-L.P. (ed.) CCD 2016. LNCS, vol. 9741, pp. 34–42. Springer, Cham (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-40093-8_4

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Cheng, B.: Criminal law issues and regulatory path of WeChat red envelops. J. Tianshui Adm. Coll. 17(5), 27–30 (2016). (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Dong, T.: An empirical analysis of the WeChat cases of WeChat red envelops. Leg. Syst. Soc. 4, 59–63 (2017). (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Du, L.: The status quo and prevention of WeChat gambling. Net Moon Acad. J. 4, 80–85 (2016). (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Feng, J.: Research on communication strategy based on network social relation structure—from WeChat red envelops. Southeast. Commun. 4, 80–82 (2014). (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Feng, L.: Research on the popular situation of WeChat red envelops. Journal. Commun. 18, 74–76 (2015). (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Gregor, S., Hevner, A.R.: Positioning and presenting design science research for maximum impact. MIS Q. 37(2), 337–355 (2013)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guha, S., Kumar, S.: Emergence of big data research in operations management, information systems, and healthcare: past contributions and future roadmap. Prod. Oper. Manag. 27(9), 1724–1735 (2018)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Holmes, K., Balnaves, M., Wang, Y.: Red bags and WeChat (wēixìn): online collectivism during massive chinese cultural events. Global Media J. Aust. Ed. 9(1), 1–12 (2015)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hu, B.: An exploratory study of the influence of interpersonal communication on WeChat red envelops. West. Acad. J. (News Commun.) 4, 43–45 (2016). (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Huang, C., Gao, X.: The legal risk of WeChat red envelops under the background of internet finance and its prevention. J. Beijing Polit. Law Vocat. Coll. 4, 77–82 (2015). (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Huang, D., He, J., Cai, H., Lin, J.: Analysis on the characteristics of WeChat red envelops gambling and countermeasures. J. Zhejiang Police Coll. 4, 76–80 (2016). (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Huang, X.: An Empirical Study on the Use Behavior of WeChat Red Envelops and Its Influencing Factors. Hua Zhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan (2016). (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • iResearch.: 2017 China Social Application Demand Value White Paper (2017). (in Chinese). http://report.iresearch.cn/report/201709/3072.shtml

  • Kantar.: 2017 China Social Media Impact Report (2017). (in Chinese). http://b2b.toocle.com/detail–6408264.html

  • Katz, E., Blumler, J.G., Gurevitch, M.: On the use of the mass media. Am. Sociol. Rev. 38(2), 164–181 (1973a)

    Google Scholar 

  • Katz, E., Blumler, J.G., Gurevitch, M.: Uses and gratifications research. Pub. Opin. Q. 37(4), 509–523 (1973b)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lee, A.S., Hubona, G.S.: A scientific basis for rigor in information systems research. MIS Q. 33(2), 237–262 (2009)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li, D.: Research on space-time utility of WeChat payment, In: Proceedings of the Second International Conference on Humanities and Social Science Research, pp. 228–232. Atlantis Press (2016a)

    Google Scholar 

  • Li, D., Liu, J., Ma, M., Zhang, C.: WeChat red envelops, consumers grab or not grab: interpretation based on mediation model of participation motivation and psychological resistance. J. Acad. Mark. Sci. 12(1), 18–37 (2016). (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Li, S.: Perspective on the legal risk of WeChat red envelops. Jinan J. (Philos. Soc. Sci. Ed.) 38(10), 74–81 (2016b). (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Li, W.: On the duality of WeChat red envelops related crimes and criminal regulations. J. Guangxi Polit. Leg. Manag. Cadre Coll. 25(4), 66–71 (2016c). (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Li, X., Zhang, J.: Discussion on the rise of WeChat red envelops from the perspective of communication. Today Media 23(6), 105–107 (2015). (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Liang, F.: WeChat red envelops. News Outpost 4, 92 (2014). (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Liao, L.: Grab WeChat red envelops, can’t stop it! China Telecom Ind. 3, 50–51 (2014). (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu, D., Santhanam, R., Webster, J.: Toward meaningful engagement: a framework for design and research of gamified information systems. MIS Q. 41(4), 1011–1034 (2017)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu, J.: Looking at the WeChat red envelops from the internet thinking marketing. Mark. Res. 3, 37–38 (2014). (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu, W., He, X., Zhang, P.: Application of red envelopes–new weapon of WeChat payment, In: Proceedings of the Fifth International Conference on Education, Management, Information and Medicine, pp. 704–708. Atlantis Press, Shenyang (2015)

    Google Scholar 

  • Luo, K., Zhao, Y.: Organizing others to grab wechat red envelops and tapping the profit should open a casino crime. China Prosec. 18, 11–13 (2018). (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Mo, D.: WeChat red envelops triggers mobile payment battle. Comput. Netw. 5, 13 (2014). (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Park, L.J.: WeChat Red Bags: How International Students from China Use Social Media While Attending a Public University in California. University of California, Los Angeles (2016)

    Google Scholar 

  • Qi, T.: An exploratory study of the investigation of online gambling crime cases—taking WeChat red envelops gambling as an example. J. Beijing Police Coll. 3, 76–82 (2017). (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Shang, X., Feng, Y.: How to rectify WeChat red envelops gambling. Mod. World Police 2, 91–92 (2016). (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Shen, S., Chen, Y.: An exploratory study of the influence of WeChat red envelops propagation on interpersonal relationship. Sci. Technol. Commun. 8, 110–111 (2015). (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Shi, X.: Fraudulent behavior and legal supervision in wechat red envelops mobile payment. People’s Forum 11, 111–113 (2016). (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Sun, R.: Analysis on the characteristics of WeChat red envelops and its propagation effect. Journal. Commun. 3, 22–23 (2016). (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Tarafdar, M., Gupta, A., Turel, O.: The dark side of information technology use. Inf. Syst. J. 23(3), 269–275 (2013)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tecent, T.: New Trend Report of 2017 Mobile Red Envelops (2017). (in Chinese). http://tech.qq.com/a/20170204/004129.htm#p=23

  • Tian, H.: Legal problems and countermeasures in WeChat red envelops. J. Chongqing Ind. Trade Vocat. Tech. Coll. 1, 81–86 (2015). (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Tian, J.: Analysis of the Chinese new year red envelops customs in WeChat red envelops. News Res. Guide 7(19), 88–89 (2016). (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Venkatesh, V., Brown, S.A., Bala, H.: Bridging the qualitative-quantitative divide: guidelines for conducting mixed methods research in information systems. MIS Q. 37(1), 21–54 (2013)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vodanovich, S., McKenna, B., Cai, W.: Cultural values inherent in the design of social media platforms: a case study of WeChat, In: Pucihar, A., Borštnar, M.K., Kittl, C., Ravesteijn, P., Clarke, R., Bons, R. (eds.) Proceedings of the Thirtieth BLED eConference, Bled, Slovenia, pp. 617–627 (2017)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang, H., Wang, S.: Analysis of the influence of WeChat red envelops on the construction of interpersonal relationship. Southeast. Commun. 4, 64–67 (2016). (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang, N.: Study on the Phenomenon of WeChat Red Envelops Propagation. Liaoning University, Shenyang (2016). (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang, R.: Analysis of the positive and negative effects of WeChat red envelops on interpersonal communication. Southeast. Commun. 7, 77–80 (2015). (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Webster, J., Watson, R.T.: Analyzing the past to prepare for the future: writing a literature review. MIS Q. 26(2), 13–23 (2002)

    Google Scholar 

  • WeChat.: WeChat Data Report During the Spring Festival of 2018 (2018). (in Chinese). https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/ALLqMzV2Tubg2-6kQjVWwg

  • Wei, Y.: Communication analysis of the prevalence of WeChat red envelops. Mod. Audiov. 5, 271–273 (2015). (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wu, J., Liu, L., Huang, L.: Exploring user acceptance of innovative mobile payment service in emerging market: the moderating effect of diffusion stages of WeChat Payment in China, In: Proceedings of the Twentieth Pacific Asia Conference on Information Systems, pp. 1–16. AIS Electronic Library (2016)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wu, L.: Thinking behind WeChat red envelops fanaticism. Mod. Women (late) 6, 321 (2014). (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Wu, Z., Ma, X.: Money as a social currency to manage group dynamics: red packet gifting in chinese online communities. In: Proceedings of the 2017 ACM SIGCHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems, Denver, CO, USA, pp. 2240–2247. ACM (2017)

    Google Scholar 

  • Xie, C., Putrevu, J.S.H., Linder, C.: Family, friends, and cultural connectedness: a comparison between wechat and facebook user motivation, experience and NPS among Chinese people living overseas. In: Rau, P.-L.P. (ed.) CCD 2017. LNCS, vol. 10281, pp. 369–382. Springer, Cham (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-57931-3_30

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Xiong, W.: WeChat red envelops: characteristics of new gambling activities and countermeasures. Public Secur. Educ. 2, 29–34 (2016). (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Xu, Q., Song, Q.: New thoughts on WeChat red envelops: using WeChat as an example to analyze the success factors of new media products. China Media Technol. 3, 27–30 (2014). (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Xu, X.: The influence of WeChat red envelops on chinese new year culture from the perspective of new media. Today Media 24(10), 45–48 (2016). (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Yan, M.: Talking about the functional tendency of social media communication—taking WeChat red envelops as an example. News Res. Guide 6(10), 5–6 (2015). (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Yan, W.: Looking at the network marketing method from WeChat red envelops. Time Finan. 3, 222–223 (2016). (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Yang, K., Li, S.: An exploratory study of tencent’s marketing thinking behind WeChat red envelops. Mark. Wkly. Theor. Res. 2, 54–55 (2015). (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Yang, S., Chen, J.: Research on Audience demand based on use and satisfaction theory—from WeChat red envelops. Publ. Wide Angle 10, 67–69 (2016). (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ye, Q.: Research on marketing strategy of WeChat red envelops based on social relationship. News World 4, 133–134 (2015). (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Yin, R.K.: Case Study Research: Design and Methods. Sage Publications, Thousand Oaks (2013)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zeng, T.: Analysis on the product marketing thinking of WeChat red envelops. Mark. Wkly (Theory Res. 6, 76–77 (2014). (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, X.: Interactive research on WeChat red envelops in the perspective of interactive ceremony chain. Journal. Res. Guide 3, 8–9 (2016). (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhao, W.: Behind the WeChat red envelops: the key points of new media brand marketing. Audiovisual 6, 150–151 (2015). (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhou, S.: On the basis of communication audience psychology to explore the madness of online red envelops. Journal. Res. Guide 8, 224 (2015). (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhu, W.: From the marketing strategies in didi WeChat red envelops to see the user sharing behavior in the mobile internet. News World 4, 97–98 (2015). (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This research was supported in part by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (71501042), the Social Science Foundation of Beijing City (17XCC008), the Program for Young Excellent Talents of UIBE (17YQ16), the China Scholarship Council (201806645005), and the Foundation for Disciplinary Development of SITM in UIBE.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Information Technology and Management, University of International Business and Economics, Beijing, 100029, China

    Zerun Chen & Rui Gu

Authors
  1. Zerun Chen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Rui Gu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Rui Gu .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Deakin University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia

    Xiao Liu

  2. University of Pau and Pays, Pau Cedex, France

    Michael Mrissa

  3. Fudan University, Shanghai Shi, China

    Liang Zhang

  4. LIRIS Lab, University Lyon 1, IUT, Villeurbanne Cedex, France

    Djamal Benslimane

  5. School of IT and Computer Science, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia

    Aditya Ghose

  6. Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, China

    Zhongjie Wang

  7. Scientific and Technological Hub, Fondazione Bruno Kessler (FBK), Trento, Italy

    Antonio Bucchiarone

  8. Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia

    Wei Zhang

  9. Queen’s University, Kingston, ON, Canada

    Ying Zou

  10. Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY, USA

    Qi Yu

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2019 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this paper

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this paper

Chen, Z., Gu, R. (2019). WeChat Red Envelops: Literature Review and Future Research Directions. In: Liu, X., et al. Service-Oriented Computing – ICSOC 2018 Workshops. ICSOC 2018. Lecture Notes in Computer Science(), vol 11434. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-17642-6_5

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-17642-6_5

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-17641-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-17642-6

  • eBook Packages: Computer ScienceComputer Science (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation