Graduation Semester and Year
Summer 2025
Language
English
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy in Management Science
Department
Information Systems and Operations Management
First Advisor
Dr. Kay-Yut Chen
Second Advisor
Dr. Jennifer Zhang
Third Advisor
Dr. Edmund Prater
Fourth Advisor
Dr. Mahmut Yasar
Abstract
In the evolving world of digital content creation, Twitch stands out as a key platform where streamers interact with audiences in real time, building communities around shared interests. As its influence grows, understanding what drives streamer success and community engagement becomes crucial. Chapter 2 examines the relationship between streamer popularity and effort, measured by streaming hours. Using a game-theoretic model estimated via non-linear least squares, we find a concave relationship: as popularity increases, streamers increase their hours up to a point, then reduce effort. This highlights how effort responds to diminishing returns and supports a strategic view of content creation. Chapter 3 explores Twitch raids and their effects on viewership and engagement. Using panel data models, we find that recent raids boost exposure and foster reciprocal relationships, but their impact fades over time. These findings emphasize the importance of timing and mutual support in building a presence on Twitch. Chapter 4 investigates how streamers allocate time to their primary game. We find that streamers focus more on popular games and when others are doing the same, reflecting attention-based behavior and herding. Conversely, experienced and popular streamers diversify their content, using their resources and audience to explore new directions. Together, these chapters provide a multi-faceted view of the Twitch ecosystem, highlighting how strategic behavior, social dynamics, and market signals shape success in digital streaming.
Keywords
Twitch streaming, Streamer popularity, Community engagement, Game theory, Digital content creation, Twitch raids, Effort allocation, Audience growth, Live streaming, Social media
Disciplines
Business Analytics | Management Information Systems | Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | Operations and Supply Chain Management
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Desai, Roopa Ramesh, "DYNAMIC INTERACTIONS IN THE TWITCH ECOSYSTEM: A MULTI-FACETED STUDY ON STREAMER POPULARITY, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, AND CONTENT VARIATION" (2025). Information Systems & Operations Management Dissertations. 80.
https://mavmatrix.uta.edu/infosystemsopmanage_dissertations/80
Included in
Business Analytics Commons, Management Information Systems Commons, Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods Commons, Operations and Supply Chain Management Commons