数字平台信息茧房的成因及治理路径——基于元分析与fsQCA的组合研究

Causes and Governance Pathways of Information Cocoons on Digital Platforms—A Combined Study Based on Meta-Analysis and fsQCA

摘要: 在数字经济时代，以电子商务平台为代表的数字平台通过个性化推荐算法深刻重塑了用户的信息获取与消费决策模式，但算法驱动的信息茧房效应日益成为制约数字市场公平竞争与消费者自主选择权的重要治理难题。本文综合运用元分析与fsQCA方法，系统探析数字平台信息茧房的成因及数字化治理路径。首先，基于元分析，识别出8个稳健影响因素，以及2个辅助因素，化解了以往研究中“算法主导”与“用户主导”的理论分歧。其次，开展fsQCA组态分析，发现技术特征是信息茧房形成的必要条件，并揭示了两条差异化形成路径：一是“用户特征–技术特征”驱动的算法固化型路径，二是“用户感知–环境特征–技术特征”驱动的社交诱导型路径。基于上述发现，本文从制度规制、技术治理、素养赋能和行为自治四个层面构建了“四位一体”的数字化协同治理框架，为破解数字平台信息茧房困境提供了循证依据与靶向策略。

Abstract: In the era of the digital economy, digital platforms represented by e-commerce platforms have profoundly reshaped users’ information acquisition and consumption decision-making patterns through personalized recommendation algorithms. However, the algorithm-driven information cocoon effect has increasingly become a significant governance challenge constraining fair competition in digital markets and consumers’ autonomous choice. This study systematically explores the causes and digital governance pathways of information cocoons on digital platforms by integrating meta-analysis and fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA). First, through meta-analysis, eight robust influencing factors and two auxiliary factors are identified, reconciling the theoretical divergence between “algorithm-dominant” and “user-dominant” perspectives in prior research. Second, the fsQCA configurational analysis reveals that technological characteristics constitute a necessary condition for the formation of information cocoons and uncovers two differentiated formation pathways: (1) an algorithm-reinforcement pathway driven by “user characteristics-technological characteristics,” and (2) a social-induction pathway driven by “user perception-environmental characteristics-technological characteristics.” Based on these findings, this study constructs a “four-in-one” digital collaborative governance framework encompassing four dimensions—institutional regulation, technological governance, literacy empowerment, and behavioral self-governance—providing evidence-based support and targeted strategies for addressing the information cocoon dilemma on digital platforms.