From Thematic Analysis and Meta-Synthesis to Integrated Model Design: An In-Depth Exploration of Knowledge Architecture in Influencer Ecosystem Typologies

Abstract



Purpose: Aiming to bridge the gap in our systematic understanding of influencer ecosystems, this research seeks to design and present an integrated and dynamic conceptual model. The model will explain the complex interactions between human actors, technological structures, and the prevailing economic logic within this domain.

Methodology: The present study employs a two-stage qualitative approach. In the first stage, 28 reputable qualitative studies published between 2020 and 2025 were systematically selected using the PRISMA protocol. Data from these studies were then analyzed using “thematic analysis,” and initial conceptual codes were extracted. In the second stage, employing a “meta-synthesis” (meta-ethnography) strategy, the extracted themes were synthesized at a higher level of abstraction, leading to the creation of a comprehensive conceptual model.

Findings: The primary achievement of this research is the presentation of a “Dynamic Three-Dimensional Architectural Model.” This model explains the influencer ecosystem as an organic and co-evolutionary structure within three interconnected layers: 1) the human core (including relational dynamics, social capital, and precarious labor); 2) the technological scaffolding (including algorithmic governance, platform architecture, and analytical tools); and 3) the economic engine (including the evolution of business models and the professionalization of the industry). Findings indicate that concepts such as “perceived authenticity” are a “strategic performance,” platform “algorithmic governance” acts as a legislator, and a cyclical dynamic and feedback loop between these three dimensions is the primary driving force behind the evolution of this ecosystem.

Conclusion: By moving beyond one-dimensional and fragmented analyses, the presented model provides a systemic analytical lens for understanding, analyzing, and predicting future trends in the creator economy. This conceptual framework has significant theoretical implications for digital media studies and notable practical implications for influencers, brands, and policymakers.



Keywords: Influencer Ecosystem, Creator Economy, Meta-Synthesis, Thematic Analysis, Algorithmic Governance, Perceived Authenticity, Conceptual Model

Abstract



Purpose: Aiming to bridge the gap in our systematic understanding of influencer ecosystems, this research seeks to design and present an integrated and dynamic conceptual model. The model will explain the complex interactions between human actors, technological structures, and the prevailing economic logic within this domain.

Methodology: The present study employs a two-stage qualitative approach. In the first stage, 28 reputable qualitative studies published between 2020 and 2025 were systematically selected using the PRISMA protocol. Data from these studies were then analyzed using “thematic analysis,” and initial conceptual codes were extracted. In the second stage, employing a “meta-synthesis” (meta-ethnography) strategy, the extracted themes were synthesized at a higher level of abstraction, leading to the creation of a comprehensive conceptual model.

Findings: The primary achievement of this research is the presentation of a “Dynamic Three-Dimensional Architectural Model.” This model explains the influencer ecosystem as an organic and co-evolutionary structure within three interconnected layers: 1) the human core (including relational dynamics, social capital, and precarious labor); 2) the technological scaffolding (including algorithmic governance, platform architecture, and analytical tools); and 3) the economic engine (including the evolution of business models and the professionalization of the industry). Findings indicate that concepts such as “perceived authenticity” are a “strategic performance,” platform “algorithmic governance” acts as a legislator, and a cyclical dynamic and feedback loop between these three dimensions is the primary driving force behind the evolution of this ecosystem.

Conclusion: By moving beyond one-dimensional and fragmented analyses, the presented model provides a systemic analytical lens for understanding, analyzing, and predicting future trends in the creator economy. This conceptual framework has significant theoretical implications for digital media studies and notable practical implications for influencers, brands, and policymakers.



Keywords: Influencer Ecosystem, Creator Economy, Meta-Synthesis, Thematic Analysis, Algorithmic Governance, Perceived Authenticity, Conceptual Model