Computer Networks as Social Networks: Collaborative Work, Telework, and Virtual Community

When computer networks link people as well as machines, they become social networks. Such computer-supported social networks (CSSNs) are becoming important bases of virtual communities, computer-supported cooperative work, and telework. Computer-mediated communication such as electronic mail and com...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Annual review of sociology Vol. 22; no. 1; pp. 213 - 238
Main Authors: Wellman, Barry, Salaff, Janet, Dimitrova, Dimitrina, Garton, Laura, Gulia, Milena, Haythornthwaite, Caroline
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: Palo Alto, CA Annual Reviews Inc 01.01.1996
Annual reviews
Annual Reviews, Inc
Subjects:
Communities
Community structure
Computer conferencing
Computer mediated communications
Computer networks
Computer supported cooperative work
Computers
Email
Information networks
Information technology
Interpersonal Communication
Interpersonal Relations
Machinery
Newsgroups
Organizational communication
Personal relationships
Social aspects
Social life & customs
Social networking
Social Networks
Social support
Sociology
Sociology of communication and mass media. Sociolinguistics
Sociology of knowledge and sociology of culture
Technology application
Telecommunications
Telecommuting
Virtual communities
Social relations
Information system
Computer Science
Development
Computer
Social network
Community
Occupational activity
Communication
ISSN:0360-0572, 1545-2115
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:When computer networks link people as well as machines, they become social networks. Such computer-supported social networks (CSSNs) are becoming important bases of virtual communities, computer-supported cooperative work, and telework. Computer-mediated communication such as electronic mail and computerized conferencing is usually text-based and asynchronous. It has limited social presence, and on-line communications are often more uninhibited, creative, and blunt than in-person communication. Nevertheless, CSSNs sustain strong, intermediate, and weak ties that provide information and social support in both specialized and broadly based relationships. CSSNs foster virtual communities that are usually partial and narrowly focused, although some do become encompassing and broadly based. CSSNs accomplish a wide variety of cooperative work, connecting workers within and between organizations who are often physically dispersed. CSSNs also link teleworkers from their homes or remote work centers to main organizational offices. Although many relationships function off-line as well as on-line, CSSNs have developed their own norms and structures. The nature of the medium both constrains and facilitates social control. CSSNs have strong societal implications, fostering situations that combine global connectivity, the fragmentation of solidarities, the de-emphasis of local organizations (in the neighborhood and workplace), and the increased importance of home bases.
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ISSN:0360-0572
1545-2115
DOI:10.1146/annurev.soc.22.1.213