COMPUTER-NETWORKS AS SOCIAL NETWORKS - COLLABORATIVE WORK, TELEWORK, AND VIRTUAL COMMUNITY

When computer networks link people as well as machines, they become so cial networks. Such computer-supported social networks (CSSNs) are bec oming important bases of virtual communities, computer-supported coope rative work, and telework. Computer-mediated communication such as ele ctronic mail and computerized conferencing is usually text-based and a synchronous. It has limited social presence, and on-line communication s are often more uninhibited, creative, and blunt than in-person commu nication. Nevertheless, CSSNs sustain strong, intermediate, and weak t ies that provide information and social support in both specialized an d broadly based relationships. CSSNs foster virtual communities that a re usually partial and narrowly focused, although some do become encom passing and broadly based. CSSNs accomplish a wide variety of cooperat ive work, connecting workers within and between organizations who are often physically dispersed. CSSNs also link teleworkers from their hom es or remote work centers to main organizational offices. Although man y relationships function off-line as well as on-line, CSSNs have devel oped their own norms and structures. The nature of the medium both con strains and facilitates social control. CSSNs have strong societal imp lications, 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 h ome bases.