COMPUTER-NETWORKS AND SCIENTIFIC WORK

This paper explores the relations between social context and technolog y by studying the incorporation of computer mediated communication (CM C) across several fields. Based on interviews with 67 scientists in fo ur fields, we find that computer network use differs substantially by field, and we explain these differences in terms of the different soci al structures and work organizations of each field. The results sugges t that fields that consist of tightly coupled but geographically dispe rsed work groups (for example, particle physics) tend to adopt CMC mor e heavily than those where work is performed within relatively autonom ous groups (for example, experimental biology). Also, fields that are more buffered from the market (mathematics) tend to use informal CMC, while those more tightly linked to commercial markets (chemistry) tend to limit use to formal CMC. This study supports previous research in suggesting that the form of technological innovation depends on the co ntext into which new technology is embedded.