In this paper, we report an investigation on the use of multiple social media in knowledge work and explore the contribution of activity theory for such a study. As social media are increasingly adopted at work, there is a demand to understand how they are being incorporated. This study focuses on how social media may improve or reduce coherence in work activities, and for this purpose, we use activity theory as an analytical lens to conceptualise social media usage in a Scandinavian software development company. The qualitative data, consisting of interviews and observations, were analysed to capture the mediating role of social media for information sharing within and across work activities. We found social media in general helpful to maintain coherence in terms of sharing work‐related information, improving ambient awareness, as well as for socialising, but they also caused inconsistencies in use and adoption. In addition, we found that social media served different purposes in different activity systems, causing both contradictions and congruencies; what was seen as a benefit for some work activities appeared as a limitation for others (eg, concerning pace and aims of information sharing). In our findings through the lens of activity theory, we observed how objects, although they were shared, were fractionalised in networked activities. Our conclusion is that despite the still unoptimised functionality, social media do bring coherence in work activities in a decentralised work environment.
This research investigates a conventional professional work practice and hesitant attitudes and feelings related to an introduction of a social media tool for communication and collaboration. The study was conducted at a wellestablished, international product development company in the electronic industry. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were carried out with engineers from the company's R&D site. Based on the data analysis, the key findings focus upon a perception of Social Media Discomfort (SMD). Factors that constitute SMD can be divided into factors relating to arenas of social interaction (socialness) and into factors mirroring a goal-orientation in attending to work duties (usefulness). The study extends our understanding of why people might reject new social media tools. The results of this study indicate that it happens if the tools are perceived as disconnected to established structures, tools, norms and ideals shared in the workplace. The SMD occurs especially in connection with the adoption of the tool. Understanding the dual nature of uncertainty, i.e. socialness and usefulness, in relation to new social media tools is of relevance for both practitioners and scholars working with issues of the increasingly complex information environment at work.
Over the last two decades the use of Activity Theory has grown within the field of information studies. However, while there is a budding community, the use and development of Activity Theory in information studies remains underdeveloped and fragmented. This community building workshop provides an opportunity to: (1) introduce information scholars to the basic conceptual premises of Activity Theory focusing on the use, development and contribution of Activity Theory; (2) provide a forum to extend the development of Activity Theory; and (3) It will also provide a networking opportunity for scholars already utilizing Activity Theory and an opportunity to discuss the contributions iSchool scholars can make to the wider Activity Theory community.
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