Electronic Message Systems in the University: A Description of Use and Utility

Abstract

A detailed study suggests that, contrary to popular belief, people do not necessarily attribute greater benefits to using computer-based messaging as they gain experience; in addition, they tend to prefer diflerent media depending upon the task, their organizational status, attributes of the medium, and their own personalities.Local telecommunications networks, which can connect individuals within communities of any size, configuration, and purpose, are being used increasingly for the exchange of messages. The Advanced Research Projects Agency network (ARPANET), for example, was established so that government-funded researchers could have access to host computers at other locations, but instead was used predominantly for the exchange of messages among the researchers (17).Many organizations have adopted computer-based communication systems to facilitate their internal communication. The popular names for such systems range from "electronic mail" to "computer conferencing" to "office automation"

Strong, Weak, and Latent Ties and the Impact of New Media

“…Strong ties may be affected positively by the addition of new means of communication when that medium provides further means and opportunitie s for contact and acts as a complement to existing communications methods (Lind & Zmud, 1995;McKenney et al, 1992;Rice, 1992a;Rice & Case, 1983;Rice & Shook, 1990a;Sproull & Kiesler, 1991;Wellman et al, 1996). Weak ties may be affected positively when the medium expands the reach and basis for initiating and maintaining ties, providing a means through which previously unconnected individual s can now initiate contact (Constant et al, 1996;Culnan & Markus, 1987;Wellman et al, 1996).…”

A comparison of computer conferences with face-to-face meetings for small group business decisions

“…Group problem solving through business and scientific applications of computer conferencing, and its close relative electronic mail, have been studied in some detail (Caswell 1988, Chess and Cowlishaw 1987, Grayson 1983, Hiltz and Turoff 1981, Kerr and Hiltz 1982� Kiesler 1986, Livingston 1984, Philips 1982, Rice 1987. Specific educational applications have also been investigated (Bissell et al 1987, Hiltz 1986, Kaye 1987, Mason 1987, McCreary and Van Duren 1987, Rice and Case 1983, Ujimoto and James 1987, Welsch 1982). There are a wide variety of systems available to support these applications (Chess and Cowlishaw 1987, Flavin 1985, Livingston 1984, Meeks 1985 but the success of computer-mediated communications for widely dispersed group members is obviously dependent upon the availability of data communication networks (Quarterman and Hoskins 1986).…”

Communication Technologies and their Effect on Cultural Homogeneity, Consensus, and the Diffusion of New Ideas

“…Instead, much of the literature focuses on technological features and usage (Ennos 1990;Rice and Case 1983;Sproull and Kiesler 1986), its psychological and social-psychological consequences (Eisenstein 1979;Freeman 1984;Goody 1968;Kiesler, Siegel, and McGuire 1984;Rice 1984), or historical accounts (Innis 1956;del Sola Poole 1977;Reynolds and Wilson 1978). Admittedly, a common question asked is whether communication technologies will replace or enhance existing networks or social structures (Thorngen 1977).…”