Face-to-face and electronic communications in maintaining social networks: the influence of geographical and relational distance and of information content

Abstract

Using data collected among 742 respondents, this article aims at gaining greater insight into (i) the interaction between face-to-face (F2F) and electronic contacts, (ii) the influence of information content and relational distance on the communication mode/ service choice and (iii) the influence of relational and geographical distance, in addition to other factors, on the frequency of F2F and electronic contacts with relatives and friends. The results show that the frequency of F2F contacts is positively correlated with that for electronic communication, pointing at a complementarity effect.With respect to information content and relational distance, we find, on the basis of descriptive analyses, that synchronous modes/services (F2F and telephone conversations) are used more for urgent matters and that asynchronous modes (in particular email) become more influential as the relational distance increases. Finally, ordered probit analyses confirm that the frequency of both F2F and electronic communication declines when the physical and relational distance to social network members increases.

Memahami Motivasi Pengguna untuk Terus Menggunakan Halaman Jaringan Sosial (Understanding Users’ Motivation to Continue Using Social Networking Sites (SNS))

“…The social interaction using SNS can be examined easily by exploring the differences and similarities between FtF and CMC, which has been explored by (Lonkila & Gladarev, 2008;Tillema, Dijst, & Schwanen, 2010). Social media is considered a breakthrough for individuals and organizations in terms of engaging in interactions (Kaplan & Haenlein, 2010).…”

A social network perspective on ICT and urban travel

“…(Axhausen, 2002;Arentze and Timmermans, 2008; there are few investigations at the level of social networks. And even amongst the few studies that have been done, only a sample part of the ego's (individual's) network is used for the study so as to constrain the workload of the respondent (Tillema et al, 2010). Finally, due to a large variation in sociocultural and spatial context, results from empirical studies are not immediately transferable to other countries, like India in this case.…”

“…Physical travel and e-communication are therefore, with respect to communication, a means to the same end. The mode (physically/electronically) of communication often depends on "with whom" the interaction is taking place (Tillema et al, 2010).…”

“…Tillema et al (2010) study five family members or friends the individuals communicated with. This was done to reduce the load of the people being interviewed.…”

“…The key task then is to ask the appropriate specific questions that will elicit the network members relevant for the specific phenomenon of interest. The number of alters elicited can be limited (Tillema et al, 2010) or unlimited (like in this study). There is an extensive literature that compares different name generators (Marsden, 2003;Marin and Hampton, 2007;Pustejovsky and Spillane, 2009).…”