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

Abstract

New computer media have been portrayed in contradictory ways (Rice, 1999;Wellman et al., 1996). On the one hand, they are seen as providing a reduced cues environment that is ill-suited to emotional, expressive or complex communications , and responsible for longer decision times, anti-social aming behaviors and decreased social involvement (Daft & Lengel, 1986;Finholt & Sproull, 1990;Fish et al., 1993;Kiesler & Sproull, 1992;Kraut et al., 1998;Lea et al., 1992). On the other hand, new media are seen as integrative, connecting disparate others (Constant et al., 1996;Feldman, 1987;Pickering & King, 1995), increasing the involvement of peripheral players (Eveland & Bikson, 1988;Sproull & Kiesler, 1986, 1991, consolidatin g existing connections (Lind & Zmud, 1995), and supporting rich online communities (Jones, 1995(Jones, , 1998Kiesler, 1997;Smith & Kollock, 1999; Sudweeks et al., 1997). These contradiction s make it dif cult to assess the impact of new media, and to plan for its implementation and use. The emphasis on explanations about the impact of electronic media alone often fails to consider that medium in its context, along with more traditional media and face-to-face communications , and the needs and tasks of communicators. Although researchers in communication technology have put forward theories of media use, there is still a need for theories that provide a "framework for synthesis and integration of empirical ndings" (Stein eld & Fulk, 1990, p. 13).This article argues that viewing these results from the perspective of the strength and nature of the social network tie between communicators can help integrate and synthesize these disparate ndings, as well as the use of both electronic and nonelectronic means of communication. The main argument of this article is that the use and impacts of media are dependent on the type of tie connecting communicators. The tie determines the ways, means, and expression of communications , and it determines the motivation, needs, and desires for communication. This perspective begins with the social network tie between communicators and the way in which they 385

Insights into New Media Use by International Students: Implications for Cross-Cultural Adaptation Theory

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“…Arguably, an international student has the ability to accumulate new weak tie host national connections through SNS at a much faster rate than in the past; connections that can be sustained by introducing a third, more recent type of social connection, latent ties, which have become more relevant with new media advances. A latent tie can be thought of as a tie for which a link is technically available but that has not yet been initiated by social interaction [43]. An important characteristic of latent ties is that they are not established by individuals, but through organizational structures, such as through internal email lists [43].…”

“…Haythornthwaite [43] categorizes online exchanges as being as real as offline exchanges in terms of their impact on the tie and argues that it does not matter if the tie is maintained face-to-face or online, the relationship is what is important. McLuhan and McLuhan's Laws of Media theory [71] is particularly relevant here.…”

Do the rich get digitally richer? Quantity and quality of support for digital engagement

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UsingFacebookto improve communication in undergraduate software development teams

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