The influence of computer mediated communication on social capital: a disaggregated approach

Abstract

In a work environment that is dominated by distributed work, virtual teams, and knowledge sharing, social capital enabled by computer mediated communication (CMC) has become a critically important, but increasingly more difficult resource for individuals to manage. Social capital is built on the foundation of social interactions; developing and maintaining it relies on communications that are increasingly supported by communication technologies (CT). Various studies have reported that computer-mediated communication (CMC) increases, decreases and has no effect on social capital [10]. These conflicting effects necessitate a disaggregated approach to theoretical understanding and empirical analysis of effects of CMC on social capital. In this research program, I synthesize and extend research on CMC and social capital by theorizing about the influence of CT on structural, cognitive, and relational social capital and thus on the outcomes of the social capital such as information sharing, satisfaction and performance.