Technologies of status management status dynamics in e-mail communications

Abstract

This chapter considers the social structuring processes that occur in groups using computer medicated communications (CMC). Building on a model of status dynamics in face-to-face groups, we develop a series of propositions that indicate how characteristic differences between face-to-face and computer-mediated communications media are likely to affect the behaviors used by individuals to manage their status in a group setting. We propose several types of behaviors or moves that appear to be used to create, negotiate, and manage status in electronically communicating groups. We use qualitative field data from on-going teams to illustrate this perspective of how communication technology can shape the informal social structures of groups.

Citation

Owens, D.A., Neale, M.A. and Sutton, R.I. (2000), "Technologies of status management status dynamics in e-mail communications", Neale, M.A. and Mannix, E.A. (Ed.) Research on Managing Groups and Teams (Research on Managing Groups and Teams, Vol. 3), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 205-230. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1534-0856(00)03011-5