Synergies and Competition Between Life in Cyberspace and Face-to-Face Communities

A strong research program is proposed that examines how the social design/organization of electronic forums strengthens or weakens group life in workplaces and communities.

Abstract

This article questions three common assumptions: that (a) electronic forums will necessarily strengthen preexisting face-to-face territorial (and other intact) communities, (b) electronic forums will replace them with comparably prosocial forms, and (c) "market forces" will naturally foster prosocial electronic forums. It proposes a strong research program that examines how the social design/organization of electronic forums strengthens or weakens group life in workplaces and communities.