Social isolation and integration in electronic environments

This paper examines the role of communications technology advances in affecting social interactions in groups and organizations. A discussion of the functions of communication and contact leads to the development of the conceptof the 'electronic environment'. Past researchidentifies issuesof . a person's need for contact and the costs and benefits of contact in computer-mediated or other electronic communications media. In this paper, these issues focus on social isolation, integration, and feedback between group members as vital aspectsof effectivegroup interaction. Understanding of these aspects is presented as a key to appreciating the influence of communications media on organizational and social behaviour. Although the initialfocus of this paper is on interactions between individuals within a group, applications are also discussed regarding interactions between groups, or between individuals and others outside the primary group. Examinations of the implications of the concept of electronic environments includesdirectionsfor future developmentand integration of research perspectives.