Real Time Communication - Modes of Use in Distributed Teams

SkypeTM has become a prominent and successful example of a new genre of computer-mediated communication environments called Real Time Communication (RTC). A limited set of integrated features enable instantaneous text, voice and video communication across the globe for free. However, an analysis of the features or affordances of the technology does not reveal the wealth and creativity of forms and modes of using SkypeTM. Hence we have collected five case vignettes to illustrate how SkypeTM has been embedded into the daily routines of distributed teams. From a theoretical lens, this comparative study shows how general purpose technology can only be properly understood in context because users shape the forms of usage to a large extent through processes of appropriation. The study also provides insights into processes of technology appropriation and the various roles and appearances of presence in virtual work settings.