In this paper we propose an approach to recommend to a user similar users, resources and social networks in a Social Internetworking Scenario. Our approach presents some interesting novelties with respect to the existing ones. First of all, it operates on a Social Internetworking context and not on a single social network. Moreover, it considers not only explicit relationships among users but a...

The potential of information technology to facilitate collaboration in education has grown considerably in recent years. The use of Web videoconferencing, whereby learners in an online classroom can simultaneously collaborate using audiovisual communication tools, increases the learner’s ability in social and emotional expression, thus improving communication which may enhance learning satisfac...

A sociological theory that is appropriate to the processes of globalization has as its testing ground the ability to capture the morphostasis/morphogenesis of relations, which includes the morphostasis/morphogenesis of structures, culture and agency. This is the task that defines what a relational sociology has to be. The morphogenesis of relations is not the result of the morphogenesis of its ...

Based on two popular theoretical frameworks regarding media choices of rational choice and social influence (Markus 1987; Trevino et al. 2000) the main theme of this paper is to investigate applicability of these frameworks on a case where the pattern in usage and collective meaning of a medium is shaped in the cultural context. Focusing on the phenomenon of many Asians preferring not to send e...

Ever since the beginnings of the internet researchers have questioned its utility in developing and maintaining psychological healthy romantic and sexual relations. Advocates of the social presence theory and media richness theory purport that in leaner media individuals can be quite aggressive towards one another (e.g., in the form of flaming). In contrast, others believe that the lack of trad...

In this paper, we develop and test methods for evaluating information network utilization and electronic communication in enterprises. First, we present a holistic model for evaluating the e-level (level of electronic information network utilization) of a company. The model consists of seven factors: communication, integrity, presence, strategy, resources, business operations, and networks. The...

The purpose of this study was to examine students’ academic self-concept and social presence in face-toface (FTF) and online version of the same course, and to examine the effects of these two variables on student learning achievement and satisfaction. A total of 257 undergraduate students enrolled in a digital design course were randomly assigned to either of two treatments: one offered FTF in...

Installing a live camera in an office or laboratory can provide reliable high-quality communication among collaborators who are physically separated, but may also lead to privacy concerns. We propose a technique for displaying presence information using a three-dimensional object as a mask that covers the image of people in the live camera system. Our technique enables information to be shared ...

This paper analyzes the scalability of Instant Messaging & Presence (IM&P) architectures. We take a queueing-based modelling and analysis approach to find the bottlenecks of the current IM&P architecture at the Dutch social network Hyves, as well as of alternative architectures. We use the Hierarchical Evaluation Tool (HIT) to create and analyse models analytically. Based on these results, we r...

This case study explores the role of the online instructor and how they influence student satisfaction. While there has been a substantial body of literature on what impacts on student satisfaction when students study online, there is far less literature focussing on how the instructor mediates this satisfaction, in particular satisfaction related to quality of feedback and teaching. This case ...