During the last years, an increasing interest in on-line forums are observable
within different functional
areas of society. Here one is able to detect communicative processes which are
lively, vibrant and
equipped with a remarkable durability. Nevertheless, flame-wars or down-shuts
also occur. The question
arouse what explains these differences in group success? A satisfying answer
relays on a complex
interplay of different variables like user-structure, group age, and topics.
We will provide a framework
to analyse these interdependencies systematically. Challenges for such a framework
are threefold:
a) communication must be the key concept,
b) it has to reflect the relational, network aspect
c) as well as the dynamic of the communicative process.
Based on concepts like interactivity, social visibility and elements of Luhmann’s
system theory, we
provide a research matrix that distinguish four analytical levels (message,
thread, actor, topic) and
combines them with four communicative dimensions (relational, subject, temporal,
social).
Das Konzept zu dieser Dissertation mit starken
Fokus auf die Methodologie wurde auf der Jahrestagung
der International Communication Association ICA in Dresden im Juli 2006 vorgestellt.
Forschungsinteressen: Kommunikation, Neue Medien, Internet und Gesellschaft,
Netzwerkanalyse,
Organisationssoziologie