Social networks in transnational and virtual communities

Vivian, N. and Sudweeks, F. (2003) Social networks in transnational and virtual communities. In: Informing Science + Information Technology Education Joint Conference, 24-27 June 2003, Pori, Finland.

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Abstract

There has been extensive research on social networks but little is known about why some communities survive and some disintegrate. This paper provides a framework to explain similarities in many types of communities. In particular, a comparison of transnational communities and virtual communities highlights the efficacy of the framework in explaining how strong relationships within communities are dependent on social formation factors such as a sense of identity, social structures and social capital.