The VideoWindow system in informal communication
CSCW '90 Proceedings of the 1990 ACM conference on Computer-supported cooperative work
Informal workplace communication: what is it like and how might we support it?
CHI '94 Proceedings of the SIGCHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems
Collective intelligence in computer-based collaboration
Collective intelligence in computer-based collaboration
Interaction and outeraction: instant messaging in action
CSCW '00 Proceedings of the 2000 ACM conference on Computer supported cooperative work
Decision Support Systems and Intelligent Systems
Decision Support Systems and Intelligent Systems
Cultivating Communities of Practice: A Guide to Managing Knowledge
Cultivating Communities of Practice: A Guide to Managing Knowledge
What is chat doing in the workplace?
CSCW '02 Proceedings of the 2002 ACM conference on Computer supported cooperative work
Information Systems Research
Issues and Opinions---Information Technologies in Business: A Blueprint for Education and Research
Information Systems Research
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It has been recognised for many years that informal communication is an important part of effective work and, thus, vitally important in organisations. However, research on the informal dimensions of information systems is rare. In this paper, Fish et al.'s (1990) model that distinguishes between the characteristics of the informal and formal dimensions of Computer-Mediated Communication (CMC) is further developed. The enhanced model is exemplified and tested by analysing three applications of CMC, in which different media are used for different purposes. The applications illustrated that a medium may be more or less useful for supporting informal or formal communication. However, the most important influence on the degree of formality was the task and how the medium was used, rather than the medium itself. The model was useful for exploring the informal and formal dimensions of CMC. It is argued that even though the model proposed here needs to be further developed, it can be useful as support for researching, choosing and designing CMC media and applications of varying degrees of formality. Finally, future research challenges on the formal and informal dimensions of CMC are suggested.