Online forum give people new opportunities to interact with each other. It is a new mean of coping with problems at work.
This paper reports an investigation of interaction structures within two forums on the web (general and specialized), examining different ways to expose a problem and different manifestations of social support.
Results reveal two structures: << centralized >> and << distributed >>. Authors of discussions may use different processes, using more or less expressions of their emotions. Helpers can show their support by sharing similar experiences, or providing opinion-advice and opinion-analysis on the situation or the solution, with or without emotional support.
The analytical method was tested on seven conversations and it will be extended to further conversations.
This research will contribute to propose recommendations to improve social support forums for professionals and to know if this type of support is satisfying for the participants.
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