Cognitive Elements in the Social Construction of Communication Technology

Social constructivist theories of communication technology in organizations propose that interactions with social agents influence technology-related cognitions and behaviors. Empirical evidence of such influences was found for a sample of 65 research and development personnel. Each individual's communication partners were identified using communication network measures. In an analysis using LISREL VII, individuals' cognitions of their combined network partners' attitudes and behaviors in using electronic mail predicted the individuals' own attitudes and behaviors. Implications of these findings for social constructivist and media richness theories of communication technology are discussed.

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