LEADERSHIP CUES TASK AND CONVERGENCE

Blog 5

REVISED NARROWED THESIS

With the convergence emergence generation upon us, virtual communities are becoming the latest fashion trend within the scope of computer-mediated communication (CMC), precisely, the environment of the internet. From on-line game communities to fan forum threads, these virtual communities are serving as social, psychological, competitive, and task oriented entities for their participants.

I contend that because these virtual communities are relevant to convergence models and its noted concepts, their intricacies, as a community group, recognize the traditional hierarchal concept of emergence of leadership and within their realms and this traditional leader-role emergence within the confines of the on-line CMC utilizes cyber-based context and tasks to determine leadership selection rather than normal face to face verbal and non-verbal cues of leadership determination. I further contend that convergence of mediums and their usage plays a role in the cyber-based context that is utilized to determine virtual community leadership selection.

ARTICLES

White, N. (2004), Facilitating and hosting a virtual community. Retrieved
February 26, 2009, from http://www.fullcirc.com/community/communityfacilitation.htm

Summary

This article discusses the concept of virtual community leadership roles through the facilitation process within the context of recognized leadership tasks in a virtual leadership role. Tasks such as providing guidance, clear mission and purpose, helping to meet groups goals, fostering member motivation, providing and encouraging skilled communication, team building, conflict management, enhancing a comfortable environment for members and ensuring that virtual group members needs are met are discussed. These leadership tasks all take place in a virtual community therefore; convergence of technology and its use play a role in the strength of virtual leadership facilitation and successful task completion.

Koh, J., Kim, Y., Butler, B. and Bock G. (2007, February). Encouraging participation in virtual
Communities. Communications of the ACM, 50(2), 69-73. Retrieved February 25, 2009
From Academic Search Premier database.

Summary

This article discusses the structure and roles of leadership in virtual communities and how computer mediated communication with the inclusion of several converged mediums, graphical, textual, and video interfaces (avatars, graphic images, video chat) play a role in leadership role and tasks. It defines virtual community and connects technology in the context of leadership tasks while defining the importance of integrated technology to the success of leadership task.

Yu, C., & Young, M. (2008, February). The virtual group identification Process: a virtual
Educational community case. CyberPsychology & Behavior, 11(1) 87-90. Retrieved
February 25, 2009, doi:10.1089/cpb.2007.9929

Summary

This article discussed virtual communities as social interaction groups in the context of the establishment of virtual group identities. It clearly defines the role of group leadership and its importance to the identity and strength of a virtual group through discussion of leadership tasks or cues.

Butler, B., (2001). Membership size, communication activity, and sustainability: a resource-
Based model of online social structures. Information Systems Research; Dec 2001;
12, 4; ABI/INFORM Global pg. 346-362

Summary

This study examined virtual communities within the context of size, activity, and sustainability and how these factors play a determinant role in the structure of a virtual group. The areas discussed were resource availability, leadership task, communication activity, (volume and variation of posts), the discussion of text converging with internet as alternative to “physical/face to face communication infrastructures” are discussed (p.351).

RELATION TO THESIS

These articles are the foundation for presenting the main context of my thesis, the emergence of traditional leadership concepts in the structure of CMC cyber-based context or virtual communities. They present individual task factors of virtual community leadership emergence and the role convergence of mediums (text, video, internet, graphics, etc.), plays in perception and actuality of virtual leadership position.