Abstract
Social networks have been around since the dawn of civilization. What is unique about social networks today is that a large part of these social networks is computer-mediated. Computer-mediated friendship networks (CMFNs) are a prime example of IT that matters. This research-in-progress focuses on the antecedents to CMFN usage based on Self-Determination Theory and Socio-Emotional Selectivity Theory. Findings show that Perceived Intrinsic Value, Perceptions of Homophily, and Perceptions of Emotional Support as well as Stage of Life impact CMFN usage in interesting ways. Contributions of this study include 1) showcasing the important role that friendship style plays in CMFNs, 2) empirically demonstrating the role of intrinsic motivation in an information system which has been unsuccessful previously, and 3) extending the literature on computer-mediated social networking by defining and analyzing a particular category of computer-mediated social networks, namely, the CMFN, which has not been examined previously in the literature.
Recommended Citation
Jacks, Tim and Salam, A. F., "Computer-Mediated Friendship Networks" (2009). ICIS 2009 Proceedings. 115.
https://aisel.aisnet.org/icis2009/115