Computer-mediated Communication Research Articles

Mastering trust and commitment in the virtual age

Purpose This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings This study investigated virtual team members’ perception of trust and commitment when using computer-mediated communication across different industries. The results showed that communication method significantly impacted trust and commitment levels, while industry type alone did not produce significant differences. Visual communication methods consistently demonstrated higher trust scores across all industries compared to non-visual methods. Key managerial insights emanating from the findings emphasize the importance of strategic tool selection and the universal benefits of visual communication tools in building trust across virtual teams, regardless of industry context. Originality/value The briefing saves busy executives, strategists and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.

The Development of Intercultural Competence for Teachers of English as a Foreign Language through an Instructional Design Project

Most teaching pedagogies in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) classes prioritize linguistic skills development over exploring how cultural factors shape language interpretation. To address the gap, this study developed and evaluated an instructional design project using the attention, relevance, confidence, and satisfaction (ARCS) motivational design model combined with critical pedagogy through computer-mediated communication (CMC) tools. The purpose of this research is to enhance EFL teachers’ intercultural competence. Multimedia resources were used to capture participants’ attention, and news articles were selected to connect to their lived experiences. Online forums were used to build their confidence, and intercultural activities provided satisfaction through practical engagement. Critical literacy pedagogy guided the design of questions to encourage EFL teachers to explore assumptions, challenge perspectives, and critically analyze language. Data from 16 EFL teachers’ questionnaires, online comments, and interviews indicated that task attractiveness and the online environment motivated EFL teachers to develop critical literacy skills. Future studies could explore additional strategies for integrating intercultural competence into EFL teaching and examine how cultural dynamics within groups influence online communication.

Exploring emoji usage in intercultural CMC: Insights from Colombian and Argentinian learners of German

Abstract This study investigates the use of emojis in Computer-Mediated Communication (CMC) among Colombian and Argentinian learners of German. Recent research demonstrates that emojis serve multiple functions, including expressing reactions to previous statements and modulating the tone of assertions. Beyond the illocutionary domain, where they help articulate speech acts, emojis facilitate discourse by managing conversation openings and closings. They also signify informality in the stylistic domain and guide the social intent of conversations. While these findings are insightful, they primarily reflect interactions among speakers sharing the same first language (L1) and cultural background. The dynamics of emoji use in a second language (L2) and intercultural settings remain underexplored. To address this gap, this study analyzed a corpus of WhatsApp messages exchanged during a virtual interaction between 24 Colombian and Argentinian learners of German. The results reveal that the use of emojis among L2 speakers largely mirrors their use in L1 contexts, suggesting a strong transferability of their pragmatic, discursive, and stylistic functions. Additionally, this study identifies an extra function in the illocutionary domain, where emojis help signal sociality rights and obligations, thereby maintaining positive interpersonal rapport. Furthermore, the performance of national identities emerged as a unique function of emojis in intercultural communication, supporting the idea of a universal component in emoji use. These findings contribute to our understanding of how emojis operate in L2 and intercultural settings, highlighting their role in facilitating effective digital communication across linguistic and cultural boundaries. The consistent use of emojis by participants from different cultural backgrounds suggests that emojis can act as universal symbols, bridging cultural and linguistic gaps while also allowing for the expression of unique social identities.

Effects of communication mode on EFL learners’ engagement and request learning

This study examines how different communication modes (two kinds of computer-mediated communication and face-to-face mode) influence EFL learners’ engagement during a collaborative writing task and its impact on subsequent request learning outcomes, measured by sociopragmatic and pragmalinguistic competence. Ninety-six high school English learners were assigned to groups for text-based chat, audio chat, and face-to-face interactions to complete a collaborative writing task in pairs. Two versions of the Written Discourse Completion Test (WDCT) were employed as pre-tests and post-tests to assess and compare the learning outcomes in request-making across the three groups. Cognitive and social engagement of learners were assessed by using multiple measures derived from chat logs and recordings, while a post-task questionnaire was utilized to gauge emotional engagement during the task. The results indicated that learners in the face-to-face and audio-chat conditions demonstrated higher levels of cognitive engagement compared to the text-chat group. The text-chat group reported fewer instances of negative emotions. In terms of request learning outcomes, all groups showed an increase in sociolinguistic appropriateness; however, no significant differences were found in overall pragmalinguistic competence. Social and emotional engagement significantly correlated with sociopragmatic improvement in the audio-chat mode, yet these indicators did not demonstrate significant predictive power.

Understanding and Influencing Responsibility Attribution when Experiencing Technical Issues in Video Conferencing

During video conferencing, technical issues such as network impairments can unexpectedly hinder remote collaboration for distributed teams. However, it remains unclear how such issues affect the impression formation process between unacquainted interlocutors in situations like job interviews or kick-off meetings. Having first encounters online without prior in-person interaction has become prevalent nowadays. Therefore, examining the impact of technical issues on remote unacquainted interlocutors and exploring design solutions to reduce the negative impact of technical issues on the impression is essential in informing the design of future communication systems. With three controlled experiments simulating an online job interview, we discovered that technical issues made people give low credibility ratings to remote job applicants (Study 1). We further examined two intervention approaches to reduce the negative impact of technical issues in video conferencing, including a virtual agent represented in a human-like avatar to actively take responsibility for the technical issues (Study 2), and forewarning messages to inform people about the technical issues in video conferencing (Study 3). Results demonstrated that introducing an agent that represents a communication system to take responsibility for technical issues actively could reduce the responsibility people assign to remote job applicants, but without increasing their positive credibility rating for remote job applicants. Furthermore, showing forewarning messages, which explicitly made people aware the cause of technical issues was unidentifiable and its potential negative impacts on impression formation, enabled people to rate the credibility of the remote counterpart without being influenced by technical issues. We discussed how interventions can be designed to mitigate negative attribution outcomes when encountering uncontrollable technical issues in computer-mediated communication.

Icelandic on Facebook: Linguistic practices in an informal communication space

Abstract This article is based on a PhD project that addressed the multilingual digital practices of native Icelandic speakers in so-called “computer-mediated communication” (CMC) and more specifically on Facebook. The research draws on new literacy studies as well as linguistic research on multilingualism in the context of digital environments to investigate the digital practices of Icelandic Facebook users. By applying both quantitative and qualitative research methods, the article argues for a mixed-method approach that allows for a more holistic analysis of digital discourse data. It is especially interested in the formal characteristics of Icelandic digital writing and tries to explore what linguistic resources users draw upon and how different communicative functions and contextual factors influence the users’ digital practices. Icelandic forms an interesting test case for the study of digital practices as Facebook constitutes an important communication space for Icelanders. However, the digital practices that can be observed on this social network site are characterised by informality and linguistic forms that may contrast with language regard and language ideology in Iceland.

Face emojis vs. Non-face emojis: Exploring neural mechanisms in text processing

With the rapid development of digital communication, emojis have played an increasingly important role in computer-mediated communication (CMC). Although Non-face emojis account for approximately 90 % of emoji usage, related research remains relatively scarce. Furthermore, there is limited exploration of the differences in the mechanisms of text processing between Face and Non-face emojis. The aim of this study is to investigate the neural mechanisms underlying the differences in text processing between Face emojis and Non-face emojis. We employed a semantic violation paradigm to analyze the cognitive processes of 28 participants as they processed texts in which emojis replaced words. The experimental materials consisted of 8 target stimuli, each corresponding to 15 text sentences. The results indicate that Non-face emojis elicited a strong N400 effect in incongruent texts, suggesting that Non-face emojis may have higher semantic complexity and can function as substitutes for words. In contrast, Face emojis primarily elicited an LNC component, indicating that they are more likely to be perceived as symbols of emotional expression rather than carriers of explicit semantic information. These results reveal the distinct roles of Face and Non-face emojis in text comprehension, providing new insights into emoji semantics and their impact on language processing.

The Influence of Communication Medium on Professional Skepticism in Auditor-Client Interactions

SYNOPSIS Auditors frequently interact with clients to perform inquiries and must maintain an appropriate level of professional skepticism during these interactions. Inquiries can be performed using various communication mediums. Although prior research has shown that partners prefer traditional face-to-face (FTF) interactions, many younger auditors prefer computer-mediated communication (CMC) (Bennett and Hatfield 2018). The present study examines the effect of four levels of communication media (email, chat, video, and FTF) on auditor skeptical behavior. Results suggest that auditors are more skeptical when interacting with the client by email than by chat, video, and FTF. These findings inform practitioners of what types of auditor-client interactions may negatively impact auditor skeptical behavior. Data Availability: Please contact the author.

Co-construction during online learning: cognitive presence through asynchronous video discussion

This study explores cognitive presence (CP) during remote learning by applying content analysis to English language learners’ (ELLs) asynchronous video discussions. The study draws on the framework of Community of Inquiry (CoI) and a four-phase inquiry called the Practical Inquiry Model (PIM). ELLs participated in weekly video discussions over the course of a semester using Flip, a video-based asynchronous computer-mediated communication (ACMC) tool. The data for this study include main reflection videos (N = 137) and peer-response videos (N = 153), and the content analysis provided an understanding to develop deeper learning and co-constructing meaning and knowledge. The findings offer a critical reflection on using asynchronous video discussion for co-constructing knowledge and enhancing social interaction.

Evolvement and use of stigmatized expressions in computer-mediated communication

Abstract A stigmatized expression is featured by its potentially discrediting attributes unwanted by community members. It is heavily context-dependent, especially in computer-mediated communication (CMC), which is text-based and features abbreviations, acronyms, and creative use of punctuation. The paper discusses the perception, judgment, and use of stigmatized expressions from the socio-cognitive approach (SCA) perspective. Our theory- and data-based analysis leads to the following conclusions. First, stigmatized expressions are considered pervasive and generally detrimental, thus worthy of continuous attention. Second, their emergence and recognition arise from the mutual effort of societal and individual factors, making them dynamic, ambiguous, context-dependent, and culture-specific. Third, the mechanism of generating stigmatized expression turns out to be spiral, while the circulation seems scarcely affected by its divergent interpretations. The sociocultural context serves as a trigger and an outcome in that it facilitates the processing of stigmatized expressions and is simultaneously modified.

Testing the Effect of Sending an Evaluative Message on Perceiving Others in Computer-Mediated Communication

ABSTRACT Interpersonal mediated communication research has demonstrated that exchanging cues during online interactions can change message receivers’ perception of the senders in socially desirable ways. Building from previous self-transformative work, this work explores how perceptions of others are also shaped by the messages we write evaluating others. More specifically, the research examines the effects of sending different types of evaluative messages on attitude, social attraction, physical attraction, and task attraction toward a hypothetical CMC partner. The first experiment (N = 193) prompted participants to view a post of a video game player and then provide a confirmatory or disconfirmatory evaluation or no evaluation. Results indicated that providing positive evaluations caused a positive change in attitude toward the target, while providing negative evaluations negatively affected attitude but did not necessarily affect social, task, or physical attraction. The second experiment (N = 129) conceptually replicated the first experiment’s design in the context of an Instagram post. The results generally replicated those of the first study but additionally produced significant results on social attraction. Providing an evaluation caused significant changes in the receivers’ perception of attitude and social attraction, with the direction of change corresponding with the valence of the evaluations given to the target.

Political Labeling on Social Media: a Netnographic Study of “SDM Rendah” in Indonesia’s 2024 Presidential Election on X (Twitter)

The 2024 presidential election campaign in Indonesia has produced various unique phenomena, including the emergence of the "Low Human Resources'' (SDM Rendah) label directed at the supporters of candidate pair 02 by the supporters of candidate pairs 01 and 03. The existence of this label has become a spotlight because it reflects the dynamics of politics and social interaction within the community. In conducting the netnographic research strategy in this study, the primary focus is on gaining a deep understanding of the underlying reasons for this labeling, as well as how it affects public perception and the overall political dynamics. The social media platform X was selected as the research subject due to its crucial role in facilitating communicative interaction, including the labeling process. It is expected that the results of this research can provide deeper insights into the phenomenon of labeling in the political realm on the X social media platform, as well as provide a better understanding for politicians and the public regarding the importance of using social media platforms wisely in the political context. This research also has significant academic implications in the field of communication science, particularly in the theory of Computer-Mediated Communication (CMC), which can contribute to a deeper understanding of the role of social media in contemporary politics. The practical implications cannot be overlooked either, especially in the efforts to raise awareness of the power and impact of social media platforms in the political context during the 2024 presidential campaign in Indonesia.

Enhancing Speech-to-Text and Translation Capabilities for Developing Arabic Learning Games: Integration of Whisper OpenAI Model and Google API Translate

This study tackles language barriers in computer-mediated communication by developing an application that integrates OpenAI’s Whisper ASR model and Google Translate machine translation to enable real-time, continuous speech transcription and translation and the processing of video and audio files. The application was developed using the Experimental method, incorporating standards for testing and evaluation. The integration expanded language coverage to 133 languages and improved translation accuracy. Efficiency was enhanced through the use of greedy parameters and the Faster Whisper model. Usability evaluations, based on questionnaires, revealed that the application is efficient, effective, and user-friendly, though minor issues in user satisfaction were noted. Overall, the Speech Translate application shows potential in facilitating transcription and translation for video content, especially for language learners and individuals with disabilities. Additionally, this study introduces an Arabic learning game incorporating an Artificial Neural Network using the CNN algorithm. Focusing on the “Speaking” skill, the game applies to voice and image extraction techniques, achieving a high accuracy rate of 95.52%. This game offers an engaging and interactive method for learning Arabic, a language often considered challenging. The incorporation of Artificial Neural Network technology enhances the effectiveness of the learning game, providing users with a unique and innovative language learning experience. By combining voice and image extraction techniques, the game offers a comprehensive approach to enjoyably improving Arabic speaking skills.

ENHANCING CUSTOMER ACQUISITION THROUGH CREATIVE COMMUNICATION IN PERSONAL SELLING: A CASE STUDY OF PT TIRTA ASASTA DEPOK (PERSERODA)

This research aims to explore the role of communication creativity in personal selling strategies to increase the number of customers in the Marketing Team of the Regional Water Company Tirta Asasta Depok in 2024. The method is an exploratory case study. Primary data was collected through interviews and direct observations, while secondary data was gathered from literature, company documents, and previous research. The theoretical framework includes Computer-Mediated Communication, Social Exchange Theory, and Media Convergence Theory. The research findings show that communication creativity in personal selling involves utilizing media convergence tools such as laptops, WhatsApp, email, and Zoom to interact and negotiate with customers. This strategy is further enhanced by offering rewards, providing gifts, and using motivational narratives to build relationships. It also includes delivering more comfortable services with improved negotiation management and collaborating with local authorities to expand outreach. As communicators, neat and polite appearances, along with the use of "lip service" to create comfort and trust play significant roles. However, communication barriers were negative customer perceptions regarding new connection fees, public corporate image, and the skepticism toward government-owned enterprises. The findings indicate that creativity in communication can effectively enhance customer acquisition.

An exploratory study on second language learner engagement in different types of interactive tasks in video-chat and text-chat communication

Abstract This study investigated 48 Hong Kong English as a second language (ESL) learners’ engagement in three types of interactive tasks conducted via video chat or text chat. The learners, paired with their university friends, completed a descriptive task, a narrative task, and a decision-making task. They were randomly assigned to either the video-chat or text-chat group and were interviewed about their emotional engagement in each task immediately after task performance. The findings revealed that both groups of learners were behaviourally the least engaged but cognitively the most engaged in the decision-making task. They experienced positive emotions during the descriptive task, but fewer reported positive emotions in the other two tasks. The text-chat group was the most socially engaged in the decision-making task. Furthermore, the video-chat group was behaviourally and emotionally more engaged than the text-chat group. These findings have implications for task design and selection in computer-mediated communication.

Older Chinese migrants’ social connectedness in Aotearoa New Zealand during Covid-19

INTRODUCTION: The Covid-19 pandemic potentially increased loneliness among older Chinese migrants. There is a paucity of literature on the use of digital technology by this older population in Aotearoa New Zealand. Computer-mediated communication may assist in ameliorating loneliness through maintaining connections. METHOD: Using semi-structured interviews, two groups of participants were recruited from a social work agency serving older adults in a small study conducted in Aotearoa New Zealand. Three community social workers who work with this population were interviewed along with five older Chinese migrants. FINDINGS: Community social workers recognised the potential for digital technology to enhance connectedness for older migrants, although they were concerned by the barriers posed by skills, confidence, and language. The older migrants did not report loneliness and reported good social connections. Having time available to learn new skills, most older participants embraced digital technology, with some concerns about the possible risks of using digital platforms, a concern shared by social workers. IMPLICATIONS: The impact of Covid-19 globally changed how people could interact with one another and carry out daily routines. This small study confirms the potential for enhanced connections for older migrants, particularly under pandemic conditions utilising communications technology.

Social presence and collaborative creativity in leaner media

As people increasingly rely on virtual spaces for both personal and professional exchanges, the dynamics of how we connect, share ideas, and work together have evolved. Online interactions often engage in modality switching where communication starts in one modality, such as talking, then switches to another, such as texting. We examined how modality switching affected creativity and social presence when collaborating using computer mediated communication. Participants first met via an audio or text modality, then switched to the other modality. They then engaged in a collaborative story creation task. Using the Social Information Processing Theory for our theoretical framework, we found that switching from text to audio benefitted creativity. We found no differences between texted and audio communication in social presence, desire for future interaction, or creativity. Replicating others’ results, we did find differences in conversational balance: Texted conversations were more balanced than audio conversations. We newly discovered that modality switching affected balance. Audio conversations were more balanced when they followed text interactions rather than preceded them. Ultimately, more balanced conversations – regardless of modality – led to greater creativity in dyads.

Searching for Love and Babies: A Qualitative Study on Online Social Support Among Women with Infertility

ABSTRACT With the popularity of computer-mediated communication, accessing online social support has become more accessible for women confronting infertility, yet the role of such support for Chinese women remains understudied. This study investigates the online social support experiences of Chinese women navigating infertility within the framework of Cutrona and Suhr’s social support. Employing netnography and semi-structured interviews alongside thematic analysis, the findings highlight challenges in informational support due to limitations in online information dissemination, with some degree of overlap observed between informational support and network support. Emotional support proves crucial and esteem support aids in mitigating self-blame among online forum members. Tangible assistance primarily involves expressed willingness to help. This research advances social support theory by exploring new areas, clarifying online support mechanisms using Daena Goldsmith’s normative approach, highlighting sociocultural influences, and enhancing understanding of esteem support in the context of stigmatization.

Political Branding via Social Media: Analyzing Computer Mediated Communication of 2024 Presidential and Vice Presidential Candidates on Instagram

Political Branding via Social Media: Analyzing Computer Mediated Communication of 2024 Presidential and Vice Presidential Candidates on Instagram

Harmonising humans and technology: Exploring the dynamics of cognitive production, artificial intelligence and social communication in cybernetic systems

Agile cognitive production systems mark a manufacturing paradigm shift, propelled by the demand for accelerated product development and the adoption of digitalised production systems across extensive supply networks. Cognitive manufacturing emphasises the role of technology and automation in the learning and adaptation process. These systems independently analyse data, make real-time adjustments and optimise processes, sometimes minimising the need for human intervention. Based on a conceptual framework that draws on the diversity of living systems and cognitive processes, cybernetics provides a solid theoretical background. It explores the intricate connections between cognition, self-organising systems and the challenges arising from the autonomy of such systems. The concept of "cognition" in "agile cognitive systems" moves away from the conventional understanding of purely technical processes and towards human thought processes. This departure fosters a dynamic exchange where individual thoughts resonate in social communication. Addressing the role of artificial intelligence (AI), the article emphasises examining computers from a social science standpoint, exploring the relationship between computers and mental systems, capturing human faculties such as cognition, utterance, and understanding. The integration of AI into computer-mediated communication leads to the question how AI-equipped computers intersect with societal intelligence notions. The inherent intransparency of AI, often viewed as a black box, prompts queries about the potential black-box nature of an autonomously controlled AI factory or supply chain. In this hypothetical scenario, the idea of the supply chain as a communication network is challenged, emphasising the importance of human involvement. Research on human-centric cognitive production emphasises explainable AI and human-in-the-loop. This orientation goes beyond the technical dimensions and incorporates social science considerations, which emphasises the holistic nature of current research. In essence, research in the field of cognitive production is a comprehensive exploration of the complex interplay between human cognition, artificial intelligence and the evolving landscape of modern production systems.