Relationship Quality in the Context of Computer-Mediated Communication - A social constructionist approach

This paper contributes to possible answers to the question: What are the effects of computermediatedcommunication on relationship qualities in organizations? To answer this question withoutoversimplifying the phenomena an adequate research methodology has to be found.First, the interrelationship between computer-mediated communication (CMC) andrelationship quality is reviewed. CMC-theory will be described from three main perspectivesand the risks and chances for relationship quality will be shown. The review indicates thatmost studies in the field are founded on a positivistic basis. Relationships are treated as staticdyads neglecting contextual factors. Thus, the insight into relational processes incomputerized environments remains limited. As an alternative a research methodology basedon the epistemological stance of social constructionism is proposed. It will be explained, howthe researchers’ view can be broadened by applying the method of the ‘narrative interview’ inpractice based studies in computer-mediated contexts. In the concluding part, the contributionof this approach to research and practice will be discussed.