Investigation of Organizational Interaction and Support in an NGO through Computer-Mediated Discussions

Autor/inn/en	Chang, Yao-Jen; Chang, Yao-Sheng
Titel	Investigation of Organizational Interaction and Support in an NGO through Computer-Mediated Discussions
Quelle	In: Educational Technology & Society, 14 (2011) 3, S.130-140 (11 Seiten)Infoseite zur Zeitschrift PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	1436-4522
Schlagwörter	Foreign Countries; Organizational Communication; Network Analysis; Program Effectiveness; Nongovernmental Organizations; Employment Opportunities; Social Work; Caseworkers; Social Support Groups; Computer Software Evaluation; Content Analysis; Sharing Behavior; Information Dissemination; Mental Disorders; Supported Employment; Computer Mediated Communication; Discussion; Internet; Social Networks; Evaluation Methods; Interviews; Taiwan + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Ausland; Netzplantechnik; Berufschance; Beschäftigungschance; Soziale Arbeit; Social support; Soziale Unterstützung; Softwareanalyse; Inhaltsanalyse; Informationsverbreitung; Mental illness; Geisteskrankheit; Arbeitsförderungsmaßnahme; Computerkonferenz; Diskussion; Social network; Soziales Netzwerk; Interviewing; Interviewtechnik
Abstract	Discussion forums have been used to support organizational communication and they have become a candidate for study of organizational behaviors. However, online behaviors of NGOs have been insufficiently studied compared to those studies conducted in education and industries. Our empirical study examined how social workers in one NGO used an internal discussion forum to help them disseminate time-sensitive employment opportunities for people with mental impairments, provide space for collective expressions of support, and enable sharing of information and experiences. The main purpose of the paper is to study a multifaceted assessment methodology to assess online discussion forums in an NGO. In this paper, we carry out a systemic set of assessment methods including network analysis, category analysis, and content analysis for evaluating online social software, and particularly discussion forums. The methods are used empirically to assess patterns of information sharing, social network, and peer support in an NGO. (Contains 6 tables and 2 figures.) (As Provided).
Anmerkungen	International Forum of Educational Technology & Society. Athabasca University, School of Computing & Information Systems, 1 University Drive, Athabasca, AB T9S 3A3, Canada. Tel: 780-675-6812; Fax: 780-675-6973; Web site: http://www.ifets.info
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2017/4/10