A Theory of Electronic Propinquity: Mediated Communication in Organizations

Abstract

This paper proposes a theoretical approach to mediated communication in organizations. It is argued that the man-machine interface in mediated human communication is better dealt with when a comprehensive theoretical approach is used, than when separate communication devices are tested as they appear in the market, such as video-teleconferencing. Propinquity is considered to be the system's trait which is essential for the continuation of the human communication system in organizations. In a structural-functional analysis, six propositions, 15 derived corollaries, and two-limits propositions are presented. The variables included in the propositions are: (a) perceived propinquity; (b) perceived bandwidth; (c) perceived complexity of the information; (d) perceived degree of mutual directionality of the channel; (e) communication skills; (f) perceived communication rules; (g) perceived number of choices among channels; (h) perceived conflict; and (i) perceived turbulence in the environment. Evidence from past research is used to support the perspective presented.