Towards a dynamic theory of virtual communities Online publication date: Thu, 17-Jan-2008
by Christian Fuchs
International Journal of Knowledge and Learning (IJKL), Vol. 3, No. 4/5, 2007
Abstract: In this paper, a theoretical notion of virtual community is developed that is based on the idea of dynamic, self-organising social systems. In intersubjective concepts, Virtual Communities (VCs) are conceived as continuous communicative relationships that are computer-mediated. Objective notions of VCs stress either that such online communication systems involve shared values, a shared identity and feelings of togetherness or that they are structured by technology or economy (online market places). The approach presented on this paper is based on the idea that structures and communicative practices are dialectically connected and that hence technological networks and social systems form two interlinked subsystems of a virtual community. Three connected levels of a virtual community are introduced: the technological infrastructure, communicative practices and cooperation. The third level is not reached in all VCs. Web 2.0 applications like wikis and blogs have a potential to advance cooperation and participation in social systems.
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