Local Virtuality in an Organization: Implications for Community of Practice

Abstract

We focus on two phenomena in our case study of a high-tech firm. Local virtuality: The pervasive use of computer mediated communication for interaction with physical proximate people, even when located near-by. Hyperconnectivity: The instant availability of people for communication anywhere and anytime. We show that computer mediated communication has gone beyond long-distance media to be the predominant mode of communication. The result is a high level of trust and community, especially in a department with high interdependence and a common goal.