The Use of Social Media to Foster Trust, Mentorship, and Collaboration in Organizations

• In Event: 239 - Section on Communication and Information Technologies Roundtable Session (one-hour).
  In Refereed Roundtable: Table 10. Support Systems: Communication and Collaboration

Abstract

This study explores the ways in which a life science organization with 122 members, anonymized as The City Science Network (SciCity), uses social media to foster trust, collaboration, and mentorship. Through Skype-based interviews and participant observation at a meet-up event, we found evidence of trust amongst community members mediated by Twitter. The prominent social media site plays a central role in creating and maintaining collaborative relationships within the community. Twitter is able to promote lightweight collaborations that are sporadic, brief, and informal. Additionally, relationships formed on Twitter often act as precursors to formal collaborations that occur face-to-face. However, Twitter, by itself was not found to be successful in promoting formal collaborations. The medium did facilitate sporadic mentoring (in instances where community members reach out to the group for advice or guidance). Lightweight social media was found to specific mentors and mentees connect. However, most cases require additional non-social media based communication to supplement the relationship. Overall Twitter creates an ‘ambient’ environment conducive to the formation of trust, mentorship, and collaboration and is central to the continued cohesion of this scientific organization.

Authors

• Dhiraj Murthy, Goldsmiths College

• Calla Hastings, Bowdoin College

• Somya A. Mawrie, Bowdoin College