Beyond the FAQ: Explicit and implicit norms in Usenet newsgroups |
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Institution: | 1. Copenhagen Business School, Department of Management, Politics and Philosophy, Porcelænshaven 18B, 2000 Frederiksberg, Denmark;2. Copenhagen Business School, Department of Organization, Kilevej 14A, 2000 Frederiksberg, Denmark;3. Copenhagen Business School, Department of Operations Management, Solbjerg Plads 3, 2000 Frederiksberg, Denmark |
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Abstract: | Drawing on reference group and socialization theories, this article examines the social norms of online communities. These theories are modified through an examination of the history of Usenet and a review of the scholarly literature related to social norms and normative behavior in Usenet newsgroups and other virtual communities. The article proposes a modification of Merton's paradigmatic division of norms into behavioral and attitudinal norms by dividing social norms found in online interactions into two types: explicit norms and implicit norms. Explicit norms are codified in documents such as FAQs that outline the purpose and rules of a group, whereas implicit norms are those norms that emerge informally through day-to-day interactions of the group. Both categories of norms are examined in two specific newsgroups. |
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