1. Weblogging: A study of social
computing and its impact on
organization
Presenter: Han-Ming Jeffrey Chen
Instructor: Dr. Pi-Ying Teresa Hsu
Date: Apr. 20, 2009

2. Kwai, R. & Wagner, C. (2008). Weblogging:
A study of social computing and its
impact on organizations. Decision
Support Systems, 45, 242-250.
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3. Content
Introduction
Literature review
Methodology
Result & Conclusion
Reflection
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4. Introduction
A recent survey from the Gallup Poll organization
reported that 20% of the respondents participated
in blogging activities and 28% of them were aged
18–29.
(from:
http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?
vnu_content_id=1001957922)
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5. Introduction
The most commonly used social networking
technologies are discussion boards, real time
chat, P2P newsgroups, and listservs.
(Lee, Vogel, & Limayem, 2002)
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6. Introduction
Social computing is defined as any type
of computing application that serves as an
intermediary or a focus for a social relation.
(Schuler, 1994)
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7. Literature Review
Background on weblogging
Popular weblog technology feature
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8. Background on weblogging
 The term weblog was first coined by John
Barger in December 1997.
(Bausch, Haughey, & Hourihan, 2002)
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9. Three generations of weblog
First first-person diaries, with the focus of being a
Generation “log of the Web”
more between weblog communication
Second features, including the important “permalink”
Generation (permanent URL to each individual weblog
entry).
Three application blogs, which provide practical
Generation applications for the webloggers to use
(Du & Wagner, 2006)
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10. Popular weblog technology feature
Bulletin a broadcasting feature for disseminating
messages to community members
allowing community members to add
Commentary
comments on other weblogs
Eprop show how good a weblog is by other
webloggers
a permanent URL to each individual
Permalink
weblog entry
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11. Popular weblog technology feature
predefining templates for webloggers
Skin/Scheme
to design their websites
allowing webloggers be notified when
Syndication
their interested weblogs are updated
Metro/ groups of webloggers in same
Bloging/ geographical region or with a shared
Community interest to interact together
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12. Methodology
Participant 33 college students
20-22
Age (all but two were young adults)
Different universities in Hong Kong
Place (a Chinese speaking city)
Individual interview
Method by Hourglass Approach
Period Around 30 minutes
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13. Result
Habitual Blogging
(enthusiastic lurker
)
Characteristics of
different user types
Active Personal
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14. Habitual Active Personal Blogging
luker
Frequency Several times a Once daily Once daily Not fixed
day
Duration Hours per day Around 1hour Depends on Not fixed
per day own needs
Peer High High Low Unknown
influence
Group Strong Strong Weak/none Unknown
belonging
Preferred •Community •Community •Journal None
tools building building writing
•Journal •Journal •Content
writing writing management
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15. Users Technological needs
• Content management tools
Habitual • Community building tools
• Search by category
(enthusiastic)
• Commentary
• Time structuring
• Content management tools
Active • Community building tools
• Search by category
• Commentary
Personal • Content management tools
• Secure closed blog
Blogging luker • Reading
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16. Conclusion
Emergent model of
needs-technology fit model
Impact on
organizational computing
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17. Needs-technology fit model
Needs (Social) Technology
Needs-Technology Fit
Usage Type
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18. Impact on organizational computing
Impact on the internal organizational environment
A number of “open-minded” companies have adopted
instant messaging for internal communication between
employees as well as external communication between
business partners, with good results.
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19. Impact on organizational computing
Impact on customer relationships
Marketing departments will be to adopt the weblog
medium (technology) and mode (voice), to interact
with the most intensive weblog users, but also to at
least change the mode of communication for
customers becoming used to the “voice of the Web.”
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20. Reflection
Bloggers’ innovative characteristics
Quality Innovation Product
relationship adaptation attributes
Characteristics
of different user
types
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