Electronic mail viewed as a communications catalyst

Presents a `benchmark´ study as an attempt to trace the existing patterns of communication in comparable research communities where new technologically supported methods of communication are becoming available. The interest lies in the insight which it provides into the changes in communicative interactions which may ultimately lead to significant changes in work patterns. An exciting finding is its indication that the use of sophisticated electronic communications media is not seen by users as replacing existing methods of communicating. On the contrary, the use of such media is seen as a way of establishing new interactions and collaboration whilst catalysing the role of more traditional methods of communication