CULTURAL UNIVERSALITY VERSUSPARTICULARITY IN CMC

摘要

Cultural factors are often identified as a crucial influence on the success or failure of information systems ingeneral or computer-mediated communication (CMC) in particular. Several authors have suggested ways inwhich management can accommodate these factors or solve the problem they pose. This paper attempts to goone step beyond management measures and ask whether there is a theoretical foundation on which one canbase the mutual influence of culture and CMC. In order to find such a theoretical basis the paper discusses thequestion whether there are aspects of culture that are universal or whether culture is always particular. In thecourse of this discussion the concept of culture is defined and its relationship with technology is analysed. Asa solution the paper suggests a Habermasian approach to culture which sees a universal background toparticular cultures in the structure of communication which creates and sustains culture. The paper then triesto give an outlook how such a Habermasian theory of culture can enable designers and users of CMC to reflecton their activity and improve the quality and reach of CMC.