Pickering, J. M. and J. King (1995). "Hardwiring Weak Ties: Interorganizational Computer-Mediated Communication, Occupational Communities, and Organizational Change." Organization Science, 6(4): 479-486.

Interorganization computer-mediated communication is most strongly supported-- at least in the earliest stages -- by organizations dependent on maintaining external weak social ties who are members of dispersed occupational communities.

What is not clear from earlier studies is what motivates people to use electronic mail beyond lessened costs that in themselves do not bring benefits. They suggest that the benefit comes through changes in personal social tie networks that computer-mediated communication users can effect.

The "one-to-many" copy capabilities, usenet groups, distribution lists, allow dispersed occupational communities to maintain ties, share values and norms and perspectives.