Designing Control of Computer-Mediated Gifting in Sharing Networks

Abstract

This chapter suggests that the pro-social provision, or gifting, of goods in multiple user sharing networks is largely determined by the relationship an individual has to the larger group(s) of which he or she is a member. This relationship is often referred to as a social dilemma and can be both a con?ict of interest or a pattern of cooperation re?ecting a predicament in acting in self-interest versus the interest of the collective (or different groups of the collective). In this chapter, the social dilemma is modelled by the relationship model, which operates for end users on a tactical level of control and thus sets a general path of performance. Once a speci?c gifting act is included in such a tactic, ?ve dimensions of control are also suggested, which operates on a situated sociotechnical level. The dynamics of sharing networks makes gifting a continuous re-negotiation between reactive actions and overall tactics. In such an environment, the relationship model is suggested to be a relatively stable determinant of types of gifting acts, while the dimensions of control are tentatively suggested to address sociotechnical control requirements of the speci?c gifting actions.