Going Virtual: The Driving Forces and Arrangements

Abstract

In this chapter we examine the driving forces behind the growth of virtual societies and discuss existing arrangements and practices at the individual, group, organization, and community levels. We also examine the implications of how people will live and work in societies where these arrangements and practices are widespread and mixed with face-to-face relationships. Our discussion follows the model of virtual society presented in Figure 1. Figure 1 describes an evolutionary model conceptualizing an entire hierarchy for studying the virtual society and summarizes both the driving forces and arrangements that are critical components of this proposed framework. Specifically, this chapter is organized as follows: We first discuss the driving forces which include global economics, policies and politics, enlightened population, and information technology; second we describe existing arrangements and practices at the individual, group, organization, and community levels. Finally, we examine the dilemmas and implications of the virtual society on peoples’ lives and work.