Open AccessComplementary Channel Use and the Role of Social Competence
Author(s) -
Ruppel Erin K.,
Burke Tricia J.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
journal of computer‐mediated communication
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.15
H-Index - 119
ISSN - 1083-6101
DOI - 10.1111/jcc4.12091
Subject(s) - complementarity (molecular biology) , interpersonal communication , moderation , psychology , social psychology , competence (human resources) , genetics , biology
This study focused on channel complementarity among various interpersonal communication channels (face‐to‐face, telephone, e‐mail, text messaging, and Facebook). We looked at daily channel use among 136 participants and demonstrated complementary channel use among most combinations of channels, excluding face‐to‐face. We also extended channel complementarity theory by examining social competence as a moderator of channel complementarity. Results indicated that telephone and text messaging exhibited complementarity at high but not low levels of social competence, whereas e‐mail and text messaging exhibited complementarity at low but not high levels of social competence. Face‐to‐face communication and Facebook exhibited a displacement relationship at high but not low levels of social competence. Implications for channel complementarity theory and the role of individual characteristics are discussed.