An exploration of group dynamics of an e-mail discussion list

Discussion lists using electronic mail as the medium of communication allows for international groups to form without temporal or spatial constraints. The group process

in large electronic based groups has not been fully explored. This study used a case study approach to explore the group dynamics of the NRSING-L list, a discussion list for professionals working in the area of health informatics. The communication posted to this list during the first 12 months of the list's existence was analysed. A modified version of Bales' Interactive Process Analysis framework was used to code the communication behaviour exhibited by the subscribers. The findings of this study supported the recurring -phase theories of group development, which propose group development occur in a cyclic pattern of behaviour with triggering factors causing the cyclic effect. In this study, the triggering factor causing a return to earlier behaviour was the entry of new active subscribers to the NRSING-L list.