Ethical issues in relational maintenance via computer‐mediated communication
| Pages | 9-24 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/14779960910938061 |
| Published date | 27 February 2009 |
| Date | 27 February 2009 |
| Author | Kayla Hales |
| Subject Matter | Information & knowledge management |
THEME ARTICLES
Ethical issues in relational
maintenance via
computer-mediated
communication
Kayla Hales
College of Information Sciences and Technology,
The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
Abstract
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore some of the influences that computer-mediated
communication (CMC) has and could have on the maintenance of interpersonal relationships. In doing
this, ethical dilemmas and implications that arise from the technical affordances offered to CMC
participants are discussed. Relational maintenance is integral to people’s everyday lives. Yet, the
ethical issues involve in using CMC to support this have not been explicitly explored.
Design/methodology/approach – The concept of relational maintenance w ill be explored
independently and as it relates to CMC and ethics. This paper will examine current literature and
briefly discuss a pilot study relevant to these areas. The pilot study consisted of a survey distributed to
undergraduate students in non-platonic long distance and short distance relationships.
Findings – The exploration of prior literature and the findings of a pilot study support the notion
that, with the increase of CMC use to maintain relationships follows the potential increase of unethical
behavior in this medium. A number of ethical questions have risen that can be used to inform and
direct future research.
Originality/value – This paper is original as it explores the concept of ethics from a relational
maintenance perspective through electronic communication. It adds value by integrating these three
areas and enhancing the understanding of this integration, while providing information of both
theoretical and practical relevance.
Keywords Interpersonalrelations, Communication technologies, Ethics
Paper type Conceptual paper
1. Introduction
When it comes to interpersonal relationships, information and communication
technologies (ICTs) can have both positive and negative effects. The direction of these
impactsmay dependon the ethics involvedin the situation.Given that“Ethics must always
be a part of the interpersonal relationship, whether it be a relationship with friends, an
intimate, family members, business colleagues, or social groupings” (Englehardt, 2001, p. 1)
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available at
www.emeraldinsight.com/1477-996X.htm
The author would like to acknowledge her advisor, Dr Lynette Kvasny, and the various mentors
in her life. She thanks them for their advice and guidance throughout this process. Also, a special
“thank you” to all those who assisted in the development of this paper, marking the beginning of
the author’s publication career.
Ethical issues in
relational
maintenance
9
Received 23 September 2008
Revised 28 October 2008
Accepted 26 November 2008
Journal of Information,
Communication & Ethics in Society
Vol. 7 No. 1, 2009
pp. 9-24
qEmerald Group Publishing Limited
1477-996X
DOI 10.1108/14779960910938061
and that communication is a key element for the longevity of relationships, the way that
individuals use ICTs to support their relationship has extremely relevant implications for
ethics scholars. These implications range from impacts on business and economy (e.g.
intellectual property/copyright laws), to politics (e.g. the sex scandal of Detroit Mayor
Kilpatrick and Christine Beatty), to romance and marriage (e.g. online relationships and
cyber-cheating), and others.
Human relationsare one of the most influentialaspects of society. Staffordand Canary
(1991),interpersonal relationshipand communication scholars,have indicated that,if they
are not to deteriorate, relationship definitions must be maintained once they have been
established. Relationship definition refers to the noteworthy characteristics of a
relationship (e.g. mutuality of control, trust, liking, or commitment) that reveal its
condition or quality(Canary and Stafford, 1994),which is often dependent on the stageof
the relationship(to be detailed in the next section). Communicationis a necessary process
for sustaining these definitions. This sustainment can occur vocally, non-verbally, or
through an exchange of writing in an offline or online environment. These electronic
interactions and exchanges are considered computer-mediated communication (CMC).
The present paper will investigate the influence that CMC has on the maintenance of
romantic relationships, while discussing some of the ethical dilemmas and implications
that may arise from the technical affordances offered to CMC participants. The author
will illustrate these points through the examination or prior literature, popular pre ss,
and a pilot study. The primary question to be explored is: how can the use of CMC to
maintain relationships result in unethical behavior? While exploring this question, it is
important to be aware of how CMC is currently being used.
CMC has become an increasingly popular way for individuals to communicate,
allowing for the initiation and maintenance of various relationship types. According to
the December 2006 PEW Internet & American Life Project Tracking Survey, 70 percent
of American adults (approximately 141 million) use the internet. Of these individuals, 91
percent use it to send or receive email (December 2006), 39 percent use it for instant
messaging (August 2006), 35 percent use it to send or receive cellular text mes sages
(September 2005), 16 percent use it for networking websites (August 2006) – such
as Facebook and MySpace, and 11 percent use it to access sites where one can meet
others (September 2005) – such as electronic dating websites. Although the percentage
of these individuals who use this medium and others to initiate and develop
interpersonal relationships is unknown, these statistics demonstrate the degree to which
individuals utilize the Internet as a means of linkage to other members of society. The
statistics also suggest that there is perceived usefulness and benefits in what CMCoffers
in support of relationships. The current paper aims to illustrate the relevance of this
CMC usage as it concerns relational maintenance and the ethical issues that arise.
In the beginning stages of CMC research, scholars typically focused on what CMC
did not offer (e.g. Walther’s research on the lack of non-verbal cues in CMC; Walther,
1992). As CMC is becoming more pervasive, researchers are changing their focus to its
impacts and uses. A similar shift in research orientation has occurred in relational
maintenance. Most studies on relational maintenance focus on constructive
maintenance behaviors (e.g. assurance, openness, and positivity), paying little
attention to those destructive beh aviors (e.g. anti-social and avoida nce) that
are employed which also influence maintenance of a relationship. Ethics scholars
should follow suit. Fareek Zakaria, the managing editor of Foreign Affairs for
JICES
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