Introduction

Welcome to the online research environment of social networks!

People are 'group animals', they want to belong to a network of people with more or less common interests and shared beliefs. They need a social environment where they can interact with others. Until recent, this interaction could only take place in the physical environment. But with the entrance of the Internet and current developments within, such as WEB2.0, ways of communication become more and more dynamic and diverse.

There are many online environments on which communication opportunities are numerous. The question arises, how these envrionments can distinguish themselve in order to become inspiring virtual environments that foster human interaction in both a functional and entertaining manner. Trust seems to be key for success in shaping groups.

Ongoing research

Human Potential is doing ongoing research to the functioning and structure of social networks. Different communication opportunities are visualised in our specially developed model. Insight in social networks also needs research into information flows between individuals within a group. Different roles in information management have been tested for the Meeting Masters organisation. This way decent knowledge has been developed in communication- and information flows and the well-functioning of social networks.