ABSTRACT
SUMMARY The thesis in this chapter is that computer conferencing can be a good support for human communication at work if and only if certain conditions are satisfied. One condition is a proper view on management and division oflabour. Computer conferencing represents a technological milestone because it realizes a collective application generator that can support a distribution of the responsibility for the reshaping of organizational communication patterns. Given a proper management approach there are still problems which can only be resolved if a certain kind of competence is developed. The normal reaction to the problems caused by a lack of that competence is to make the distinctive features of computer conferencing not accessible. The development of computer conferencing competence is therefore the most strategic and crucial condition for success. As long as computer conferencing systems do not give better support, advanced networkers must coach this learning process. This gives executives an important role even in highly decentralized organizations.
