DESCRIPTION OF TERMINOLOGIES USED

Community in a traditional understanding, is socially interactive space inhabited by a close network of households, most of whom are known to one another and who, to a high degree, participate in common social activities, exchange information, engage in mutual aid and support and are conscious of a common identity, a belonging together (Cater & Jones 1989;

169). The term is used to describe social relationships of all sizes and complexities, from

- 23 -

some of the smallest and locally based to the widest possible global networks. It can be seen as a place or locality where people have something in common. It can also be understood as people sharing a common characteristic other than place. They are linked together by factors such as religious belief, sexual orientation, occupation or ethnic origin. For example, cyber-communities, religious cyber-communities, alumni communities etc.

Delanty (2003) states a newer understanding of this topic, ‘communication communities’

that has emerged from individualization, globalization and advancement in information and communication technologies. They depend upon the power of communication to produce new forms of social bonding and belonging where individuals have overlapping and multiple bonds to different communities. These are organized through sets of social relations that are

“[o]rganized more like a network” in such a way that “community today is abstract and lacks visibility and unity... more an imagined condition than a symbolically shaped reality based on fixed reference points” (ibid; 188) such as neighborhood, class or family. Communicative communities transcend geography and place. For example the Virtual communities, cyber-communities or cyber-communities that are formed in the social networking sites.

Hence, community is a group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common. It is a self-organized network of people with common agenda, cause and interest who co-operate by sharing ideas, information and other resources. Virtual or cyber-communities consist of participants in online discussions on topics of mutual concern.

2.4.2 INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY (ICT)

ICT stands for Information Communications Technology. According to Blurton (1999), ICT is the diverse set of technological tools and resources used to communicate, and to create, disseminate, store, and manage information. These technologies include computers, the Internet, broadcasting technologies (radio and television) and telephone.

ICT refers to technologies that provide access to information through telecommunications, thus its prime focus being communication technologies. It is an umbrella term that includes any communication device or application, encompassing: Internet, wireless networks, radio, television, cellular and smartphones, computer, laptops, tablets and other communication mediums; as well as the various services and applications associated with them, such as videoconferencing and distance learning. It refers to all the technology used to handle

- 24 -

telecommunications, broadcast media, intelligent building management systems, audiovisual processing and transmission systems, and network-based control and monitoring functions.

In the past few decades, information and communication technologies have provided society with a vast array of new communication capabilities. People can communicate in real-time with others in different countries using technologies such as instant-messaging, internet voice calls through VoIP services, and video-conferencing through Skype and other applications. Social Networking Sites like the most popular Facebook and others allow users from all over the world to remain in contact and communicate on a regular basis.

2.4.3 NETWORKS

Networks are a central feature of contemporary globalized society. As far as social-scientific literature is concerned, networks have been seen as sets of interconnected nodes within a broader system or structure of social relationships. It is a way of mapping how social structures work, linking patterns in interpersonal behavior to the operation of broader social relationships. In this sense, kinship and friendship circles in the classroom are linked with micro-level activity of institutions, or in the community neighborhood is linked to the more macro-level activity of institutions.

Process of globalization, associated with the new information and communications technology have for Castells (2003) created a new “network society”, featuring networked enterprises, a network state and a distinct and dominant network logic. In this regard, flows of capital, information, organizational interaction, images and sounds all occur through the hubs and nodes of virtual networks provided through ICT (Internet or web) applications. For him, the centrality of virtual networks extends to politics, which is increasingly conducted through electronic media and to culture, where the new technology encourages networked individualism.

Networks are enduring and beneficiary connection that accelerates success in the contemporary globalized society. Relationships or social-ties that grow out of networks enables an individual or organization to stand out, rise above and remain at the top. Thus, one must keep on cultivating relationships and influence one’s network.

2.4.4 SOCIAL NETWORK SITES (SNS)

A social networking site may also be known as a social website or a social networking website. Social network sites (SNSs) are “web-based services that allow individuals to (1)

- 25 -

construct a public or semi-public profile within a bounded system, (2) articulate a list of other users with whom they share a connection, and (3) view and traverse their list of connections and those made by others within the system” (Boyd & Ellison 2007; 211).

Social networking sites are web-based, online platform that allows users to create a public profile and interact with other users. Social networking websites usually have a new user input a list of people with whom they share a connection and then allow the people on the list to confirm or deny the connection. After connections are established, the new user can search the networks of her/his connections to make more connections. These sites provide means for users to interact through instant messaging and e-mails. They incorporate new information and communication technology tools such as mobile connectivity, photo or video sharing and blogging through smartphones, laptops, and tablets.

Social network sites such as Friendster, CyWorld, and MySpace allow individuals to present themselves, articulate their social networks, and establish or maintain connections with others (Ellison et al. 2007, 1143). These sites are directed towards work-related contexts, romantic relationship initiation, connecting with those who share similar interests. SNSs assist in maintain existing social ties and forming new connections. The first social network site was launched in 1997 and currently there are hundreds of SNSs across the globe, supporting a spectrum of users (Boyd & Ellison 2007) amongst them Facebook created in February 2004 by Mark Zuckerberg is much popular.

2.4.5 TRUST

Trust refers to a person’s confident belief that another’s motivations are benevolent toward her/him and that the other person will therefore be responsive to her/his needs (Simpson 2007). Trust is typically viewed as a belief about a specific person, though it has also been viewed as a personality trait characterizing people’s tendency to trust or distrust others in general.

Development of trust in a relationship is usually a gradual process that requires social interactions with a person. The amount of trust that develops in a relationship is crucial because it regulates the extent to which people allow themselves to be committed to and invest in that relationship. People will only take the risk of caring and becoming attached to someone they believe reciprocates their affections. Trust in another person is determined by qualities of one’s relationship and how secure one feels in a relationship. However, social norms within families and communities also influence feelings of security.

- 26 -

Trust is crucial for the survival of individuals as one’s welfare is depended on co-operation and exchange with others. It of course is very critical in modern life, especially in one’s significant relationships with family, friends and romantic partners (Holmes & Rempel 1989). Close attachments such as these oblige people to depend and rely on other’s good intentions. As the extent of risk and possible costs of rejection and betrayal increase in such relationships, the stakes become much higher and trust becomes all the more critical (ibid.).

The next chapter will elaborate about the Finnish education system and the area of field study from where the data was collected for the research. It explains the physical and social setup of the respondents by describing their residing municipalities (Ilomantsi, Kontiolahti, Outokumpu and Nurmes) and the educational system that the students are part of.

- 27 -