About this Research Topic

Background

It is remarkably apparent that today’s digital world provides a broad platform for social interactions and networks. Social interaction between two or more people leads to the development of interpersonal relationships with a fair exchange of ideas and knowledge, which also enhances the awareness of self and others, and promotes mutual support and encouragement among fellow individuals. It enables individuals to understand their personal as well as respective associated group’s roles, status and varied cultural practices that are constantly communicated and expected to be followed by both individually and by affiliated groups or society. Consequently, these constant communications and expectations of practice in regular interpersonal interactions and exchanges are likely to influence not only an individual’s behaviour, thoughts and attitudes, but also their perceived belongingness to societal gatherings which leads eventually to the formation of various social groups. Moreover, virtual communication platforms aid in attaining information about the world in split seconds, thus changing and shaping individuals' perception and evaluation of their surroundings very swiftly and unconsciously.

A prerequisite for effective social interactions in any society or unit of society such as an organisation is the need to make social norms or rules that are bound with equality, moral values, justice or fairness. Moreover, in such social units, the aforementioned attributes play a pivotal role in building a harmonious, progressive and supportive entity or community. In this due course of constant evaluation of these attributes, individuals are most likely dependent on their emotional and cognitive factors that further highlight the role of key individual differences such as personality, age, gender, and other relevant socio-demographic characteristics.

Additionally, in the larger perspective of globalisation and dynamic nature of organisations, from local to national and international, these interactions form a networking structure among organisations, individuals and groups. All these aspects call forth deliberate discussions. Very particularly, the virtual interactions and networks have been more dominantly relevant and prominent post COVID-19 pandemic. This makes it necessary for individuals as well as organisations to have a greater sense of awareness of how to interact virtually in a fair, inclusive and effective way. With varying levels of intolerance especially in the digital world across the globe it becomes imperative to understand the constantly changing environmental or religious sentiments, emotions or socio-culturally influenced interactions. These factors could affect an individual’s decision making and thus influence their behaviours at any organisational level or system. For example, studies have suggested that emotions might influence fairness-related decision-making in different situations. The constant dilemmas of passing on certain communications that might be necessary but could hamper one’s own position also could be triggered by various factors. Thus, social interactions, networking and relationships are inevitable processes that include many other premises.

Topics of interest for this Research Topic include, but are not limited to the following themes relevant to social interactions:

- Social interaction among individuals and groups and their perception towards justice or fairness and moral values in building a progressive and supportive entity and community.

- The interplay of individuals’ and social groups’ emotional and cognitive determinants and role of socio-cultural interactions in decision making.

- Moral dilemmas in interpersonal and organizational communication in today’s digital era.

- Collaboration and network governance among organisations to meet shared goals.

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Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Conceptual Analysis
• Data Report
• Editorial
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Registered Report
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: social interaction, social network, justice, social group, belonging, virtual interaction, online communication

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