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Kajian Dalam Bidang Ilmu Perpustakaan dan Informasi: Filosofi, Teori, dan Praktik

a community develops.
In a study by Hildreth, Kimbell and Wright (1996) say that the first CoPs
theory proposed by Lave and Wanger is closely related to the relationships
supported by mere physical encounters because the research of these two
people is done on organizations that do not use the latest communications
technology. The use of telematics technology in research activities allows
“non-physical” meetings, but virtual meetings. In the absence of telematics
technology, the exchange of knowledge and collective practices, of
course, takes place in the same physical space and thus also shows the
visible peripheral physical boundaries. The fact that research activities,
especially in the early stages, require physical encounters that facilitates
the identification of CoPs according to the initial view of Lave and Wanger.
But once there is telematics technology, the confidence given to WhatsApp
to establish a media communication can indeed raise the question of the
extent to which face-to-face conditions can be characterized by CoPs.
In the CoPs theory, the personalization of interaction among fellow
researchers is the strongest reason for the formation and persistence of
the CoPs. WhatsApp technology cannot fully meet this personalization,
although it may help overcome the barriers of distance and time. The fact
in the field that WhatsApp can be used differently, showing that researchers
have not made it as part of their identity or make it a personal tool in contact
with other researchers. WhatsApp is more regarded as a courier facility.
WAGs are less personal, and thus tend not to be part of the practices in
CoPs. Telematics technology in the form of WhatsApp is becoming a more
useful tool for overcoming space and time constraints in research activities
but is not relied upon in the development of more substantial interactions
in research activities. Likewise, WAGs are not a means of scientific
discussion, they can be a pathway to fostering a research network that is
one of the ecological elements in which a community develops.

VI. CONCLUSION
WhatsApp is a virtual space for lecturers as a means of communication
when they conduct research. In that space, a new culture is created where
communication between members is more fluid and informal as if there is no
gap between junior and senior members. WhatsApp Group admin leadership
is very important in keeping communication within its topic boundaries and
in polite manners. WhatsApp becomes one of the important components in
research activities that helps the Research Coordinator coordinate research
activities more easily because most users of this application will open
the application on average half an hour, especially in the stages that are
considered important without space and time constraints.

240 Whatsaap: Virtual Area as a Comunity Hub For UI Lecturers