Exploring the perceptions of Professional Editors Guild members on their participation in the association’s asynchronous communication : e-mail

Abstract

The Professional Editors Guild is an online-based association for language practitioners in South Africa and designed the e-mail forum intending to reach out to members that could need professional editing support. Since its inception, there has not been a study aimed at assessing the effectiveness of the e-mail forum at this association. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore the members’ perceptions of their participation in this e-mail forum. This study was underpinned by the Symbolic Interaction Theory and Dual Capacity Model. Issues of Asynchronous Computer Mediated Communication in international organisations and in South Africa were deliberated upon. The literature revealed that organisations still have a myriad of issues to tackle if they are to realise successful communication utilising Asynchronous Computer Mediated Communication. The population consisted of all language practitioners in South Africa. The sample was conveniently and purposeful selected and included all members who had their 2020/1 membership paid-up and were willing to participate in the study. The interviews were conducted online with 11 participants because of the Covid-19 pandemic, utilising platforms such as Microsoft Teams and Zoom, as per the participants’ preferences. After data collection, they were analysed using frame document analysis and the constant comparative methods. The findings were based on the three research sub-questions. Firstly, Association was hailed as a professional association that serves as a professional pillar for its members. Secondly, the members level of participation on the e-mail forum varied. The more experienced members seemed to be more comfortable to participate yet the new members still lack confidence in their ability to be visible on the e-mail forum. An interesting dynamic that emerged was that some previously active members had stopped being active because they were disgruntled and had resorted to forming breakaway groups on WhatsApp. Lastly, the study found that more training needs to be provided to members who may still lack some basic technology skills, this may increase their enthusiasm to participate in the e-mail forum. Theoretically, this study adds to the current discourse on optimal e-mail usage in general.