Applications of innovative Computer-Mediated Communication (CMC) tools and technologies have reached a new height in support of communications in business and education on the Internet. For example, web-based live text chat and co-browsing have been used to enhance the user experience during online customer service. Agents, avatars, and automatic payment systems have been used to assist users in online purchasing. In addition, hyper video and e-books are now widely used in e-learning, and highly personalized user interfaces using tools such as RSS and gadgets are rapidly gaining popularity on the Internet.

Given the novelty of these tools and technologies, the theme of the mini-track is (1) to understand and explore the design, use, and evaluation of innovative CMC tools and technologies in web-based services, and (2) to advance theories and construct theoretical models to improve our ability to understand and explain their impact.